It’s GCSE results day—a big moment for every student. Some will celebrate their achievements, and that’s fantastic! But if your child’s English results weren’t what you hoped for, it can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—there’s still time to bounce back stronger, and with the right approach, your child can take control and improve for a resit.

Here’s how to support them and turn things around.

1. Take a Moment to Process

It’s natural to feel disappointed or frustrated. Allow your child (and yourself!) a short time to process the results without pressure. Emotions can cloud thinking, so a calm mindset is crucial before planning next steps.

2. Analyse What Went Wrong

Encourage your child to reflect on the areas that were challenging:

• Did they struggle with essay structure?

• Was comprehension or analysis a weak point?

• Were exam techniques and time management an issue?

Writing these down gives clarity and helps identify exactly what to focus on.

3. Set Clear Goals

Once they understand the gaps, help your child set realistic, achievable goals for their resit:

• Targeting specific skills (e.g., unseen poetry, essay structure)

• Creating a revision timetable that breaks down topics into manageable chunks

• Tracking progress with small wins to stay motivated

4. Use Focused Resources

There’s no need to start from scratch. The right resources can make all the difference:

• Step-by-step guides for essay structure

• Targeted exercises for reading comprehension

• Practice questions with model answers

Even a few carefully chosen tools can boost confidence and improve results.

5. Keep Motivation High

Disappointment can chip away at confidence, so celebrate progress along the way. Encourage short daily wins and acknowledge improvements, no matter how small. Motivation grows when effort is recognised.

6. Seek Support

If self-study feels daunting, parents can help by:

• Reviewing practice answers together

• Quizzing on key concepts

• Encouraging the use of low-cost online courses or PDFs that focus on problem areas

With the right guidance, students can turn their setback into a springboard for success.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If your child is preparing for a resit, our GCSE English Study Bundle and Structure Mastery Guide provide clear, step-by-step support for improving skills, boosting confidence, and tackling exams with certainty. They’re designed to make revision manageable and effective, even over a short summer period.

Remember: one setback doesn’t define a student’s potential. With the right plan, tools, and support, your child can bounce back stronger than ever.

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