How Parents Can Be Helpful on GCSE Results Day

8 Tips from expert Amit Kalley on how to support your young person on exam results day:

1. Create a Positive Environment

Before the results are even received, ensure your home is a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Let your child know that their worth isn't solely tied to their grades.

2. Manage Expectations

Help your child understand that results can vary and that they shouldn't be too hard on themselves if results aren't as good as they wanted.

3. Stay Calm

If the results aren't what your child expected, stay calm and composed. Your reaction can significantly impact how they process the situation.

4. Listen

Give your child a chance to talk about their results, their feelings, and any concerns they might have. Be an attentive listener without immediately jumping into solutions.

5. Celebrate the Positives

If your child achieves the grades they were aiming for, celebrate their success and hard work. Acknowledge their efforts and show pride in their accomplishments.

6. Offer Perspective

Remind your child that GCSEs are just one part of their educational journey. There are many opportunities ahead for growth and success.

7. Encourage Resilience

Use this experience as an opportunity to teach your child about resilience, adaptability, and the value of learning from setbacks.

8. Respect Their Feelings

If your child is upset, anxious, or disappointed about their results, validate their emotions. Let them know it's okay to feel how they're feeling.

So, remember the most important thing is to be there for your child, whatever the results may be. Your support and understanding can make a massive difference in how they navigate this important moment in their life.

This day is about them, not you.

And their results will not define them.

Amit Kalley is co-founder of For Working Parents, an organisation designed help the workplace become more inclusive for parents. By offering a keynote storytelling session based on his own experience raising a daughter with three holes in heart, one-to-one and group coaching, and providing workshops and webinars around parenting, Amit uses his experience and skills to create a workplace that’s more human and where parents get the support they need. A former Deputy Headteacher, Amit is an ICF trained coach and also supports parents individually to become more effective communicators with their children.

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