As A-levels results day (August 15) draws closer, anxiety in households across the UK is bound to heighten. Professor Alan Smithers , director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, has predicted that the percentage of UK A-level entries awarded an A or A* grade will fall again this year as part of continued efforts to restore pre-pandemic grading. So here is some advice in case your child doesn’t get the grades that they hoped for on Thursday.
.. Take a deep breath Stay calm and collected.
“Don’t panic and take a deep breath,” advises Ruth Duckworth, parenting coach at Action for Children’s Parent Talk service. “Results day is stressful enough and adding to their disappointment will make things worse.” Offer support and reassurance “It’s essential to give your child a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space to vent their disappointment and frustration to you,” says Duckworth.
“Getting lower A-level results than expected isn’t the end of the world, so let your teenager know that your pride in them goes beyond any grade.” Avoid comparison “Your child will start comparing themselves to their classmates or siblings if their results aren’t as good as they expected,” says Harriet Finlayson, specialist mental health nurse at Bupa . “However it’s important to note that doing so can make them feel worse.
Remind them of their own achievements which may sit outside of academia. Duckworth adds: “Encour.