Centre offers free support to parents and carers following the August 2021 public exam results
As school and college students across the UK receive their exam results this week, the Anna Freud Centre is profoundly aware that the pressures which they have faced this year have been considerable. For a young person, finally receiving their results can be a moment of celebration or it can bring huge disappointment. This year, the changes to how grades have been decided may add further uncertainty.
In response, the Anna Freud Centre is offering free, online workshops for parents and carers on how to support their child’s wellbeing at this time. The workshops will be run by Centre experts with a background in both education and mental health support, and will offer parents and carers advice on how best to support their child – as well as opportunities to ask questions.
The workshops are geared particularly towards parents and carers who:
- Are worried about their child's reaction to their results, and want time to reflect and work out how best to continue supporting them.
- Have ongoing concerns about the wellbeing of their child and are aware that new strategies may be required.
- Feel that their child managed results week well, but want help in continuing to support them in the next stage of their education.
Jaime Smith, Director of the Schools Division at the Anna Freud Centre, said: “For students results day is the culmination of many years of hard work, and this year the pandemic has brought new pressures and uncertainty. For parents and carers, it is important to reflect on this with your child and reassure them – perhaps over time – that receiving their exam results is just one step in a much longer journey.
“We hope these free workshops will give parents and carers the advice and tools they need to continue to support their child, and put their needs first. If your child is feeling disappointed with their results and what this might mean for their next steps, having conversations in which you work together to find a way forward will help your child to feel more in control of their future.”
You can also read advice from the Centre for parents and carers on managing results day, via a BBC Bitesize article.