Results advice...

Support for young people and parents/carers at results time…

Although, the Summer holidays are now in full swing, August is an anxious time for many young people and their parents as they await exam results – particularly GCSEs and A levels. And with A level results out on Thursday, August 19th, and GCSEs Thursday 26th, it’s lucky that Connexions Nottinghamshire is on-hand to offer advice and guidance for that next important step.

Connexions Nottinghamshire is the support service for all 13-19 year olds – up to 24 for those with special needs. The Connexions Service can help by discussing the different options available to young people in the light of their exam results. Connexions Nottinghamshire can also help with advice on job vacancies, college and university issues and benefits.

If you find that you haven’t achieved the grades you needed to take up a college or university place, don’t worry, there are loads of options to consider including the world of work, apprenticeships, taking a gap year, volunteering or the University clearing system.

Connexions Personal Adviser, June Taylor, says: “When faced with the reality of your exam results, please don’t panic. Whatever grades you've got, whether better or worse than expected, you still have a wide choice of things to do, and there is no reason why you can't still go on to pursue your chosen career. If you are concerned, it can be helpful to talk through your choices with someone who has some experience of the system and who can offer you sound advice - a teacher, parent, older brother or sister, or a Connexions Personal Adviser for example.”

Click here for a detailed guide to UCAS' CLEARING SYSTEM, OR read on for other support...

Young people and parents can access the Connexions Service by...

• visiting local Connexions centres
  
  
• going to www.sortitonline.com
  
  
• visiting www.connexions-direct.com
  The Connexions Direct confidential advice line - 080 800 13 2 19 is open between 8am and 2am, 7 days a week.

Contacts and Further Information:

UCAS – www.ucas.com
Gives a listing of all the courses available and the qualifications you need to get there. Also includes information on applying to universities and clearing.
You can find out more about Clearing by contacting UCAS directly on 01242 227788.

Aimhigher – www.aimhigher.ac.uk
Provides ideas and some great links to help you find the right course. It answers questions on where to go, how to get there and how to pay for it.

Connexions Nottinghamshire provides local, expert advice to all 13-19 year olds. You can…

• contact Connexions or a Personal Adviser at a local Centre – click here for details
  
  
• visit www.sortitonline.com for information, further contacts and links
  
  
• Contact Connexions Direct every day, 8AM – 2AM on 080 800 13 2 19 or by text, e-mail or webchat via www.connexions-direct.com

BBC Radio One – ‘One Live’ – Telephone: 0808 100 8000
Offers free independent and confidential advice from 10-29 August 2004, including a current status on the clearing process.

DfES – www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport or Telephone: 0800 731 9133
Provides advice on the financial support available to students.

Clearing Vacancies:

Information about vacancies and the points score required are published in The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and The Mirror newspapers from the middle of August to late September. You’ll also find details on the web at www.ucas.com and in many schools, colleges and Connexions centres.

The Independent's site:
http://student.independent.co.uk/into_university/clearing/

UCAS & Clearing: For a more detailed guide to the UCAS Clearing process – click here.