Some thoughts on
GCSE results day:
[1] Despite pressure
on schools to the contrary, this is not a
competition. Despite the turmoil government has created for teachers to
work in, GCSEs ought to be a way of guaranteeing a certain breadth of
education, and part of a discernment process enabling our children to discover
what they want to pursue further. So firstly, a heart-felt thank you to all teachers who do their best to achieve this despite
everything.
[2] Children excel at different things. For
some of our children, today will not be a day of celebration: they will have
other days, to be celebrated, which we must not fail to mark. But for some of
our children, academic study is their
opportunity to shine. If that is your child, celebrate them, and with them,
today. If it is your friend’s child, rejoice with those who rejoice.
[3] As already stated, GCSEs are part of a
discernment process, of vocational discovery. Rather than downplay this day, or
over-emphasise all the other aspects of our children that GCSEs do not help
determine—such as character traits which matter regardless of what you do in
life—we need to see this as an opportunity to engage in that process.
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