EXAM RESULT WISE COUNSEL FROM TOP BUSINESS JOURNALIST
Top journalist Jane Hamilton writes for The Sun and The Times and lives in Teddington. Here, she shares her concerns and offers positive advice as she shares the anguish of exam results day.
Put everything into perspective:Southwest London is home to many of the UK’s best schools – from the Tiffins to Hampton and LEH to Waldegrave Girls and Orleans Park. This means the average grades in the local area are among the best in the country too. Plenty of children will be boasting a crop of A* A-levels but nationally, this the exception not the norm – and your child shouldn’t feel less if they didn’t achieve this.
Remember, when they apply for Uni or a job, they’ll be up against people from across the country, most of whom won’t be from such an ‘educational hothouse’ area. Their personality, skills and experience are just as important as the grades.
It’s not about you: Yes, you’ve poured your love, care and attention into raising your child but it’s their day, their life and ultimately their decision on next steps. Would you have wanted your mum and dad dictating your career path? Let them be who they want to be.
Stress is contagious: If it hasn’t gone as you’d hoped, acknowledge it, deal with it quietly and don’t pass that worry back to your child. Be the adult in the relationship and model how to build resilience. Local mum drkathrynkissell.com has some great free resources to help.
Need to reconsider next steps?There are plenty of excellent alternative options. Consider apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships or employer-led Higher Technical Qualifications which bridge the gap between A-Levels /T-Levels and degrees. Find out more at ucas.com/applying/you-apply/what-and-where-study/what-do-next
Clearing isn’t second-best – it can offer a step up, sideways or a whole new route: Some schools support pupils really well but if yours doesn’t, make sure you have the UCAS number, exam results and log-in details for UCAS Hub to hand.
The Clearing site updates constantly so make a list of the target courses / Unis and hit the phones fast. Take the details of anyone you speak to in case you need to contact them later. Got an offer over the phone? Get it confirmed via email with the expiry date.
Working for someone else isn’t the only way: Budding entrepreneur? 22 per cent of business owners under 30 started their business after A-levels and didn’t go to university.
Get local advice and support at https://richmond.gov.uk/business-hub/resources/young_entrepreneurs
One set of exams results doesn’t define who a person is nor what they will ultimately achieve: Your child has a whole lifetime ahead of them – and true success isn’t 3 A-stars but is liking yourself, pursuing your passions, being a productive part of your community and finding fulfilment in your daily life.