Do I get a GCSE for supporting teens through exams?
social housing residents are digitally excluded.
This tells us that the very poorest in our society are struggling to access the very resource touted as the great leveller, that great democratising force for information and knowledge.
No surprise then that the Education Policy Institute found in 2022 that poorer pupils in England and Wales are “significantly” behind their peers. In Wales, the disadvantage gap was as large as 25-28 months in learning progress. Covid has only made that gap worse.
And then there’s the growing issue of neurodiversity – and the fact that not all young brains work in the same way. Our education system is designed for so-called “neurotypicals”. With a growing number of young people falling outside that box and woefully inadequate services to support those who do, is our current system the best measure of potential or ability?
Neurodiverse people see the world – and therefore approach problem-solving – differently. Big business is waking up to the advantages of a neurodiverse workforce, with many huge brands scrapping degree requirements to widen their talent pool and diversify their workforce. Between 2017 and 2019, employers such as Google, Apple and IBM cut degree requirements for 46% of middle-skill and 31% of high-skill jobs. This growing recognition that talent doesn’t fit into graded boxes is encouraging. Yet, still, our exam system persists.
And don’t get me started on the springboard that private education gives young people. Even when not borne out by grades, it enters the interview room.
As an employer, I’ve interviewed young people with stellar grades with very little self-belief. Meanwhile, I’ve watched those with average grades, toothy grins and bags of confidence talk a much better game – until I checked the CV to discover that their polish and poise cost the bank of mum or dad four figures a term. Should there be equivalence between private and state school grades when there’s such a disparity in class sizes and personal tuition time?
Despite all the reasons the exam system makes no sense to me, I tell my lad that it’s the only system we have. I didn’t invent it – sorry kid! *Gallic shrug*.
This exam season, I extend heartfelt wishes to all the parents assuming the roles of counsellor, chef, coach and cheerleader. May you find strength or solace in whatever form you need.
Oh, and here’s one mistake to avoid (you’re welcome).
In a ham-fisted attempt to comfort my lad and convince him that everything will be over before he knows it, I decided to channel the wisdom of the great George Harrison (because we are united in the belief that he was the coolest Beatle). Little did I know that All Things Must Pass could be taken less as a profound philosophical statement and more as a coded directive from a Tiger Mam.
TEENAGERS, HUH? Pass the gin?