This article was written by Damian and published in this week's Herald and Petersfield Post:
"Despite the changes made to the awarding of GCSE and A Level results this week, thousands of students across the country will have felt the same nerves and anticipation as their predecessors.
These results are milestones for young people; the culmination of many years of effort and focus, and the bridge to future opportunities.
Whether the future means further or higher education, an apprenticeship or internship, or looking to enter the jobs market, these are big moments for young people, their parents and teachers.
From the visits I have made to local schools in recent weeks it is clear that our school communities have maintained a really impressive sense of purpose, despite an extremely difficult 18 months.
It has been good also to hear, locally and elsewhere, that many students assessments have also managed despite it all to maintain strong progress – more than would possibly be expected. But that does not diminish the challenges ahead, and we know the effects of lockdowns have been felt very differently by different children and families.
Across the whole sector, from nursery right through to adult education, the disruption has been profound.
I have said in recent debates in Parliament, and previously in this column, how critical it is to take a long term view and to adopt a whole-of-society commitment and response.
We have seen during the pandemic just how important the environment and structure of school is for pupils to progress with academic study, but also to inspire interest and engagement in non academic pursuits such as sport, music and drama.
We also know the role played by schools in supporting the mental health and well being of pupils, and teachers remain at the heart of that connection and development.
The earliest stages of education and development have had perhaps less media focus than the school years. This is a critical period for language and communication but also for learning about friendships, sharing, taking turns, being kind and discovering our place in the world. We must ensure as we rebuild from Covid that this phase gets the focus it needs.
Teaching is a profession full of extraordinary people, who thrive on seeing pupils succeed, and in so many more ways than academic acheivement alone. Ask a teacher about a career highlight and it will often be a child whose vision of themselves and what they could achieve had been visibly transformed by their time at school.
During my time as Education Secretary I had the privilege to meet and work with so many dedicated and inspirational professionals across the sector: headteachers, teachers and staff. Despite all the challenges, I know it is their determination, creativity and passion that give our children the best grounding."
