Colours
Every GCSE results day my heart goes out to all the students who worked hard but didn’t get the results that their efforts deserve!
I recall vividly the disappointment at my own GCSE grades. My disappointing grades in no way reflected the effort and work I had put Ito them.
Everyone had told me that the harder you work, the better your grades – so on that premise I knew I should be given A’s, but was aware that I had been predicted C’s & B’s, so that’s why I expected (with a glimmer or hope for higher, as I had worked so hard).
I am sure you can imagine my disappointment when I found out my highest grade was a D in English Literature (the one subject I thought I’d do the worst in!) and an E for English Language, all the rest were E’s & F’s!
In 1996 I studied for a year, part time at our local college, had a fabulous GCSE English teacher who taught how I learned! Based on my course work and assignments it was predicted that I would be likely to get A/B grade.
When my grades came through my teacher was disappointed at the result – I however (aware of previous predictions vs results) was very happy to now have an English GCSE at grade C, with a B in speaking and listening!
I went on from there to do more courses, studies and gained various qualifications, eventually after years of study I became a fully qualified teacher and gained an additional specialist teaching qualification.
After a few years off from studying, I have recently been reminded of the importance in keeping ones ‘hand in’, and ones mind ‘active’, so am in the process of enrolling at my local college for GCSE Mathematics – let’s see if I can up that initial 1988 grade as well as I managed to up my English grade in 1997!
So my message for all, and reason for writing this blog is this: whatever your grades today (or in the past) for your GCSE’s, your future is in your hands. Whatever you want to study – find a teacher who teaches you well, get support and make time for studying and homework, and remember you CAN do and achieve whatever you want to with the right plan and support!
Author: Elizabeth Wilkinson 24.08.17
