Message to our Year 11 pupils

After five long years of effort, you were meant to complete your exams, celebrate with your year group and say goodbye properly to your teachers and friends. Unfortunately, none of this has been possible.

Over the last few days, a great deal of media attention has focused on how your grades will be awarded: GCSE results 2020 have become headline news before you have even received them.

As you prepare to collect your results on Thursday, your teachers and parents wish you the very best.

COVID-19 may have snatched away your opportunity to complete your school life in the usual way, but it has not diminished your achievements. The sacrifices that you made to devote time to your studies were worthwhile. Your hard work and dedication have helped you to develop into the person you are now and will continue to shape the course of your adult life.

Your GCSE qualifications are important. They will help determine the next course you study, enabling you to secure a place at college or an apprenticeship. Your teachers and parents are really hoping that you do well so that you can realise your ambitions.

However, what we really want is for you to be safe, happy and well. And, we really want you to be hopeful about your future, stay committed to your dreams and continue to believe in the promise of your talents. These things are far more important in life than exams and exam results.

As important as they are, exam grades do not decide how much you are worth. They do not show everything that you know, all the amazing gifts that you have and all the good that you do for yourself and others every day. Whatever grades you receive in the coming days, your teachers and parents know how very special you are – and any exam grades will never change that.

We are – and always will be – very proud of you.

So, over the next few days and weeks, be good to yourself.

Ask for advice from teachers and parents, take time to decide what you want to do next and be passionate in advocating for yourself during discussions with the college or training provider of your choice.

Most importantly of all, regardless of the results you receive, remind yourself that everything will be fine, and your best days lie ahead of you.

You are in our hearts and thoughts over the next few days and weeks.

(Mufti) Hamid Patel CBE
Chief Executive, Star Academies