TODAY’S GCSE results have been welcomed by schools throughout St Albans and Harpenden, with headteachers applauding pupils’ efforts right across the district.

The Herts Advertiser visited Sir John Lawes, Beaumont and Sandringham Schools where there were plenty of happy faces – as can be seen here by clicking on the photo gallery link on the top right.

And while students across the district gradually come back down to earth after receiving their GCSE results and ponder their future direction, a spokesman for Herts county council (HCC) has stressed that no matter what grades they obtained, there is plenty of guidance available.

Cllr Chris Hayward, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “Whatever the outcome of your exams, there are further options in education, training or work.

“Schools have members of staff available to talk through choices, in case pupils have had a change of heart about what to do next or if the news isn’t what you hoped.”

More information for students can be found at www.channelmogo.org while advice for parents is available on www.youthconnexions.org

Personal advisers will be on hand in Youth Connexions one stop shops and in special web chat sessions to give support.

Also, the national Exam Results Helpline remains open until noon on Saturday August 24, offering a lifeline to students across the UK who may have received unexpected exam results.

The helpline offers experienced, impartial and friendly careers advisers to talk through options. Phone 0808 100 8000.

• A KPMG survey has shown that GCSE students are “ambitious and entrepreneurial” with 70 per cent already decided on a career path.

• But the desire for success at work comes with conditions. Today’s GCSE pupils were twice as likely to prioritise good salaries (66 per cent) over helping others (35 per cent) when choosing a career. KPMG questioned nearly 300 14-16 year olds in state schools between May and June.