GCSE results day: Bushey headteacher offers advice

The pre-results advice comes as GCSE results will be revealed this Thursday, August 12.

Lara Pechard is a headteacher at an independent day and boarding school in Bushey, called St Margaret’s School.

Ms Pechard said: “Once again our children have been stripped of their opportunity to sit exams, not to mention to experience the personal satisfaction and growth that comes with such achievement.

St Margaret's senior pupils

“For many, their learning experiences over recent months will have been tarnished too. This is certainly the case for science and the creative arts.

“This is perhaps the most saddening thing as many will have lost enthusiasm for their future paths and may have lost energy.”

Ms Péchard also urged parents to dissuade their child from getting involved in ‘online worst-case scenario chatter’.

Ms Péchard added: “At this point in time, I would urge students to start gently preparing and reading if they know what they are studying at A-Level or university.

Lara Pechard

“Trust the process that your school has put in place, try not to worry and channel any anxieties into something productive that will help you for the next stage.”

Ms Pechard advises parents to focus on the hard work and offer support rather than grades or the disruption of this last year, and keep the attention on the excitement of what is coming – “results are about the future”.

For some, results day might hold disappointment and for others, it will be perfect. Ms Péchard shares some tips below to prepare for either situation:

If results day is disappointing:

• Steer your child towards a practical rather than emotional response if you can.

• Make sure you come into school so staff can advise you. Together you can forge a plan and move forward. This year there are processes for appeals or internal enquiries although they are different to normal.

• Your child might want to talk through their future choices with their Head of Year or a teacher, encourage them to bottom-out their questions and to lead on this. Talk about the possibilities to demonstrate there is always a way through these outcomes.

• Parents in this moment have to be a splendid mix of supporter (ready with hugs but also allow their child to take personal responsibility) and of course serve as taxi driver!

• Don’t forget to celebrate what has gone well, this is an important day so try to find the light in the tunnel.

If results day is spot on:

• Even if your results are perfect, still come into school and speak with staff, celebrate your hard work and achievement, it can help add to a sense of achievement which has been missing this last year.

• Then come together with loved ones to mark this time (even if there are decisions still to make), it is a special point in your child’s life and we will all have to work harder this year to make it feel special.