LISTEN: GCSE Results Day 2026, where to get help in West Sussex, East Sussex and Hampshire

Thousands of teenagers across the South will receive their GCSE results today, with careers advisers urging young people not to panic if their grades are different from those they had hoped for.

GCSE results in the South East are once again among the strongest in England.

Just under a quarter of entries, 24.5 per cent, achieved grades 7 to 9.

That places the region second nationally for top grades, behind London, and broadly in line with last year’s results.

For many young people in Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex, the day will be one of celebration and relief. For others, results may mean reconsidering plans for sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or training.

Elsie Freeguard recieving her GCSE results today.  Credit: V2 Radio's Steve Freeguard

Elsie Freeguard daughter of V2 Radio's Steve Freeguard opened her results today at Ormiston Six Villages Academy, she told V2 Radio's News Editor Philip Keeler it was good news:

But students who don't receive the grades they expected are being reminded that several routes are available — and plenty of free help is available locally.

What should I do if my GCSE results are lower than expected?

The most important thing is to speak to your school, sixth form or college before assuming your plans are over.

If you have narrowly missed the entry requirements for a course you were hoping to take, contact the provider. Students can also discuss different courses, qualifications, training or apprenticeship routes with a careers adviser.

The National Careers Service has a dedicated exam-results service and says young people have a range of options if their results are unexpected, including considering different post-16 routes, resitting examinations or, where appropriate, asking for a grade to be reviewed.

Its free helpline is:

National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline
Phone: 0800 100 900
Website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/exam-results

The National Careers Service is normally available from 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am until 5pm on Saturdays and bank holidays, with webchat also available.

Help in West Sussex

Young people in West Sussex can contact the West Sussex County Council Careers Team.

The council says its careers advisers work with schools and sixth forms and can also accept self-referrals from young people who are struggling to decide what to do next.

Support can include looking at college, apprenticeships, training and employment, as well as helping young people work out their strengths, ambitions and achievable next steps.

The team can also support parents and carers trying to understand the choices available.

West Sussex Careers Team
Phone: 0330 222 7175
Email: CareersAdvice@westsussex.gov.uk
Website: https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/careers-team-west-sussex

The latest West Sussex information confirms that the service can support school leavers who are not in education, employment or training, while young people who have or previously had an Education, Health and Care Plan may be supported up to the age of 25.

West Sussex County Council has previously specifically encouraged young people disappointed with exam results to contact the team for free one-to-one careers advice.

Students considering an apprenticeship can also search vacancies locally and nationally through the Government's apprenticeship service.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Help in East Sussex

In East Sussex, students are being encouraged to speak first to their school careers adviser and can also use Careers East Sussex, which brings together information on colleges, apprenticeships, vacancies and employment.

East Sussex County Council says options at 16 can include college, apprenticeships and employment, with the Careers East Sussex service providing information about local opportunities.

Website: https://www.careerseastsussex.co.uk

There is additional help for young people who are unsure whether they will have a college, training or employment place in September.

The East Sussex Youth Employability Service — YES — is a free service commissioned by East Sussex County Council.

It works particularly with young people aged 16 to 18 who are not in education, employment or training, or who may be at risk of reaching that position.

Advisers can provide one-to-one help with:

• finding suitable college courses;
• looking for training;
• apprenticeships;
• work experience;
• finding employment;
• completing applications;
• preparing for interviews; and
• writing or improving a CV.

East Sussex Youth Employability Service – YES
Phone: 01323 368390
Email: YESEastSussex@cxk.org
Website: https://www.cxk.org/services/youth-employability-service-yes/

The service also works with young people with special educational needs and disabilities. East Sussex's Local Offer says YES can support eligible young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan up to the age of 25.

East Sussex County Council also provides dedicated post-16 transition information for young people with SEND and their families, including information about colleges, employment and preparing for adulthood.

Website: https://localoffer.eastsussex.gov.uk

Help in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council has set up a dedicated exam-results helpline for summer 2026.

Qualified careers advisers are available to speak to students and families about their options following GCSE, A-level and other qualification results.

The service can provide advice about college, apprenticeships, training and employment.

The helpline is operating on weekdays until Friday 28 August, between 9am and 3pm.

Hampshire Exam Results Helpline
Phone: 03707 796 122
Email: careers.service@hants.gov.uk
Hampshire Futures website: https://www.participationandlifelonglearning.co.uk

Hampshire County Council says young people should remember that there is more than one route to success and that advisers can help students understand alternatives if their original plans need to change.

Hampshire's Education Participation Team also provides individual help for vulnerable 16 to 18-year-olds who are struggling to access education, employment or training.

That can include one-to-one support, CV and interview preparation, applications and advice about colleges, apprenticeships, traineeships, internships and employment.

More information is available at:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/participation-lifelong-learning

What if I think my GCSE grade is wrong?

Students who believe there may have been an error should speak to their school or college as soon as possible.

A student would not normally approach the exam board themselves. The school or college can request a review of the marking.

The Government says that if a review identifies an error, a mark can change — and the resulting grade can go up or down.

There may also be a fee if a review is requested and the grade does not change, so students and parents should check the position with their school before proceeding.

Official information is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/appeal-qualification-result/request-review

Can I resit a GCSE?

Yes.

Students can usually retake GCSE subjects, although when that can happen depends on the subject.

GCSE English language and maths examinations are available in November for eligible students. For most other GCSE subjects, students wanting to resit will normally need to wait until the following summer examination series.

Students entering a 16-to-19 study programme who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in English or maths will normally be expected to continue studying the relevant subject as part of their post-16 programme. The latest government guidance makes clear this is a requirement to continue studying maths or English, rather than an automatic requirement to immediately resit the examination.

Talk to your new school or college about the best option rather than making a decision alone.

What about an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship can be another route after GCSEs, allowing a young person to work, earn money and train for a recognised qualification at the same time.

Government guidance says apprenticeships can start from the age of 16, provided the applicant is no longer in full-time education.

Vacancies can be searched by job type and location at:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

The Government's apprenticeship service also offers support on:

08000 150 400

Website: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk

Five things to remember on results day

1. Don't assume one disappointing grade has ended your plans.
Speak to the school, sixth form or college you were hoping to attend.

2. Get advice before making a rushed decision.
Schools, colleges and local careers advisers can explain alternatives which may not have been considered before.

3. Ask about other courses.
A different level or type of qualification could still lead towards the career or further study you want.

4. Consider apprenticeships and training as well as sixth form or college.
There are several post-16 routes, and the right choice will depend on the individual rather than simply their GCSE grades. The National Careers Service provides guidance on the different options available after 16.

5. If you believe something is genuinely wrong with a result, speak to your school.
There are formal procedures for reviewing marking and appealing results.

Useful contacts at a glance

National Careers Service
0800 100 900
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/exam-results

West Sussex Careers Team
0330 222 7175
CareersAdvice@westsussex.gov.uk
https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/careers-team-west-sussex

East Sussex Youth Employability Service – YES
01323 368390
YESEastSussex@cxk.org
https://www.cxk.org/services/youth-employability-service-yes/

Careers East Sussex
https://www.careerseastsussex.co.uk

Hampshire Exam Results Helpline
03707 796 122
careers.service@hants.gov.uk
https://www.participationandlifelonglearning.co.uk

Find an Apprenticeship
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Whatever appears on the results sheet on Thursday morning, students who find themselves unsure about what to do next do not have to make those decisions alone. Schools, colleges and careers services across Sussex and Hampshire will be available to help them look at their options and work out the next step.

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