If you have received your GCSE results, and you didn’t get the results you’d hoped for, or want to explore some options of what to do next, we’ve got some advice to help you make a decision!

Speak to your school or college 

Talk to your sixth form or college of choice as they might be flexible about their entry requirements, especially if you only narrowly missed your grades. Some colleges may let you retake a GCSE whilst you study at the college.

Resit your exams

You can resit Maths GCSE and English GCSE exams in autumn of each year, usually around November.

If the results you got weren’t what you were expecting or hoping for, speak to your sixth form or college to decide when it’s the best time for you to resit any GCSE exam.

Think about a different path

Entry requirements can vary depending on what college or course you are looking at. Ask your school for advice on changing courses or speak to different colleges in the area who may have different entry requirements.

Derby City personal advisers, based in Early Help teams across the city, play a key role in supporting young people as they transition from school into further education, training, or employment. They provide guidance to help each young person explore their options, identify strengths and interests, and overcome barriers to progression. This includes offering careers advice, practical support with applications and interviews, and connecting young people to local opportunities. They also work closely with schools, colleges, training providers, and employers to ensure that every young person has the support they need to make informed choices and move confidently into their next stage of education or work. You can learn more on the personal adviser webpage.

Consider an apprenticeship

If you’re 16 or older, you can do an apprenticeship. Apprentices earn while learning, gaining valuable on-the-job experience that can jumpstart your career, while you receive training at university or college.

You could also progress into a degree apprenticeship from an apprenticeship you start at 16.

There are plenty of apprenticeship opportunities across the country in a wide range of areas. You can look for an apprenticeship on the Gov.UK apprenticeship website or you can read Derby Jobs Weekly to learn about the latest career opportunities in Derby.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

Congratulations to all students receiving their GCSE results today! This is a moment to celebrate your hard work and commitment. If things didn’t quite go as planned, remember that there are many different routes and opportunities ahead, from further education to apprenticeships and beyond. What matters most is finding the path that’s right for you and today is just the beginning of that journey.”

You can find more support and advice on the National Careers Service webpage.

There are lots of ways that you can find apprenticeship and development opportunities in Derby. Derby City Council, as part of the Derby Promise has launched a Derby Employment and Skills Hub to help you gain the confidence, support and skills to move into employment. The Hub, is based at the Council House and is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

You can also find all the latest opportunities in Derby advertised in the Derby Jobs Weekly Newsletter. This is a free weekly newsletter full of training, employment and apprenticeship opportunities.