Nervous teens anxiously awaiting their A Level results can rest assured that they have plenty of future options in Nottingham – whether that’s in education, training or employment.
Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills, has wished students good luck as they prepare to collect their A-level results this week and their GCSE results next week.
Thousands will be getting their A-level results on Thursday 18 August or their GCSE results on Thursday 25 August, and Councillor Sam Webster is wishing them all good luck for their big day.
He said: “I want to wish all our young people collecting their A-level and GCSE results over the next two weeks the very best of luck, and I hope they achieve the outcomes they want.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate pupils – and their teachers and parents – on their hard work, and wish them the very best for the future, whether they are continuing their education, taking up an apprenticeship or traineeship, or entering employment for the first time.
“Whatever the outcome when those envelopes are opened, I’d like to reassure you and your parents that there are plenty of options available. Dedicated people will be on-hand to give you all the advice you need. Schools will have members of staff available to talk through your choices – whether you’ve exceeded your expectations, had a change of heart about what to do next or if the news isn’t what you hoped.”
Students should be prepared to deal with all eventualities on the day. Take a mobile phone, pen and paper, your university or college offer (if you have one) and related paperwork, such as your personal statement and reference. If pupils are unable to take up a place they have been offered, there is the chance to find a new course through the UCAS clearing system. There’s also the opportunity to re-sit exams if required.
Students who do not get the grades they hope for should get in touch with their school or college, which will be able to help them access support and advice to consider all the alternatives.
Advisers can help students consider their options and decide on the best way forward. That might involve resitting some or all of their exams or taking other qualifications.
If young people have just missed their grades they can try their chosen university or college to see if they can still get in, or go through the clearing process to find an alternative place.
Cllr Webster added: “For some students there will be the fantastic news of having done better than expected, but there are also bound to be some who are disappointed that their results are not what they hoped for or needed.
“We would advise students not to panic and jump into anything too quickly. Take the advice and support that’s on offer, do your research and consider your options before acting.”
Futures Advice in Nottingham is a service that has lots of guidance and information for students on what to do next. There will be qualified Careers Advisers available at the Futures Careers Centre, 57 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, from 1pm to 4pm on Monday to Friday for people who wish to call into the centre for face-to-face advice. Advisers will also be available via phone, text, email and Facebook from 9am to 6pm. All advisers will share regular updates about post-16 opportunities on their Facebook homepage. Futures is a joint partnership between Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council and offers help and support to both city and county residents.
The city’s Nottingham Jobs Hub team runs a range of programmes designed for school leavers, including traineeships, apprenticeships and other training schemes that allow young people to ‘earn as they learn’ in more than 170 industries. The Jobs Hub offers training in a range of sectors such as construction, health and social care, business administration, hospitality and retail.”
In addition, there is the annual Jobs Fair in association with NG Teach coming up soon where people can come and access not only employers, but training providers and careers advice as well. It’s on Tuesday 13 September from 10am to 3pm at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – people can download a registration form at the website www.nottinghamjobs.com/
Cllr Webster said: “The council is committed to helping schools improve and to driving up standards so that our children and young people have the chance to reach their full potential and over the next few days we’ll start to get a clear picture of how our young people have performed in their A Levels and next week their GCSEs.
Futures Advice Contact
Telephone: 0115 9601597
Email : info@futuresadvice.co.uk
Facebook : www.facebook.com/FuturesAdvice
Website : www.futuresadvice.co.uk/
Twitter : @Futures_Advice
Nottingham Jobs
Website – www.nottinghamjobs.com/
Twitter – @nottmjobs
Facebook – www.facebook.com/nottinghamjobs
UCAS clearing website –
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/clearing-service-2016