Clearing checklist for teachers

Preparing for results day

Results day is a significant milestone on a student’s journey to higher education. It’s the day they find out if their hard work has paid off, and whether they’ve achieved the grades needed to earn a place on their chosen course.

As teachers and advisers, you play a pivotal role in preparing your students for results day. Students may; earn the grades needed for their firm or insurance choice, get better grades than expected, not get the grades they need or change their minds on what to study, so there’s a lot to prepare for.

All of these scenarios could lead to them looking for a different course entirely through Clearing, so they’ll need support and guidance.

Note: In 2024, results for different qualifications will be published on different days. Scottish Highers results day is on Tuesday 6 August, while A Level results day falls on Thursday 15 August. 

Talk to your students about Clearing

Plan to speak with your students before results day to explain what Clearing is. Encourage them to explore how it works, share valuable resources with them, and suggest they research what Clearing courses are available. Remind them to look at courses like what they’ve applied for as well as what else is being offered.

Encourage them to work out a timeline for applying and ideas for Plan B and Plan C. Even though most students in year 13 or the second year of college have left, they can still be contacted online and/or invited back for a face-to-face chat.

Creating this awareness will mean your students are prepared for any eventuality. Not all students will need to go through Clearing, but they should know how it works in case they decide to use it.

Clearing courses can fill up quickly after results day. Being prepared will allow your students who do use Clearing to still find their ideal course.

Research yourself

You’ll need to know how Clearing works to teach your students how to prepare. Research as though you’re preparing to apply. You’ll then be able to direct students towards useful resources.

Find out too which universities are offering what courses in Clearing. Clearing runs from 5 July to 17 October in 2024. This leaves plenty of time to see what’s available using our Clearing course search, which you can then share with your students. Our Clearing Concierge is also packed full of information for students, teachers, and parents alike.

Encourage your students to make a shortlist of Clearing courses they’re interested in, note down the relevant Clearing phone numbers and even offer to do practice phone interviews with them.

Ensure your students have the following information written down before calling, as they’ll need to have access to it on the call:

• UCAS ID
• Clearing number
• Grades
• Personal statement
• Any questions they’d like to ask

Prepare to support students on the day

Both students and parents will need support on results day. Many students will get the results they expected, or better, but others will be disappointed. These students will be left wondering what to do next, whether they can still go to university and how to find a different course.

Prepare to speak to these students and advise their parents as they’ll look to you for guidance. You can give encouraging words but you should also know how Clearing works so you can point them in the right direction. The best way to help disappointed or upset students is to show them how many other routes they can take and the different options available to them.

Talk to individuals

Your students won’t all be in the same boat on results day. Some will be relieved, others will be confused about what to do next, and a few may change their mind about what to study. They’ll turn to you for perspective so it’s important you show empathy for different students’ circumstances and know the options they have.

Remind your students you’re available to talk. They may want advice in the lead-up to results day, on results day, or after, so offer them the chance to set up a 1-to-1 chat.

Stressful situations are better managed when support is accessible. Being available will help clear up any confusion your students have about Clearing and results day.