SUPPORT and advice is available to tens of thousands of young people across Ayrshire eagerly awaiting the outcome of their SQA exams.

Pupils across the country will receive their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results on August 6.

A copy of their Scottish Qualifications certificates will be delivered to their home address, with those who have signed up for a MySQA account also receiving a text or email the same morning.

And the leading children's charity NSPCC have issued advice for young people and parents ahead of the results.

Advice for young people

For young people across Ayrshire who may not achieved the results they wanted:

  • Ask a teacher, careers advisor or any adult you trust what they think and discuss your options and how you are feeling.

  • Remind yourself of what you did well in whether that be specific pieces of coursework, or other parts of your life.

  • Don’t compare yourself to your friends.

  • If you do not feel your grade reflects your ability speak to your school about making an appeal.

  • Look at other courses or training programmes and apprenticeships that you can do.

  • If you haven’t got a place at your chosen university, try not to worry as there is a chance you could get a place at another university through the clearing process.

  • Take a gap year and do something different like volunteering.

  • Look at different courses that you can do with the grades you have achieved

Lauren Burke, childline manager in Glasgow, said: “At Childline, we know that results day can be really stressful for young people and the wait leading up to it can cause a lot of anxiety. That’s why it is important that children feel supported and listened to.

“It can be very upsetting for a young person not to get the grades they had hoped for or expected, and it can affect their confidence. But it’s important for them to know that many others are going through the same thing and there are a range of options to explore.

“There are also lots of trusted adults they can turn to for help and support, whether that’s a teacher, careers advisor, parent, carer or Childline.

“Every year our specially trained counsellors carry out counselling sessions with hundreds of children across the UK who are worried about their exams and results.

"They listen to the young person’s concerns, offer advice about dealing with anxiety, and help explore the different options available for those who don’t get their desired results.

“The conversation is confidential and no worry is ever too small.”

Parents are reminded that their child may find it hard to talk to them about their results so  patient and supportive until they feel ready to talk about how they feel.

The can also encourage their child to take their time to think about what they want to do next even if it helps by writing down a list of pros and cons for each of their options.

Young people under the age of 19 can get free, confidential support and advice from Childline at childline.org.uk or by calling 0800 1111 for free.