By Rachel, Managing Director
So, GCSEs are done!
As a former journalist, Results Day was always a fixture in my calendar. Every summer I’d be reporting on the celebrations, the nerves and the next steps for students across the country.
This year, though, feels very different. This week, my son finished his GCSEs. Spanish is his final exam, and while some students have already started their summer of freedom, we’re just crossing the finish line.
Like many parents, I’ve watched him navigate the ups and downs of exam season with the support of his teachers and friends. And while students have their own support networks, parents seem to build one too! Throughout the past few weeks, I’ve exchanged countless messages with other mums who are all going through the same thing, sharing tips, encouragement and the occasional moment of panic.
It turns out we’re not alone. Research from Aviva last year found that 79% of parents feel stressed or anxious during exam season, compared with 47% of the young people actually sitting the exams. Despite that, parents across the country are doing everything they can to help, from encouraging good sleep and healthy eating to creating revision timetables and reducing distractions at home. Reassuringly, 92% of young people said they feel supported by their parents.
At the start of exam season, I was determined to do everything “right”. Breakfasts featured blueberries, Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and pumpkin seeds – the full superfood treatment. As the weeks rolled on, that gradually evolved into lemon curd yoghurt and an espresso!
Then came the custard slices. I blame study leave and the fact that I was picking him up from exams near a supermarket. Somehow, a post-exam custard slice became part of the routine. In fact, it quickly turned into the question I heard most often: “Have you got my sweet treat?” For the record, he’s had two after every exam. Please don’t judge me!
Interestingly, the same Aviva research found that 71% of young people are motivated by rewards and incentives. So perhaps the custard slices weren’t such a bad idea after all!
While all this has been happening, my team at Athene have been hard at work preparing to support the many academies we work with on GCSE and A-level results days. It’s one of the busiest and most important times of our year. Last year alone, across the two results days, we secured more than 100 pieces of broadcast, print and digital coverage for our clients and created over 85 graphics, videos and social media posts to help schools and trusts celebrate their students’ achievements and share their success stories.
But on results day this August, I’ll be approaching things a little differently. For one day, I won’t be the Managing Director of Athene – I’ll simply be a mum.
Whatever the outcome, I already know one thing for certain: I am hugely grateful to every teacher who has supported my son from Reception right through to Year 11. Their patience, dedication and encouragement have helped shape the young person he is today.
For now, though, I’m simply breathing a sigh of relief that the exams are over. What will be, will be.
That said, I have two children – one is 16 and the other is 15 – so, while this chapter is closing, I’ll be doing it all over again in 2027.
I suspect the GCSE teaching community feels much the same!
If you need any help, take a look at how we support schools on Results Day here.
