Wilts Council offers help to students re exam results

With A level results due to be published this week and GCSE next Wilts Council is offering information about advice and support for those who fail to gain their expected grades.

With places via the UCAS university clearing service likely to be more

in demand, and increased competition for jobs and apprenticeships due

to the economic climate, it will be even more important to get timely,

professional advice this year.

“If you didn’t get the results you wanted, there may still be many

options open to you,” said Connexions Wiltshire personal adviser

Jonathan Kingsbury.

“Some of these opportunities may be things you have not considered

before or that you were not aware of. There is likely to be a more

competitive environment this year but that’s no reason to panic or give

up. By speaking to professionals with all the latest information at

their fingertips you can find out more about the choice of options that

may be available to you including clearing, re-taking your exams,

apprenticeships, job vacancies, voluntary work, gap year opportunities

and more.”

“It’s important to remain optimistic and upbeat and to explore all the options before making decisions about your future.”

Young people studying at schools and colleges can get advice from their

teachers or careers adviser during results time, but many Connexions

personal advisers will also be on hand in schools to offer additional

support.

Personal advisors are also available at the Connexions drop-in centres

in Salisbury, Chippenham and Trowbridge and at some outreach centres.

The drop-in centre in Chippenham is at Avon Reach, Monkton Hill. The

contact number is 01249 449900.  Salisbury’s centre is at Milford

House, 43-55 Milford Street, 01722 424400, and the Trowbridge centre on

Wicker Hill, 01225 716450.

You can find the opening times of Connexions centres on the council’s Sparksite youth website and online radio station, at www.sparksite.co.uk

Anyone wanting immediate advice can also contact the Connexions Direct

service. Connexions Direct advisers can be contacted by phone on 080

800 13 2 19, by text on 07766 413219 or by textphone on 08000 968 336.

To contact them online visit www.connexions-direct.com

Exam Results Helpline advisers are well prepared for an unprecedented

number of calls this year. The helpline provides free, on-the-spot

information and advice to GCSE and A level students who do not receive

the results they expect or who don't know what to do next.

Advisers can deal with questions about grades, offers, courses and

qualifications or advice about student finance, gap years or moving

away from home. The helpline is on 0808 100 8000.

The helpline is delivered by UCAS on behalf of the Department for

Education and operates during the exam results period only, this year

from August 4 to 28. It has access to UCAS applicants' information and

higher education qualification details, so advice is also timely and

accurate.

For opening times to the helpline visit www.ucas.ac.uk