As always, there will be those who miss out on the grades they need for the next stage of their education. Some, of course, will be able to appeal these grades - but what about those who can’t and need guidance as to what to do next if they did not get the results they wanted?

Here are five things you should be aware of to ensure you can advise them as best as possible.

1. Resits are still compulsory for maths and English

For all students who did not achieve at least a grade 4 in maths and/or English (language or literature), resits of those exams are compulsory. For students in this position, there will be exams in November. Alternatively, they can resit in the next summer series. 

If a student is not deemed capable of achieving a grade 4, then they must sit another “stepping stone” qualification (see more below). The Department for Education has produced guidance on what funding will be given and for which courses.

2. Students wishing to resit GCSEs must weigh up the time cost

If a student is disappointed by their grades but has achieved the grades necessary to move on to their desired courses, it would be wise to advise that student to take into consideration the time cost of resitting. 

For example, a student who had expected to be awarded a grade 8 and has actually been awarded grade 6 in triple science GCSE will be able to enter an A-level course to study chemistry and biology. However, they may wish to resit their science GCSE if they have plans to study medicine at university. In this case, covering the GCSE content of their science exams will not be detrimental to their A-level studies.

However, a student who expected to be awarded a grade 8 and has actually been awarded a grade 6 in triple science GCSE but will not be studying science again may decide that the time cost of resitting isn’t worth it.

3. Not all A-level courses require study at GCSE

For some students, studying a subject at GCSE is not a prerequisite for entry at A level. For example, students who wish to study art at A level often do not need to have studied it for GCSE, and instead can produce a portfolio of work.

Therefore, students who are disappointed with their grades might be able to find another combination of courses that they can sit based on their achieved grades.

4. Funding for a ‘year out’

In the UK, students must stay in education until 18. However, this can include work-based training and apprenticeships.

It is important to remind students that if they wish to spend a year resitting their GCSEs before beginning an A-level programme, funding for students who are 18 when their course begins may not be guaranteed. For more details, check with your chosen training provider.

5. Equivalent qualifications

As explained above, if a student is unsuccessful in achieving a grade 4 pass in English or maths, there is the option of taking another recognised qualification.

More information on this can be found on the government’s National Careers Service website. It says that those under 18 will “have to retake GCSE English and maths” if they do not achieve a grade 4.

However, it also adds: “Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to take functional skills qualifications instead.”

This is good news for students who have struggled to access GCSE courses. Functional skills English and functional skills maths are online qualifications that can be taken at any age. They can even be taken “on demand” so there are fewer restrictions with no fixed exam dates, and students can take them whenever they feel ready.

Qualifications in functional skills in English and maths are offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel.