GCSE and A level students across Dudley borough can get free support and advice as they prepare to get their results over the next two weeks.

Dudley Council’s Connexions team supports young people on their journey through education, training and employment and is providing virtual support to students throughout August and September.

They are open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm for students to call and ask for guidance on what they can do next. Advisors will be able to talk through a range of options and opportunities. Stourbridge and Dudley North family centres are open today and on GCSE results day (August 20) from 9am to 5pm to offer support and help young people understand their results and their options.

Stourbridge Family Centre is located on Forge Road and can be contacted on 01384 818780 and Dudley North Family Centre is located on Bayer Street, Bilston and can be contacted on 01384 813096. Social distancing measures will be in place.

Final year GCSE and A level students were significantly impacted by the coronavirus after a decision was taken early on in the outbreak to cancel all exams.

For the first-time student grades will be based on a variety of factors including non-exam assessment and previous mock exam results. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said:

"This can be a nerve-wracking time for students under normal circumstances, but this year’s school and college leavers are facing something none of us have ever faced before.

"The opportunity to finish their final exams and enjoy the last few months at school and college was taken out of their hands and I can only imagine how difficult it has been for them. I’m really pleased Connexions and our family centres can offer this dedicated support to students.

"I would like to reassure those students who may not get the results they were expecting that there is still hope, there are many options still available to them and we are here to support them and guide them through the process."

Students can call Connexions Dudley on 01384 811400 or go to connexionsdudley.org for more information.