Advice for parents and carers about the stress of exam results

Your son or daughter might be experiencing anxiety, stress, frustration and perhaps even anger if they feel their exams and other assessments have not gone well. 

Encourage them to come to you if they want to discuss any concerns they might have and reassure them that they shouldn’t be worried about telling you if their grades are lower than expected. Being able to have open and honest conversations is vital for your child’s mental wellbeing. 

They might also need specific support from you if they go through Clearing or have to change their future college or work plans. You might find it useful to reframe the situation and discuss other opportunities that might arise. Universities and colleges might be flexible about their offers and there might be other avenues to explore, such as apprenticeships. Could you tell them about your own experiences of school, college or university and their impact on your career/life? What obstacles or disappointments did you face and how did you overcome them?

If they are struggling with anxiety, low mood or stress Good Thinking’s free NHS-approved wellbeing apps, including Clear Fear and Move Mood, might be helpful at this time.

It's always a good idea to find out how your child will be graded – for example, what is the balance of exams and non-exam assessments? Full details are available on the Ofqual and Pearson websites. You can also contact your child's school or college if you have specific questions about results day, your child's grades or what happens afterwards.

If your son or daughter has applied for university, it's helpful to understand how the UCAS Hub and Clearing process works. You might also like to encourage your child to research some alternative options in case their grades are not what they expected. The UCAS and The Student Room websites contain useful guidance and you might also like to read this WhatUni article.

Results day is a rite of passage for young people and normally involves getting together with all their friends and saying goodbye to their teachers. 

Marking your child’s achievements can provide an important boost to their mental wellbeing. How about giving them a ‘Congratulations’ card or a small gift from the whole family? Or perhaps you could cook their favourite meal or invite a few friends for a barbecue or picnic? 

If they are disappointed with their results, be prepared to reassure them. As well as focusing on their grades, think about them as a whole person. You might like to remind them what a good friend they are, how resilient they are or how talented they are at a particular sport or one of their hobbies, for example.