Exams hotline will open for calls on Tuesday

Young people will have access to support with their exam results when Skills Development Scotland opens its helpline on Tuesday (August 4).
This is the 10th year Jennifer Whelan has been volunteering for the Results HelplineThis is the 10th year Jennifer Whelan has been volunteering for the Results Helpline
This is the 10th year Jennifer Whelan has been volunteering for the Results Helpline

The helpline offers information and guidance to young people, parents and carers from 8am on results day and can be contacted on 0808 100 8000.

Next week around 138,000 young people will get the results of their National, Higher and Advanced Higher examinations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Education secretary John Swinney said: “Young people and their families have shown tremendous resilience in coping with the many challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and will naturally be anxious about the potential impact on results.

“You may achieve the results you worked so hard for, but if you miss out on the grades you were hoping for, there is still a huge variety of options available to you. Skills Development Scotland advisers will provide expert advice to help all pupils understand their future education and career choices.”

James Russell of SDS, added: “This year is unlike any other and young people receiving results and their families may be feeling more anxious which is understandable. This is the point when their work and efforts are recognised, our advice and support is available and our message is if your results aren’t what you expected, don’t worry, you have lots of options.

“Our careers advisers are here to help you and your parents and carers with information on all the options and opportunities on offer.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The helpline will be open on August 4 and 5 from 8am to 8pm, August 6 and 7 from 9am-5pm, and August 10 to 12 from 9am-5pm.

Careers advisers will be on hand to discuss options such as courses in further and higher education, confirmation and clearing places, apprenticeships, employment and volunteering.

James added: “We’ll also have advisers available through social media to answer queries if you find it easier to get in touch via direct messaging.”

Joanna Murphy chairs the National Parent Forum of Scotland. She said: “I know from my own experiences as a parent that receiving results is a day of high emotions, both for young people and their parents.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Results day can bring about a range of feelings whether that’s nerves, anticipation, excitement or worry, and for many of us the changes this year due to Covid-19 will have heightened these emotions.

“The SDS Results Helpline is a real lifeline. Whether you’ve received unexpected results, or want to discuss your choices, their advisers can talk through a wide range of options that are available.

“This opportunity for young people to have a calm conversation with someone impartial and knowledgeable helps take some of the heat out of the emotion of the day, and reminds young people and their parents that, no matter what results they have received, there is always a next step available.”

Careers adviser Jennifer Whelan said: “Young people receiving their results have had a very different experience this year. The Helpline and their school careers advisers are there to help them, and their parents and carers who make around a third of the calls to the Helpline, to find out about all of options and opportunities available to them.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is Jennifer’s tenth time volunteering for the Results Helpline. She helps pupils at Woodfarm High School and is based in SDS’s Paisley office on Gilmour Street.

The helpline can also be contacted through social media at My World of Work on Facebook or mywowscotland on Twitter. Information is also available here.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.