I don’t really remember getting my O Level results. It was probably via phone. I remember failing French by two marks, getting an A in Greek History, and passing everything else with Bs and Cs. Today my son received his GCSE grades, and I think he’ll remember them far more clearly.
From the stress of mocks to school closures, home-schooling, teacher predictions, algorithm disasters and last-minute U-turns, he ran home elated.
I’m proud of what he’s achieved and relieved he has more than enough points for Sixth Form (he needed 52 from his top eight subjects). What happens next matters more, and at least he has two years before the next results day.
Don’t call them the “Covid kids”, why attach a negative label? Don’t complain about “grade inflation”. You might as well start with “It was tougher back in my day…” Any student who sat any exam and got any result earned top marks for resilience. I’m not sure that was part of our syllabus.
I think I’ll refer to my son’s success as the “Class of 78”. Sounds quite cool.
