Steve Rollett, Deputy CEO, Confederation of School Trusts
People who work in the service of others know how important it can be to speak out on their behalf. This is a fairly central role for those of us who work in representative organisations, for whom the ability to speak truth to power is essential. It’s probably true too for the media.
And, of course, there is much to say on exams, awarding and assessment. There are things that need to be said about the process that took place this year, and things to be said about what could – or should – happen in subsequent years.
But today is not the day.
Today we must listen. We must listen particularly to the students who are collecting results, who we hope will be celebrating their successes with friends and family and becoming excited about the next stage of their journey. Bringing this year’s assessment approach into disrepute doesn’t serve them well, particularly today.
Equally, we must listen to those who do not experience that joy today. As in every year, up and down the country teachers will be comforting and supporting those students who didn’t achieve the results they hoped for or needed. As teachers and leaders know, supporting these students starts with listening to them.
And we must listen to teachers and leaders; let’s allow them to get a feel for how these results land on the ground before we do too much telling them how to feel. Let’s listen to what they tell us.
And then we can say anything that needs to be said with a calm, clear authority that does not come at the expense of those receiving their results today.
Nuance isn’t a dirty word. Reflection isn’t weakness.
Today, let’s take a breath and listen.
