One Step At A Time Is All It Takes
Reflections on the final six months of compulsory education
1/7/20252 min read
Happy New Year
One Step At a Time is all it takes.
As I watched our granddaughter learning to walk over the New Year break I realised again that it's all achieved one step at a time. Patience, falling down, getting up, looking up and smiling, trying again until finally she's a pro and walking. Her smile of achievement echoes ours. She's well and truly off now.....
I think that should be our resolution for 2025 : One Step at a Time. May I wish you a very Happy New Year.
2025 - the end is finally in sight for our Year 13 students : the end of compulsory education in the UK and the start of a new beginning of real freedom and almost unlimited choice. For the first time, from this summer, education will become a positive choice and opt in, rather than legislation, and the choices are vast. Hopefully, big decisions have already been made last term, and now it is a case of patiently waiting for offers and head down for the final hurdle of learning and then testing. Both the best and worst of times (thank you Dickens).
Having walked this path with so many students over many years, there are a few really important facts I'd love to underline in these final six months of your school journey.
1. Don’t rush the big UCAS decisions
For the vast majority of courses universities have until the 14 May to decide whether or not to make an offer. Students then have until the 4 June to choose an insurance and firm choice.
Don’t rush and trust your gut is my advice. There is a reason you have so long to choose.
UCAS extra offers one extra choice for those who have not received offers or want to reject all offers and try another course. Have a look if that’s you.
Make sure there is a a difference of grades between your firm and insurance choice, it is not an either or. You are only offered one option in the summer, if you meet the grades you lose your insurance, if you miss your grades you lose your firm. Some people think it is your choice after results day, but that is not true, so be wise.
2. Be organised and plan time to chill each day with no guilt.
Make the most of study time at school but also plan in relaxation. You should have at least 2 hours of complete "you" time each day. Use it wisely, doing something you enjoy and that brings you happiness.
3. Make the most of your friends.
Appreciate and value them. School friends are special, never again do you spend so much time with the same people. Make the most of it.