It's results day, you're nervous, and your palms are quite sweaty.

As you open up your GCSE results envelope, you realise things aren't the way they're supposed to be. Your friends are jumping for joy about their GCSE results, but you're in shock. You feel lost, and you don't know what to do.

Just remember, you're not the only one who has failed. Last year, more than 35% of students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, didn't achieve a pass mark across a range of subjects which include English and Maths.

But despite that, we can imagine your results have put a dent in your confidence. After all, we've been raised to believe that good GCSEs will set you up for a bright future. And while that may be true, did you know that Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin, left school without any qualifications? If he can turn his life around and run a very successful business empire, so can you.

In this blog post, we'll explore what your options are if the worse has happened with your GCSE results.

1. Speak to your teachers

First and foremost, speak to your teachers. They'll provide you with the necessary advice and will guide you towards your next steps, whether that is appealing your results, arranging a resit, selecting a sixth form college or whatever it is you decide to do.

2. Ask For Your GCSEs to be Remarked

If you are fairly confident that there has been an error, then you can ask for your GCSEs to be remarked. But just so you know, your grades could go either up or down. There is an admin fee involved, which will be refunded if your grades see an improvement. On average, one in five exams that get remarked will result in a change of grade.

Your school will usually submit your request for a remark on your behalf once you've asked them.

3. Make an Appeal

If you received your remark and you're still not convinced, then you can submit an appeal. You can visit the AQA appeals page for more information.

4. Resit Your GCSE Exams via Your School

If you failed either Maths or English, then it is compulsory for you to re-sit these GCSE subjects. You will have to continue studying these subjects until you either pass (achieve grade 4) or have turned 18.

If you got a grade 3 and you want to study full-time (540+ hours) next year, then you'll need to re-sit the GCSE.

If you got a grade 3 and you want to study part-time (150 – 539 hours), then you can take a Functional Skills qualification instead of GCSEs.

If you got a grade 2 or below, you can take a Functional Skills qualification instead of GCSEs.

5. Functional Skills

As mentioned above, if you wish to study part-time or have received a grade 2, then you can enrol on a Functional Skills course. Functional Skills are GCSE equivalent courses where you can gain the necessary everyday skills that employers seek. Unlike GCSEs, these courses are less academic and more practical. Online studying also gives you more flexibility where you can learn at your own pace, and in your own time.

The Learning Station offers the following Functional Skills course. A Level 2 is equivalent to a GCSE grade C:

These Functional Skills courses are Ofqual regulated and nationally recognised as a GCSE-Equivalent, accredited by City & Guilds. You will be taught via online distant learning with help and support only a click away from your online tutor. Plus, you can study at your own pace.

Functional Skills qualifications are highly valued by employers, and they look good on your CV. Also, most universities accept Functional Skills qualifications for those who didn't pass their GCSEs, so that you can enrol onto an Access course (A-Level equivalent qualification).

6. Look at Other Qualifications

Besides Functional Skills, there are also other qualifications that do not require you to have GCSEs.

Sectors like construction, child care and health and social care are in high demand, and they have their own vocational qualifications (shown below) that you can readily enrol onto without having any prior requirements.

Construction

Level 1 in Health and Safety in Construction | CSCS Labourer Course

Child Care

Level 2 Certificate for the Children & Young People's Workforce (RQF)

Health and Social Care

Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

You can enrol onto the above qualifications today with The Learning Station.

Don't Let Your Bad GCSEs Hamper Your Future

Failing your GCSEs is really not the end of the world. There are plenty of options for you to consider as we have mentioned above.

Thanks for reading. What was your experience when you received your GCSE Results? Email us at [email protected]