Exam results helpline to open

Help is on hand for West Lothian students when they receive their exam results next month.

Skills Development Scotland’s Exam Results Helpline will open on Tuesday, August 8, as 139,000 pupils across the country receive their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results.

This is the 25th year of the free helpline which offers advice, information and support for young people and their parents, who make a third of all calls we receive.

It will be open from 8am until 8pm on August 8 and 9 and from 9am until 5pm from 10 until August 16. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.

Qualified careers advisers are on hand to help young people who may not have received the results they were hoping for and those who have done better than anticipated.

These skilled professionals have unique access to information on UCAS course vacancies at UK colleges and universities, confirmation and clearing, advice about modern and foundation apprenticeships and employment or volunteering.

SDS acting director of operations, James Russell, said: “Our message for those young people and their parents and carers as the results arrive is not to panic. Everything might seem overwhelming at that point. Our experienced advisers are there to help and have information on all the options and opportunities young people can consider.”

James highlighted the help that is also available at SDS’s network of local centres.

For full details of locations and opening hours, visit www. skills development scotland. co.uk.

National Parent Forum of Scotland chair Joanna Murphy said: “I know from my own experiences that the SDS Exam Results Helpline is a real life line. It offers young people and their parents and carers the chance to talk to someone who is impartial, which helps you to step back and take stock.”

Post- results information for pupils and parents is also available at www. myworldofwork.co.uk.

There’s also information about Modern Apprenticeships and Foundation Apprenticeships, atwww. apprentice ships. scot.