Hampshire County Council is congratulating all GCSE students for their hard work and achievements over the 2020/2021 academic year, and their ongoing resilience despite the various difficulties caused by COVID-19.
The County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Roz Chadd, said: “It has been another challenging year for pupils, parents and schools alike. With the disruption caused by lockdowns, pupils and teachers having to self-isolate at various points over the year, and the changes to the GCSE process, it’s been inspiring to see how people have rallied round and overcome these adversities.
“I wish to thank parents and carers for the support they have given their young people during this time, and I am also deeply grateful to all secondary school staff for the additional work they have shouldered this year to ensure pupils could be properly assessed for their GCSEs. This year’s results show that pupils in Hampshire schools have achieved well yet again – congratulations to you all.”
Last year, public examinations were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and pupils were therefore awarded 2019/2020 GCSE results based on an assessment by their teachers. This year, public examinations have again been cancelled and 2020/2021 GCSEs grades have been based on a revised teacher assessment process introduced by Ofqual – the body responsible for regulating GCSEs and A Levels – in February 2021.
Any young person who has received their results and needs help or advice about their next options can speak to their school’s Careers Advisor or visit the County Council’s Your Futurewebsite, which has information and advice for an extensive range of careers.
On results day (12 August) and on 13 August, Hampshire Futures – the County Council’s careers advice service for young people – will be operating a help phone line on 03707 796122 and a web chat service on the Hampshire Futures Careers and information Service website. These services will be available between 9am and 4pm on each of the two days. Alternatively, students can email the Hampshire Futures team at careers.service@hants.gov.uk.
Students who may be feeling uncertain, anxious or stressed about the future as they move on to college, employment or training can also seek support from Young Minds, who will help to encourage them to look after their mental health and identify when to ask for help. Additional mental health and wellbeing resources for young people, including local support services and free message services, can be found on the Mental Wellbeing Hampshire website.
