Herefordshire Council would like to congratulate all of our young people who received their GCSE results today.

This year’s GCSE results continue to be impressive with 69.1% of Herefordshire young people achieving a Grade 4 or above in all subjects, this is significantly above the West Midlands average of 66.6%. 

Performance in both English and Maths has been particularly strong, with the Herefordshire outcomes in both English and Maths at Grade 4 and above beating the West Midlands and England averages results. English at Grade 4 or above averages at 64.8% for Herefordshire, which is well above the West Midlands at 55.5% and England at 59.5%. Maths is similarly impressive at 65.3%, with the West Midlands at 52.4%, and the England average at 57.2%.

Herefordshire students also excelled in their Combined Science results with averages of 63.6%, compared to West Midlands at 52.7% and England averages at 58.1%.

Cllr Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“Congratulations to all of our young people receiving their GCSE results today. This year’s grades are very impressive and follow on from the success of our A level students last week. 

“Congratulations to all involved, our hardworking students, and to their teachers, school staff and the parents and carers.

“I wish our young people the best of luck and every success in their next steps in life and in whatever choices they make for the future, whether it is in further education, apprenticeships, training or employment.

“It’s important to remember that there’s lots of free support available to students to help with decisions on the next steps to take, including advice for those who received grades that were lower than expected. Our Youth Employment Hub is running a series of drop-in sessions for both GCSE and A level students and the dates, times and locations can be found on the news and events page on the YEH website or alternatively you can chat to a member of the team at the hub by calling 01432 261515 or complete the online referral form and a Careers and Employment Coach will be in touch.” 

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Youth Employment Hub - Free drop-in sessions for GCSE and A level students

The Herefordshire Youth Employment Hub is offering a series of free information sessions to young people receiving their A level and GCSE results to help with the next steps.

Friendly staff will be on hand to provide guidance on further education, career pathways, college courses, apprenticeships and training, plus confidence building and wellbeing.

No need to make an appointment, just drop into one of the following sessions:

Youth Employment Hub, Hereford

Thursday 20 August from 1.00pm to 4.00pm

Friday 21 August from 10.00am to 2.00pm

Monday 24 August from 1.00pm to 4.00pm

Hereford College of Arts

Friday 21 August from 10.00am to 12 noon

Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College

Tuesday 25 August from 10.00am to 4.00pm

Wednesday 26 August from 10.00am to 4.00pm

Thursday 27 August from 10.00am to 4.00pm

The YEH is located at 57 – 59 Blue School Street, Hereford, HR1 2AR. To get in touch with the YEH team call 01432 261515 or email youthemploymenthub@herefordshire.gov.uk

For more information about Herefordshire’s Youth Employment Hub, visit the Herefordshire YEH! website.

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The following organisations offer useful tips for GCSE results day

The BBC Bitesize webpage has lots of useful tips to help students get through GCSE results day.

The National Careers Service offers help with exam results for both post 16 and post 18 options alongside wider careers advice, information and resources. Call 0800 100 900 to speak to a careers adviser. Lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays. There is also an option to chat to a careers adviser through webchat or by email.

Young people can explore their training and career possibilities and find help with working out their options through the Skills for Careers – Young People hub. 

Mental health and wellbeing support

If you need support with your mental health and emotional wellbeing following your GCSE results, you are not alone. However you’re feeling right now, things can get better. The following organisations offer support and advice and there are options to speak to someone on the phone, through webchat or by email.

Young Minds is here to help. Visit the YoungMinds website and view the support for young people page or visit their exam stress support page. There’s also an online support page for parents and carers and a parents helpline.

If you are a young person and you’re struggling to cope, Shout can provide free 24/7 text support. For help, text the word SHOUT to 85258.

Childline offers free, 24/7 confidential support. Call 0800 1111 or chat to an advisor online. They also have an exam results support webpage.

Mind has a special webpage offering information and advice for young people aged 11-18 years. There’s also online information for parents, carers, family members and guardians.

More information about local and national mental health and wellbeing support is also available on Herefordshire Council’s Talk Community Directory.

If you need urgent support with your mental wellbeing NHS 111 online can advise you on what to do next. Alternatively, this urgent help and support in an emergency webpage provides details on how to contact the most appropriate service for your healthcare need.

Young people can also call their GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment or call NHS 111.