Helpline offers support to students on exam results day

A helpline aimed to offer young people support on the day they receive their exam results has been launched.

Students across Scotland are getting ready to to find out their results when the National, Higher and Advanced higher papers are delivered to around 138,000.

The Skills Development Scotland (SDS) free results helpline will offer careers advice, offers advice and guidance for both young people and guardians from 8am on Tuesday.

Education secretary John Swinney said: “Young people and their families have shown tremendous resilience in coping with the many challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and will naturally be anxious about the potential impact on results.

“You may achieve the results you worked so hard for, but if you miss out on the grades you were hoping for, there is still a huge variety of options available to you.”

James Russell, SDS director of career information, advice and guidance operations, said: “This year is unlike any other and young people receiving results and their families may be feeling more anxious, which is understandable.

“This is the point when their work and efforts are recognised, our advice and support is available and our message is if your results aren’t what you expected, don’t worry, you have lots of options.

“Our careers advisers are here to help you and your parents and carers with information on all the options and opportunities on offer.”

The helpline will be open on August 4 and 5 from 8am to 8pm, August 6 and 7 from 9am to 5pm and August 10 to 12 from 9am to 5pm.

SDS careers adviser Danny Ramage said young people will have a very different experience this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: “The helpline and their school careers advisers are there to help them, and their parents and carers who make around a third of the calls to the helpline, to find out about all of options and opportunities available to them.”

The helpline number is 0808 100 8000.