While celebrating strong A-level outcomes, Brampton Manor urged students to use UCAS Clearing, the National Careers Service and apprenticeship routes if results fell short, echoing government guidance that schools must provide impartial careers support from years 7 to 13.
According to the original Evening Standard report, Brampton Manor marked another strong A‑level results day while also stressing the range of options available to students whose outcomes did not match their hopes. The school’s account of celebrations was balanced by a reminder that results day can produce last‑minute decisions — and that help exists for those needing to change course. (According to the report, school leaders encouraged students to consider all routes rather than seeing a single set of grades as definitive.)
“A lot of support and advice is available, either from your school or college, but also through UCAS, if you’re considering going to university through Clearing, and also the National Careers Service, because there are lots of fantastic routes that are out there, whether that’s apprenticeships, university or much more besides,” a Brampton Manor spokeswoman told the Evening Standard. That practical steer reflects the way many schools now frame results day: as a moment for immediate celebration for some and, for others, a prompt to use official systems and local advice services to find an alternative pathway.
The emphasis from Brampton Manor is in line with statutory expectations set by the Department for Education. Current guidance requires maintained schools, academies and colleges to provide impartial careers education and to give pupils access to technical and apprenticeship providers, arranging encounters with employers, further and higher education, and offering personal careers guidance across years 7 to 13. The guidance names the Careers & Enterprise Company and the National Careers Service as national support resources and explicitly recognises apprenticeships, T Levels and higher technical qualifications as valid post‑16 and post‑18 options. Schools are expected to embed a coherent programme so that results day is one part of a longer process of career planning.
For students aiming for university but who have not secured or do not wish to take up their original offer, UCAS Clearing remains the principal route for finding vacancies on courses after results are published. UCAS sets out who can use Clearing, how the process operates on results day and the practical steps applicants should take — including preparing a list of preferred courses, contacting institutions by phone and using the UCAS Exam Results Helpline for free advice. The government’s guidance also summarises the mechanics of Clearing, including who is automatically entered, how to search for courses with places and the rule that applicants can accept only one Clearing offer once it is confirmed.
For those weighing options beyond university, the National Careers Service offers free, impartial information, advice and guidance for people aged 13 and over in England. The service provides online tools and job profiles, skills assessments, and the option to speak to trained advisers by phone or web chat. Its materials cover a wide range of topics relevant on results day — from post‑16 and post‑18 study choices to gap years, vocational training and support for people with special educational needs or disabilities — and are designed to help young people and their families make informed next steps.
Apprenticeships are routinely presented alongside university as mainstream routes. The government’s Find an apprenticeship service lists live vacancies, explains apprenticeship levels and eligibility, and offers practical application and interview guidance — emphasising that apprentices earn while they learn and gain recognised qualifications. The Department for Education’s careers guidance specifically requires schools to include apprenticeships and other technical pathways when advising pupils, reinforcing that academic and vocational routes should be treated with equal standing.
The practical takeaway for students and families is clear: use the support on offer. Contact your school or college careers lead, consult UCAS and, if necessary, call the UCAS Exam Results Helpline; explore the National Careers Service’s tools and adviser support; and search apprenticeship vacancies through the government portal. Schools are legally obliged to run coherent careers programmes and to facilitate employer and training‑provider encounters, so pupils should expect active help rather than being left to navigate results day alone. In short, a single set of grades need not close doors — it can reframe the conversation about what comes next.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/brampton-manor-alevel-success-london-b1242919.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools/careers-guidance-and-access-for-education-and-training-providers – This Department for Education statutory guidance explains that maintained schools, academies and colleges must provide impartial careers education and enable access to technical and apprenticeship providers. It sets out legal duties, the updated Gatsby Benchmarks and expectations for governors, senior leaders and careers staff to run a coherent careers programme across years 7 to 13. The document requires institutions to arrange encounters with employers, further and higher education, and personal guidance for pupils. It names the Careers & Enterprise Company and the National Careers Service as national support and stresses inclusion of apprenticeships, T Levels and higher technical qualifications as valid post‑16 and post‑18 routes.
- https://www.ucas.com/node/5456 – UCAS explains Clearing as the system universities and colleges use to fill remaining places on courses and outlines who can use it, when it runs and how it operates on results day. The page describes eligibility criteria — for example applying after 30 June, not holding an offer or not meeting conditions — and sets out practical steps for finding and accepting a Clearing place. UCAS provides advice on preparing for Clearing, top tips for contacting institutions and a helpline for students needing guidance when their exam results are below expectations. It emphasises Clearing’s role in offering alternative routes to higher education.
- https://www.gov.uk/university-clearing-through-ucas – This GOV.UK information page summarises how Clearing works via UCAS for applicants who do not secure or wish to change their university place. It lists who can use Clearing, explains the typical Clearing period and how to find courses with vacancies, and reminds applicants they can only accept one offer when confirmed. The page highlights practical help, including the UCAS Exam Results Helpline telephone number for free advice if exam outcomes are not as expected. It also explains automatic entry into Clearing for late applicants and offers concise guidance for contacting universities and colleges about available places after results.
- https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/about-us/about-us – The National Careers Service describes itself as a free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance service available to people aged 13 and over in England. The page outlines services including online tools, job profiles, skills assessments and the option to speak to trained careers advisers by phone or web chat. It emphasises support for citizens at every career stage and for intermediaries such as parents and teachers, and notes the service’s role in helping users choose learning, training and work options. The site highlights its aim to enable self‑service as well as providing personalised adviser support where needed.
- https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice – This National Careers Service hub explains the breadth of careers advice available, from choosing education routes after school to planning career changes and finding jobs. The page lists practical topics covered — post‑16 and post‑18 options, study and training advice for those with special educational needs or disabilities, gap year guidance, postgraduate study, and support for redundancy. It points users towards skills assessments, career exploration tools, job profiles and local courses, and details how to contact an adviser by phone or web chat for more personalised help. The advice is presented as impartial and suitable for young people, adults and those supporting them.
- https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/ – The Find an apprenticeship service is the UK government’s online portal for searching and applying for live apprenticeship vacancies in England. The homepage and search tool allow users to browse thousands of opportunities by occupation, employer and location, and to create an account to save vacancies, set alerts and manage applications. Guidance on how apprenticeships work, their levels and eligibility is provided, together with practical resources such as application and interview guides. The service emphasises that apprentices earn while they learn, receive training and gain qualifications, presenting apprenticeships as a mainstream alternative to full‑time study at college or university.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, published on August 15, 2025, with no evidence of prior publication or recycled content. The report is based on a press release from Brampton Manor Academy, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Brampton Manor Academy’s spokeswoman and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found online. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the reputable Evening Standard, a well-established UK news outlet, enhancing its credibility. Brampton Manor Academy is a verified institution with a strong academic record, further supporting the report’s reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about Brampton Manor Academy’s A-Level results align with the school’s historical performance and recent achievements. The report includes specific details about student achievements and university placements, consistent with the school’s track record.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. It features unique quotes and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and consistent with known facts about Brampton Manor Academy. No significant credibility risks were identified.
