THOUSANDS of teenagers are waking up this morning to open the results of the GCSE exams they took earlier this summer.

Students across the town will be ripping open their envelopes to find out whether or not they have made the grades to take the next big step in their careers.

Principal at New College, Graham Taylor, was just one of the teachers around the town crossing their fingers for the students.

He said: “We would like to wish all school leavers and our own level 2 students the best of luck with their GCSE results.

“GCSE grades are an important signal to employers and universities so this is a nervous time.

“If grades are good, A-levels are a sensible way forward for many but we want to remind students that it’s not the only option and there are different routes into good careers such as apprentice-ships and vocational courses.

“For those that may not get the grades they were expecting, we have a team of people ready to help them look at their options and find a course suited to them.

“We believe enjoying what you do is essential for success. New College welcomes students of all ages and abilities and is committed to helping students to get to where they want to be.”

Meanwhile, teachers at St Joseph’s Catholic College were congratulating their students on the hard work they have invested in their studies over the past year.

Paul Hughes, principal at St Joe’s, said: “We are delighted with the effort invested by our students and they truly deserve the results they have received today.

“We have had some outstanding results across the whole year group, and early analysis indicates that we have exceeded last year’s results, which were the college’s best ever.

“This is testament to the planning and hard work invested by all colleagues during the past two years with these students.”

George Croxford, headteacher at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy also had his fingers crossed, hoping that results would be better than ever.

He said: “We’re looking forward to celebrating with them – hoping the results will be better than ever and that they will reward the students and staff for all their hard work.”

For those who did not quite get the grades they wanted, the Exam Results Helpline is open from 8am this morning with careers advisors on hand to provide impartial guidance to students who are unsure what to do next.

John Carberry, a careers adviser who has worked for the service for over 25 years, said: “A lot of the young people we speak to often aren’t aware of any other options available to them apart from their school’s sixth form.

“In some cases sixth form isn’t the ideal progression for students as the leap from GCSE to A level studies can be significant and very challenging.

“That’s where we come in – to guide each individual on what’s best for them.”

l The Exam Results Helpline is 0808 100 8000.