How to support students on results day

Results day can be stressful for many students as their grades can dictate their future education and career choices. Many students feel anxious and worried about achieving the grades required to be accepted into their chosen sixth form, college or apprenticeship. 

In 2025, the GCSE pass rate fell to 67.4% of all grades in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at 4/C and above, down from 67.6% in 2024. For students, checking their results and seeing grades lower than expected can feel overwhelming, leaving them disappointed, shocked, and stressed about how it may affect their future plans.

To support students through this period, specialist education recruitment agency, Spencer Clarke Group, are uncovering how to support students on results day. 

How to support students on results day

Teachers and tutors play a critical role in supporting students on results day, as it can be an emotional and overwhelming time. It is therefore essential that they know how to effectively support every student during this period. 

Even if a student appears calm or happy, they may still feel anxious, disappointed and unsure about what their results mean. Others may find it hard to cope if their grades don’t match their expectations. 

This is why it is essential to offer reassurance, guidance and a safe space to talk to help them process their feelings and feel more confident about their next steps. 

Offer reassurance and emotional support

Teachers can support students by creating a safe, welcoming environment where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions without fear of judgment. Acknowledging their emotions and validating how they feel, listening carefully and offering reassurance can help students process their results in a more positive, balanced way.  

It is important to avoid immediately focusing on solutions and instead give students time to process their emotions. Once they feel heard and supported, they’re more likely to be prepared to talk about what to do next.

It’s also important to remind students that their exam results don’t define their potential or future success and that there are plenty of alternative paths to achieve their career goals.

Celebrate students' achievements, regardless of grades

It’s extremely important to acknowledge and celebrate each student's hard work and not just the grades they have achieved. Many students may have navigated personal challenges, shown consistency throughout the year or made significant improvements, all of which deserve praise and recognition. 

When teachers highlight a student's effort, growth and consistency, it can boost their confidence and help them feel proud of their progress, regardless of the grades they have achieved. Celebrating achievements in this way can also help students recognise their own strengths and feel more positive about their next steps.

Help students understand their results

For some students, results day can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially if they don’t fully understand how their grades may affect their future plans. 

Teachers can help them by explaining what each grade means, confirming whether the student has met entry requirements for their chosen path and discussing alternative options if they don’t achieve their predicted grades. This helps to reassure students and ease any doubts or uncertainty they might feel.

Discuss next steps and available options

Students who fall short of their expected grades might initially feel as though their future plans are over but in most cases, they still have plenty of options. Teachers can support students by talking them through different education and training options and encouraging them to have a think before making any rash decisions. 

Whether that means choosing a different course, resitting exams or pursuing an apprenticeship, reassuring students that there are multiple ways to achieve their career goals can boost their confidence and help them feel more assured about their future.

Provide advice on sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships, or other pathways

Not every student will take the same path so it’s important to discuss all the options available after results day. Teachers can provide advice on sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships and other education or employment pathways. 

By offering advice tailored to each student's results, interests, strengths and goals, teachers can help them choose the path that is best suited to them, not just the one they first intended to follow. 

Support students with appeals or reviews of marking

If a student feels their grades don’t accurately reflect their performance, they may want to request a mark review or consider the appeal route. Teachers should be available to explain the options available, share the deadlines for grade appeals or mark checks, and ensure students clearly understand what each step entails.

Offering clear guidance on the options available when grades and performance don’t align can reduce unnecessary stress during an already emotional time.

Be available to answer questions and address concerns

Students will often have many questions on results day, whether they're asking about grades, colleges, enrolment or other pathways. Staying approachable and setting aside time to answer any questions students may have can help ease uncertainty and stop students from feeling overwhelmed. 

Even if teachers can’t answer every question themselves, directing students to the appropriate staff member or support services helps ensure they get the guidance they need to make informed choices and feel properly supported.

Provide ongoing academic support after results day

For some students, results day can pinpoint specific areas where they may need additional support to reach their long-term goals. Tutors can play a vital role by helping students grow their confidence, strengthen core knowledge and close any learning gaps. 

Additional tuition support can also help students by improving performance in specific subjects, preparing for exam resits or building the skills needed for the next stage of education. 

Author Bio 

I’m Eva Henderson, Marketing Assistant at Spencer Clarke Group. Spencer Clarke Group is a specialist education recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Operating nationwide, they help schools, nurseries, alternative provisions and multi-academy trusts to find experienced teaching and support staff on a daily, temporary, temp-perm or permanent basis.

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.