GCSE results day: what you need to know

In some of the toughest GCSE papers designed for the most able students you only need to score about a third of the marks to gain a good pass. Our social affairs correspondent Christine Alsford reports.

It’s important to remember that a recent change in the law brought in something called Raising of the Participation Age which means that anyone finishing Year 11 this year will have to remain in some form of education or training until their 18th birthday.

See if you have to pick your results up in person or by post.

Try to get some sleep the night before – being sleep deprived isn’t going to help so keep yourself occupied.

Check what time your school opens as the times can vary.

Advisors will be ready and waiting to guide young people towards whichever future options will best suit those who haven’t achieved the grades they hoped.No appointment is needed – just turn up and speak with one of the advisors.

“We want them all to know that whatever grades they have achieved, there will be a warm welcome and helpful advisors standing by for them at the clearing event”. This may be especially useful if you didn’t get the results you wanted in English or maths.