FOR students who didn’t get the grades they hoped for today, Dr Nick Smith from Oxford Home Schooling, offered this advice.

He said: “Students should get in touch with the course representative at the sixth form or college they applied for. They might say it’s possible to let them on the course anyway, or perhaps find an alternative subject.

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“Alternatively, it might be worth considering less traditional pathways, such as apprenticeships, work experience or a gap year. Such options do not mean that students have to simply leave education behind, as they can still resit GCSEs while working.

“There’s also the possibility of doing your A-levels at home. Many students have enjoyed homeschooling over lockdown and could take the qualifications independently.”