Guidance for Parents, Guardians, and Teachers

Advice for Parents and Guardians

We understand that the lead up to results and results day can be a nervous time. However, there is plenty you can do help prepare for the day and be ready for provide your child with the support they may need during results day and Clearing.

From Wednesday 5 July, Clearing offers a chance for students to look for a place if they don’t have one after they've received their exam results. It’s also the final chance for universities to fill any places they still have available.

Before Results Day

• Advise your child to familiarise themselves with important information such as key dates, what to expect, and how to prepare. Clearing courses are available on the UCAS search tool and on university websites from early July, so there’s no harm in looking to see what's available before results day.
• Encourage your child to regularly check their application on the UCAS website, this is where they can find the latest updates and reply to their offers.
• Make sure they have all their details up to date. This will ensure that they don't miss any important messages.
• Find out how they will receive their results. Exam results are not shown in UCAS. Students will receive their results from their exam centre, school, or college.
• Note down the contact details of universities which may offer an alternative course, just in case you need to contact them about a Clearing place.

When Results are Released

• Stay positive — even if your child doesn’t get their place, there is no need to panic. There will be plenty of places available through Clearing, so encourage them to look at the options available.
• Students who enter Clearing can click the ‘My matches’ button in their application to see a list of courses they’ve been personally matched to based on their application. They’re able to tell universities and courses if they’re interested and their details will be passed to the universities to consider. If they have places they’ll be in touch.
• If you child has been in touch with a university and secured a place, make sure they add it as their Clearing choice in their application.

Guidance for Teachers

Results day is a key point in students' transition to higher education, and as teachers and advisors you play an important role in preparing your students for results day.

Students may achieve the grades they need for their firm or insurance choice, get better grades than expected, or not get the grades they need and change their minds on what to study. Any of these situations may lead to them looking for a different course through Clearing, and they may require guidance and support throughout the process.

How to Prepare

• Make sure to research Clearing yourself and how it works to teach your students how to prepare. Research as though you’re preparing to apply as this will allow you to direct students towards any useful resources.
• Speak with your students before results day to explain what Clearing is and how it works. Encourage them to understand the key dates, share resources with them, and suggest they research back up courses.
• Encourage your students to make a shortlist of Clearing courses they’re interested in, note down the relevant Clearing phone numbers, and offer to do practice phone interviews with them.

Supporting Students on the Day

Both students and parents may need support on results day. Many students will get the results they expected, or better, but others may be disappointed. Be prepared to speak to these students and advise their parents as they look to you for guidance. The best way to help disappointed or upset students is to show them how many different routes they can take and the different options available to them.