It’s that week. The week many of our youngsters will be picking up GCSE results; this year we have a record number of students who will be collecting English and maths results. If you are one of our students, or if your child is, I want to say how enormously proud of you we are. I can honestly say that every single one of you has worked terrifically hard and we have enjoyed working with you.

 There are the fortunate souls who will take Thursday in their stride; others will find it more traumatic. It’s not necessarily an indicator of performance, those of us who worry do so because that’s our nature. I collected an MA earlier this year. I knew I had to have passed at some level but that didn’t stop me fretting until the results (Merit) were in my hands. So how can we make he whole process that bit easier?

·         Students, remember you are a whole person, not a set of results. You are valuable for who you are, not a grade. In 10 years-time no one will care what grades you get on Thursday; they will look at how you progressed since then, your work-ethic, whether you are a team-player and any number of other qualities you demonstrate. I’m a great believer that people get where they want to be in the end, although sometimes the route they take might be different than the one they expected.

·         Parents, Pretty much all of that above. Half the workforce out there didn’t do wonderfully in every exam, yet do well in everyday life. If your child fails an exam it isn’t the end of the world. When one door closes you look for another. Many of our young people are crippled with anxiety as a result of far harsher and far more frequent testing than we had. Think about all the times your child’s homework made no sense to you at all.

.      Remember these exams are very new; with the emphasis on the performance in the exam room rather than assessing course-work as well. Ofqual also points out  it will be the first time that students take these exams ‘for real’ and the first time that the teams of examiners go through the full standardisation and training process and do the marking ‘for real. https://ofqual.blog.gov.uk/2018/01/26/gcse-grade-boundaries-in-2018/ You have been the guinea pigs.

·         Focus on the successes, celebrate what you did well.

·         Think carefully about what to do with subjects that have proved disappointing. Ask: do I need this qualification for what I want to do next? Resits are possible, and we can offer short booster courses to accommodate students who need to retake exams.

·         Consider your options for further study. Would a different school offer you better options for sixth form? Would a sixth form college be a better option? Bearing in mind it is a very different way of studying; are you ready for that independence? Again, we can help with study skills. Would an apprenticeship be a suitable alternative?

·         Talk to your teachers but also make sure your heart is in the course you decide to follow. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing, you won’t do as well, and you will have a miserable couple of years ahead.

 
 So, to all of you who have done your very best – well done, be proud of yourself.
To those who are disappointed – this moment will pass and there will be plenty more opportunities ahead.

 
It’s who you are that counts in the end. Be stars!