The anticipation of waiting for exam results can feel overwhelming for young people, and August can be a particularly difficult time.

Students can struggle to cope during this time, with pressure and expectation to get into university or to secure certain results weighing heavy on them. The burden can seem all-consuming and it is important that teenagers feel well supported by their family and friends, and able to share how they are feeling with friends, trusted adults or Childline. Childline receives hundreds of calls from young people who are apprehensive about what is to come.

The uncertainty can be unsettling, especially if they don’t then get the grades they’d hope for, and often they’ll be worried about letting those around them down.

Parents and carers can help by not placing pressure on their children to get specific grades and making themselves available to talk if their child is ready to open up about how they are feeling. Once they’ve got their results, it’s important they feel supported, and that teachers, parents and carers encourage them to take time over their decisions and help them explore the options available to them.

If they are not sure they can talk to anyone they know about how they are feeling, Childline is free, and offers confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk.

Adults seeking advice on how they can best support their child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk

CANDIA CROSFIELD

NSPCC Schools Service Manager for the South West of England