Results day - For Parents & Carers

Getting exam results can feel like a big moment for parents, carers and teachers too.

You might feel proud, relieved, anxious or unsure what to say.

There’s no perfect response.

Your presence and care matter.

You don’t need to have all the answers.

Give them a moment

It’s natural to want to problem-solve:

“What are you going to do now?”

“What are your options?”

“Have you checked Clearing?”

Sometimes these questions are helpful.

Sometimes a young person needs a moment first.

You don’t have to solve the future for them.

You can simply be alongside them.

Ask with curiosity

Try asking:

“How are you feeling about your results?”

“What are you pleased about?”

“What are you thinking about next?”

“Would you like some help exploring options, or would you like some time first?”

There may not be an immediate answer.

That’s okay.

Support can mean working things through together — or giving them space to lead.

Look beyond the grades

You know them as more than numbers on a results sheet.

You’ve seen their effort, character, determination and resilience.

You know the things that don’t appear on a certificate.

If they’re disappointed, you don’t have to fix it.

You might simply say:

“This isn’t what you hoped for. What would you like to do now?”

Or:

“I’m here. We’ll work out the next bit together.”

Sometimes being heard and having someone alongside you is enough for the next step to become clearer.

Keep the future open

Plans change.

Paths shift.

What feels uncertain today can become part of a much bigger journey.

Try focusing on one small step:

What needs doing today?

What can wait?

What would help?

What do they want?

You don’t have to know yet.

And neither do they.

There is time to explore possibilities.

One conversation.

One step at a time.