When A-Level Results Day Does Not Go to Plan

If your teenager’s A-level grades fall short of their offer, find out first where they stand, then help them make the calls in the right order.

A two-minute read, three things to try, for ages 16 and over.

Where to start

First find out where your teenager stands: a place can be confirmed despite missed grades.
If the place isn’t confirmed, help your teenager try the school, the university, then Clearing.
If a university place depends on a review of marking, ask the school that day.
If your teenager has had a low mood for more than two weeks afterwards, or is struggling to cope with it, suggest they see their GP.

The rest of the tip, and why it works, is in the library.

Sources

UCAS, Clearing toolkit for parents (2026 entry); UCAS, Results day; UCAS, Unexpected grades; UCAS, Clearing: what you need to know (UCAS advice, July 2026); Ofqual, What to do if you think there is a mistake in your results, Ofqual student guide to exams and assessments in 2026; NHS, Low mood, sadness and depression (reviewed July 2026)

It goes with

Perfectionism. For parents whose child can’t bear to get anything wrong.
When They Stop Talking to You. For parents whose teenager hardly talks to them any more.

The first chapter you open here is free to read in full.

Free on this subject

School stress. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.
Transitions. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.

The rest of the library

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If you need help right now

If you or your child is in immediate danger: 999 · Go to your nearest A&E · 24/7.
If either you or your child is in a mental health crisis: NHS 111 · England, Scotland and Wales: call 111 and choose the mental-health option. Northern Ireland: call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 · 24/7.
If your child is under 19 and needs to talk to someone themselves: Childline · 0800 1111 · 24/7 · www.childline.org.uk.
If you are worried that a child is being harmed or is at risk: NSPCC Helpline · 0808 800 5000 · Mon-Fri 10am-4pm by phone; email 11am-4pm, seven days a week. An email sent when the service is closed is not received. · email help@nspcc.org.uk · www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/our-services/nspcc-helpline · If the NSPCC service is closed and the concern cannot wait, call the police on 101. You can also contact the child’s local out-of-hours children’s social care, social work or social services team. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you would prefer to text rather than speak: Shout · Text SHOUT to 85258 · 24/7 · giveusashout.org.
If you or someone you are worried about needs someone to talk to: Samaritans · 116 123 · 24/7 · www.samaritans.org.

If you need help right now

Published by Kensington Square Therapy. Company No. 16707111. Written by therapists registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). This page is not therapy, and not a substitute for professional support. The full library is at theparentbook.com.