Parents urged to talk honestly with pupils on drink and drugs as thousands set to receive A-level results

With 26,000 pupils set to receive their A-Level and AS Level results on Thursday, parents and guardians are being urged to speak with young people about the risks of alcohol and drugs ahead of any celebrations.

This is the first year of a full return to pre-pandemic arrangements in awarding qualifications, with students due to receive results of exams sat earlier this year and in 2023.

Figures covering A-level entries from students in Northern Ireland, England and Wales will be published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

While many young people will gather at schools and colleges to collect their exam results from 8am, most will receive their results online.

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Many pupils will be celebrating their results by going out with friends, and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning that excessive drinking and drug taking can be common during this time, and teens should be aware of the risks involved.

Kevin Bailey, the PHA’s regional lead for drugs and alcohol, said parents and guardians should “make the first move” in having an honest and open discussion about the dangers of binge drinking and drug taking.

“If you are talking to someone who is of the legal drinking age, encourage them to take care if they choose to drink,” he said.

“Staying within the safer drinking limits is important, as excessive drinking can have lasting effects on health, such as damage to the liver, heart, brain and stomach. Warn them of the dangers of mixing alcohol and other drugs.

“Drugs can also be used around this time and misusing drugs can cause serious damage to your health and even death.”

He added: “If someone has taken drugs and is feeling unwell, please seek medical help urgently. Young people will be worried about getting in to trouble if they are with someone who is ill after taking drugs but remind them they need to look out for their friends, stay with them and get them help – it could save their lives.”

Pupils will be able to access their Ucas Hub, which will be automatically updated from 8.15am on Thursday, to find out if they have been accepted to their chosen university.

This year’s results come with “no mitigations” as the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), Northern Ireland’s exam board, had previously taken account of the impact of Covid-19.

However, ahead of results day, there have been warnings that fewer top A-level grades could be awarded this summer.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research (CEER) at the University of Buckingham, has predicted there could be around 16,000 fewer A or A* grades awarded this year across the UK compared with 2023.

He has suggested the drop in results will be “proportionally greater” in Northern Ireland and Wales as they are aiming to restore pre-pandemic standards this summer, whereas England had this target last year.

Meanwhile, Ucas figures show there has been a rise in the number of 18-year-olds applying to universities across the UK this year, which the admissions service has suggested shows a desire among young people to go to university.

CCEA has also set up a dedicated results helpline to offer advice and guidance for students receiving their results.

GCSE results will be released on August 22 with 32,018 students set to receive grades.

On A-level results day, the helpline will open at 8am. From August 16 to 28, it will be in operation, Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm.

Anyone with queries regarding CCEA’s results can call 028 9026 1260, email helpline@ccea.org.uk, or visit the Summer 2024 Awarding and Results Days area for more information.

Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers.