GCSE results day has arrived for pupils across Street and Glastonbury, with Strode College opening a dedicated helpline for students whose grades may have left them reconsidering what comes next.

Hundreds of thousands of young people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving GCSE, BTEC and Cambridge Nationals results today, Thursday, 20 August. Locally, Strode College in Street has told students that support is available whether they received the grades they wanted or now need to look at different options.

The college's GCSE Results Helpline is available from 11 am on 01278 441234.

In a message to students ahead of results day, Strode College said: "We know how much hard work, preparation and effort has gone into getting to this point, so whatever results you receive, we hope you feel proud of what you've achieved."

It added: "If you get the results you were hoping for, congratulations! And if things don't quite go to plan, please remember that there are always options available."

Staff are available to help students look at courses and alternative pathways or simply talk through their choices following their results.

The college said: "Whatever tomorrow brings, your results don't define your future. Good luck, we're rooting for you!"

Results day comes against a national picture which has seen the overall GCSE pass rate fall slightly for a fifth consecutive year, while the proportion of the highest grades has edged upwards. The gap between boys' and girls' pass rates has also narrowed again and is now at its smallest since 2000.

advertisement

Elsewhere in Mendip, pupils in Wells and Shepton Mallet are already celebrating strong results. At The Blue School in Wells, nearly a quarter of all grades were at grade 7 or above, while Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet reported improved progress across a range of pupil groups and a string of top individual performances.

We're expecing to hear from Crispin Schoo, St Dunstan's and Millfield soon.

More local stories

• Glastonbury council to challenge councillor over absences
• Street residents have days to comment on 20mph plan

Subscribe to the free Glastonbury Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Glastonbury stories straight to your inbox.