Getting personal on results

How many exam office staff out there have sons and daughters who will be receiving their GCSE and A’ level results this summer? All have friends, relations in the same situation. For some students it’s about getting in and getting out as fast as possible. No drama. No big emotional scenes, either way. For others, if its bad news many do not want their parents, their teachers and above all their mates to see them. For some, its just not cool thing to do.

Some centres put on a bit of a reception depending on the ages of the students. The teas and biscuits are in ample supply with lots of tender loving care provided for all students who need it, what ever the news. Many within the teaching community and the exam office feel that most students do need appropriate support on results days what ever level they are at and that it’s not just about completing a clinical process. Behind every text message or online result is a young person who might feel this is the most important day in their lives and when the news is bad that’s the time when they most need your centres help.

Some student’s feel they are being forced into coming into their school or college to collect results and that they do not need any special help or support. But of course they can be catered for as well. If someone does not want to come in on results days it's up to them to advise on which address to post their result to or confirm who might be collecting their results on their behalf. All the exam office team can do is provide the right environment within the context of their centres needs and respond appropriately.

So as a parent having their daughter collecting their GCSE results this summer one hopes that all will pass without too much tension, on all sides! But of course she is moving onto a sixth form college and one hopes that they will accept her results slip from her school as there will be no hard copy results slips issued.