Thousands of students receive exam results

Exams - Picture credit: Dods

Thousands of students across Scotland will receive their exam results today.

About 140,000 candidates will receive the results of their Highers, Advanced Highers, National 4 and 5s.

The majority will be notified by post, however a third have opted to receive the news by text or e-mail.

A free national helpline offering advice, information and support for young people and their parents is now live.  

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) said the helpline will be open from 8 am until 8 pm on 8 and 9 August and from 9 am until 5 pm from 10 to 16 August.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Receiving your results can be exciting, scary and worrying all at the same time, and I think it’s important that we recognise this and make sure our young people have the right support available to them, to make the best decisions about their future.

“Moving on from school is an important and exciting step for young people. It’s vital that they know what their real options are and how to access them.

“This free helpline is an excellent service which is staffed by fully qualified and experienced careers advisers who will be able to help young people and their parents answer any questions about the choices going forward.

“If you get the results you are looking for, then that is fantastic. If you do better than expected or don’t get the grades you need this time round, then be certain that there are a huge number of options for you to consider and that there are a number of people available to support you.

“Whatever happens when the results come in tomorrow, remember that it will be a beginning, rather than an end point and if you are not sure or are looking for some advice then please do use this free helpline.”

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “Good luck to the young people across Scotland today receiving their exam results. For many pupils and teachers, the hard work will have paid off.

“However, there will be some who have worked just as hard, but won’t be as pleased with their results this morning. It’s important to remember that a bad set of exam results isn’t the end of the world, and there is support available to young people who haven’t got what they wanted.

“I urge any young person worried about their results to reach out to the support networks in their personal lives or at school, or call the exam results helpline.”

The helpline number is 0808 100 8000.