When is GCSE results day?
GCSE Results Day is on Thursday 21st Aug 2025. Your results will be available to collect in person at your school from 8:00am onwards.
If you’re unable to collect them in person, please contact your school as soon as possible. You’ll need your results to enrol at college, sixth form, or onto any training programme.
What do I do if I haven’t got the grades I needed for college?
Still go along to your enrolment session at college as planned. The college may be able to offer you an alternative course. It’s always best to discuss this and see what options you have.
What if I’m on holiday on GCSE results day?
You need to contact your school before the end of term to arrange for your results to either be posted or for someone to pick them up on your behalf. School may need a letter giving your permission. You also need to contact the college as soon as you can if you can’t make your planned enrolment. Please note – If you just don’t turn up, you may lose your place.
How do I know when to enrol into my chosen college or 6th form?
Colleges and Sixth forms will write to you over the holidays, if you have not received any letters by August, it is best to contact your chosen provider ASAP to make sure you are aware of enrolment slots.
What can I do if I don’t get the results needed to study A levels?
If you don’t get the required grades to study A levels; you could consider doing a vocational course which may have lower entry requirements. Please don’t worry, there will be an opportunity for you. Speak to the college or sixth form first and discuss your concerns, they will be able to advise you on a suitable course.
Should I consider an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a great option if you feel ready to work full time and still want to continue learning. A bonus is you get paid! What you earn depends on wage rates set by your employer. Most recruiters do require applicants to have achieved grade 4s in English and Maths, but some advertised opportunities don’t demand this. For information on where you can look for opportunities, get in touch with Positive Steps.
What do I do if I want to change what subjects or course I want to study?
Attend your enrolment session at the college or sixth form you have applied to and alert them that you wish to change your choices. There is no guarantee, but depending on grade achievements, the colleges may be able to accommodate your wishes.
Is there any financial help to pay for my travel to college?
Yes, you can get free bus travel across Greater Manchester by applying for OUR PASS below.
Is there any financial help available to pay for things at college like uniform, equipment and lunches?
Every college offers a Bursary for students who need financial help. The college should send you some information about this either by letter, email or text so look out for it coming. You can also call your college over the summer to get more information and apply for it. Positive Steps may also be able to offer financial help with things for college, check the website for further information or contact your Careers Adviser.
When do I get my timetable for college?
You will receive your timetable at enrolment or shortly after this. This will be after GCSE results day.
Will I see people from school at college?
You may see people from school occasionally but remember college is a mix of people from all schools, so this is not necessarily going to happen.
How do I get to college?
It’s important you consider your journey to college over the summer and don’t leave until the last minute. You could discuss options with your parents/carer’s family & friends. Some colleges have their own free bus service. All colleges will be able to provide you with the buses/trams and trains that you can use. You can also get more information here.
Do I have to attend college every day?
Each college has their own policy on this. Your timetable will tell you when your lessons are, it may also include some personal study time for you do independent learning. College will let you know when your free periods are, and you don’t need to be there.
What if I need help or support at college?
There is lots of help and support available at college for all learners. Similarly to school they will have teaching assistants, learning mentors, counsellors, first aiders and lots of other roles. They will tell you all about how and where to find this support during your induction in your first few days.
What if I don’t like my course at college?
It’s important that you give yourself a decent amount of time to settle onto your course, it can be hard for everyone in the first few weeks being in a new setting and with new people. If after a couple of weeks, you feel the need to talk to someone about this, you can approach your Personal tutor or Student Services for help. Remember the college will be happy to discuss a potential move onto another course if this is what you want but they can only do this if there are still places available on the course you want.
What if I feel unwell and can’t go to college?
Just like at school, if you are unwell, you must tell the college you will be absent. The college will have a clear absence procedure which usually involves you calling them to let them know.
Am I allowed to leave college at lunchtime?
Many college students go ‘offsite’ at lunchtime to eat or meet friends. You must discuss this with your parents and carers and make sure that you are safe, you must also ensure that you are back at college in time for your next lesson.
What should I wear to college?
Many colleges have a casual dress code and allow you to wear whatever you are comfortable in. There are some exceptions to this, some courses will ask you to wear a uniform/kit, this can include sports courses, hair and beauty, health and social care and childcare. The construction courses will often require steel toe-cap boots and overalls.
The college will let you know in your first few days what they expect/require.
Some of the school 6th forms require more of a business dress code and may ask students to wear suits.
My GCSE results are better than I expected. Can I still do A levels if I haven’t applied for them?
You might still be able to enrol at a college or sixth form. You should attend your preferred college’s open enrolment session and they will let you know if they have any spaces. Open enrolment usually starts the day after GCSE results day. You could try contacting your preferred college or sixth form for more information. Positive Steps can also help with this.
