Beyond the Grades: Supporting Young People on Results Day

Supporting young people on results day

Results day can be an emotional milestone for young people. Whether they are collecting GCSE or A-level results, the day can bring hope, excitement, uncertainty and pressure about what comes next.

For some, it will bring relief and celebration. For others, it may bring disappointment, confusion or unexpected challenges. Even positive results can lead to difficult decisions about courses, university places, apprenticeships or future pathways.

At Thrive, we know that while results matter, relationships matter more.

A calm, connected adult who listens, acknowledges feelings and stays alongside a young person can make a meaningful difference, whatever the outcome.

      

Why results day can feel so overwhelming

It can be easy to see results day as a practical event focused on grades and next steps. For many young people, however, it can feel deeply personal.

Results may become tied to their identity, sense of self-worth, belonging and hopes for the future. They may worry about disappointing their family, falling behind their peers or losing opportunities they have worked hard for.

Evidence shows how significant this pressure can be:

• Two-thirds of children surveyed by the Children’s Commissioner said that homework or exams were the biggest source of stress in their lives.
• NSPCC research found that 91% of secondary school teachers believed their students worried too much that exam results would determine their future.
• During the 2024/25 academic year, Childline delivered 706 counselling sessions in which young people discussed worries about exam results.

Results day is about much more than attainment. It is also about emotions, relationships and the support surrounding young people during a moment of uncertainty.

  

Connect before making plans

When results arrive, conversations can quickly turn to grades, university offers, college places or future plans. Before talking about outcomes, take a moment to connect with the young person behind the results.

You might ask:

• How are you feeling?
• What’s going through your mind right now?
• What do you need from me today?

Young people may also need time to process what they have learned. Adults can feel pressure to move quickly into problem-solving, especially when decisions about Clearing, enrolment or alternative pathways are involved. But taking a short pause can reduce overwhelm and support clearer thinking.

That pause might mean having a cup of tea together, going for a walk or sitting quietly before talking through the options.

It sends an important message: You matter more than your grades.

   

Make space for emotions

There is no right way to feel on results day. Some young people may feel delighted. Others may feel disappointed, worried, frustrated or uncertain. Many will experience several emotions at once. Even better-than-expected results can bring anxiety about change, responsibility or what comes next.

When strong emotions arise, try to resist the urge to reassure, solve or minimise the experience straight away. Instead, make room for what the young person is feeling.

You might say:

• “I’m here with you.”
• “That sounds like a lot to take in.”
• “You don’t need to have everything figured out today.”

Validation does not mean agreeing with every negative thought. It means recognising that the emotion is real and understandable.

   

Listen beneath the behaviour

Disappointment does not always look like sadness. Some young people may withdraw, become frustrated, seem dismissive or appear angry. Comments such as “Leave me alone”, “Why do you care?” or “I’m fine” may be masking embarrassment, fear, shame or uncertainty.

A relational approach helps us look beyond the behaviour and consider the feelings and needs underneath it.

Rather than reacting to the behaviour alone, respond with calm curiosity:

• “I wonder if this feels really difficult right now.”
• “You don’t have to talk until you’re ready.”
• “I’m here when you need me.”

Remaining calm and connected can help a young person feel supported through a difficult moment.

   

Simple ways to create calm 

When emotions are heightened, young people may need help to feel calmer before they are ready for a meaningful conversation.

Try a feelings check-in

Not every young person has the words to explain how they feel. Questions like these can help:

• If your feelings were a weather forecast, what would it be?
• What is the strongest feeling you are experiencing right now?
• What do you need most at this moment?

These conversations can help young people recognise and express their emotions.

  

Create a moment of calm

A short walk, a quiet cup of tea or a few slow breaths can ease tension and take the pressure off talking face to face. You could try breathing in for four counts, holding for four and breathing out for six. The aim is not to remove the emotion, but to create enough calm for the young person to feel safe and supported.

  

Make a “What’s Still True” list

When results do not go as hoped, it can be difficult to see beyond the immediate moment.
Together, write down what remains true, whatever the grades:

• I am more than my results.
• I have strengths beyond exams.
• People care about me.
• I still have options.
• This moment does not define my future.

This can help restore perspective and rebuild self-belief.

  

Explore next steps together

Results day can feel like a defining moment, but it is only one part of a much bigger journey. There are many possible routes towards future goals, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, T Levels, university, Clearing, training programmes and employment.

For young people receiving A-level results, practical decisions may need to be made quickly. Emotional support should still come first.
Before searching for courses or making phone calls, take time to acknowledge how the young person feels. Feeling understood can help them approach decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Helpful phrases include:

• “Let’s look at your options together.”
• “There are different ways forward.”
• “We don’t need all the answers today.”
• “This is one moment, not the whole story.”

When adults remain calm, they create space for more thoughtful decisions, even when plans are changing.

  

Encourage connection and support

Young people should not have to navigate difficult experiences alone. Encourage them to stay connected with trusted friends, family members, teachers, pastoral staff, careers advisers, mentors and other supportive adults.

Online support can also be valuable. Resources such as Peerscroller can offer relatable content and help young people recognise that others may be facing similar challenges.

Connection reminds young people that support does not end when they leave the exam hall or open their results.

  

Results matter. Relationships matter more.

Whatever results day brings, young people benefit from adults who remain calm, curious and connected. The grades achieved on one day do not determine a young person’s worth, character or future.

What often makes the greatest difference is knowing that someone is beside them: ready to listen, understand and explore what comes next. Because while results may open doors, it is relationships that help young people walk through them.

    

Further support

Explore Thrive and Peerscroller resources for practical guidance, supportive conversations and evidence-informed approaches to help young people navigate results season and beyond.

Explore the resources