Students across Preston who have received or are waiting for A-level or GCSE results are being reminded that help, support and guidance is available from Talkzone, the advice and support service.
AdvertisementYoung people between the ages of 12 and 19 can access the support by phone, text, webtalk, email and Facebook.
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It is also available for any young person with a disability up to the age of 25.
The service has currently been extended to be available from 8:30am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 2pm to 10pm at weekends and Bank Holidays.
It is thought that the service could be especially useful for students whose results will be based on an assessment model, rather than exams.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, results are based on teacher predictions of the grades their students may have achieved if exams had gone ahead.
Find a local support group below
Exam boards have used a statistical process to decide on the final grades awarded. These results are based on teacher predictions of the grades their students may have achieved if exams had gone ahead.
Under this system, students will receive a grade based on their teacher’s assessment of work from the classroom, mock exams and extra curricular work.
This grade will also have been moderated and adjusted by the exam boards, based on the national performance in each subject over the last three years.
County Councillor Phillipa Williamson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “I appreciate this can be a very worrying time for young people.
“Some students might be even more worried this year, as they haven’t actually been able to take an exam, and their grades will be based on the statistical adjustment of predictions made by their teachers instead. This is a brand new situation for them, and could add to their anxiety.
“Waiting for your results can be a very stressful experience for some young people, and I urge them to give Talkzone a try.”
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Through Talkzone, young people can speak with trained advisers in confidence and chat through anything that is worrying them, as well as their exam results.
Staff are able to talk about a wide range of issues including feeling low, relationships, or leaving home.
Since it was set up 27 years ago, Talkzone advisers have responded to thousands of enquiries from young people on a huge range of issues.
Options are available for young people who haven’t achieved the GCSE results they needed, or are unsure about their next step.
In addition to contacting Talkzone, young people are urged to contact the college or further education provider that they had planned to attend and discuss the options and courses that are still available to them. Any support that they need can also be discussed.
Young people can call Talkzone on 0800 511 111, text on 07786 511 111, email talkzone@lancashire.gov.uk, access webtalk services at www.lancashire.gov.uk/youthzone/get-in-touch.aspx or www.facebook.com/LancashireYPS
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Would you encourage your youngster to use this helpline? Let us know in the comments below.