It had sat there in the calendar all summer, like a toad brooding under a stone, waiting to trip us up. All plans on hold until the day arrived and we could breathe again, know where we would be next year, whether things would continue as before, or if we needed to scramble around frantically, trying to find a new school/college, or perhaps even a job. GCSE Results day had finally arrived!
We had tried not to talk about it or dwell on it, fearful of anticipating or expecting, skirting around the issue. I know my son hardly slept the night before. I don't exaggerate when I say that neither of us had any real idea what to expect.
We got into the car yesterday morning with set faces, not speaking. What could we say?
'Don't come with me, Mum,' he said, 'I want to do this on my own. Wait for me here.'
He got out of the car and strode off across the school forecourt. I got out too and walked around anxiously. Ten minutes later he reappeared and I knew from the big grin on his face that it was going to be OK. Against all the odds and all expectations, after all the years of gruelling parents' evenings, complaints from teachers, letters home, unhelpful professional interference, he had pulled it off when it really mattered.
He has 10 good GCSE's and has sailed back into the Sixth Form of his school. The show goes on. I am a good mother. Actually, I am an excellent mother. And he is a star.
Oh I am so pleased for him!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of you both yesterday but didn't dare post in your comments to ask...
Cx
Well done. This cheers me up so much. Did he work hard or was it unexpected? And how did you get there. I will be asking for tips in five years time, so keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteI think the waiting is worse than the exams themselves. We've had A levels this year and next year GCSE's again, which means we will have had four consecutive Augusts of waiting for results. Hellish isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathy. How kind of you to remember and what a journey it's been. You know a bit about the background, so you know how thrilled we are. Of course, it's not the end of the story, battles will continue to be fought at home and at school, but at least he has got this far.
ReplyDeleteI hope things are progressing with your oldest. Supporting an unconventional child through the education system is a complete nightmare.
Hello OM. He led us a fine dance throughout his education. Enormous frustration for parents and teachers, a diagnosis, as you probably remember, of ADHD, time out of the education system, massive stress for me, but a good result on the day. I feel as euphoric as though he had a string of A* and As. I also feel vindicated for the times I've just followed my instinct against all professional advice (which was almost all of the time) There's nothing like a mother's instinct. Trust yours. You are more likely to be right than them.
ReplyDeleteIt does cast an enormous cloud over the summer @themill, but then this has been a particularly wet summer anyway. Because of his problems this is a special result for us and all the more precious for that.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you celebrate this moment - well done both of you. I have it all to come.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, the show goes on. Time to build on this achievement. The boy's done good.
ReplyDeleteOh many congratulations - to you both!
ReplyDeleteWell done you both!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will have a smooth journey through, Merry Weather. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mountainear. Let's hope the last Act is the best for him.
And thanks for the good wishes Debio and M&M. New challenges round the corner, I'm sure, but we just keep plugging on.
hurrah! Well done all of you. I'm sure it was a family achievement overall.
ReplyDeleteWe're not at that stage yet, but I've had friends staying with AS and GCSE results due (child a nervous wreck), partner's daughter calling with AS level results and friend e-mailing with son's A level results.
It all seems so much more competitive than when I did it.
Marvellous!
ReplyDeleteLizzie x
Phew and congratulations. You are indeed an excellent mother!
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Thank you Lizzie, PITK and BM. This is a good moment and a long time coming. I can't begin to say how relieved we both are.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to him and you. Good to have open doors for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteVery well done to you both!
ReplyDeleteAnd now the agony is over again, at least for a year or two.
Thank you for visiting me while I was away. It has been a wrench, but I'm back there posting again now, so come and see me when you can.
Yes, SAHD, it is. The longer they are in the education system, the more time they have to mature, and the better the outcome.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beatrice. It was agony. I just hope things will go better for a while now. I need a break.
Will pop over and see you soon.
I was sure that I'd left a comment already. Gremlins at work!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations (late in the day) on the harvest. It's a touch & tense time, more fraught in may ways than waiting for the As.
I've taught GCSE Drama & A-level Theatre Studies for 30 years & each year I await both sets of results with great anxiety. At least most students only have to go through each one once!
Nice to see you again, Dick and thanks for the good wishes. We are now back to school and life goes on.
ReplyDeleteI will come and see you soon, but having a hiatus at the moment.
Well done to you both! I have a much younger brother from a parent's second marriage who just got his A Level results - like you noone knew what to expect - which is sometimes a good thing... and sometimes not! Like your son he surprised us all - for the best! :)
ReplyDeletePS Fantastic blog!
bloody hell, I'm sure getting double figures numbers of GCSEs is just showing off marianne
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly a nice surprise Georgie. Thank you for visiting.
ReplyDeleteRilly, darling, you always have an original twist on things. Lovely to see you again.
Marianne, haven't been to see you for ages - dashing every where. Mine got the same and is in sixth form as well - how proud are we!!!
ReplyDeleteGood news! It's a lovely feeling when stuff goes right within a family...congratulations to your son.
ReplyDeleteIve not been blogging for a while but its great to catch up with everyone.
sounds like excellentness all round. hope the new school year is going well.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your next post, Secretary, and well done to your son.
ReplyDeleteHope you will be back to blogging soon Jan. Hope I will be too! Lovely to see you again and thanks for the good wishes
So far, so good, Elizabethm, although not much work appears to be happening. Not much blogging from me either. Must try harder.
What bright stars you both are. Long may you shine.
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