IT has been interesting to read the comments made by head teachers and Ofsted inspectors in Guardian articles relating to the 2017 year 11 exam results.

Quite rightly they praise the endeavour and development of students which provided increases in pass rates of up to 25 per cent.

Maybe the picture is somewhat lacking in detail.

Taking time to speak with both students and parents may provide a number of disturbing facts.

There are apparently many, many examples of parents paying large amounts of money for private tuition especially in maths and English.

They are paying, not for A* grades, but to ensure a pass mark.

This is particularly highlighted in top sets where some of the students are said to have needed extensive outside help in order to secure a pass. Costs do vary but some parents have paid a significant amount per month for extra tuition.

Naturally school staff and head teachers will take the credit for the increased percentages in overall pass rates, however it may have been a totally different scenario if parents did not enlist the help of private tutors.

Perhaps the above information presents a different perspective.

Does this letter ring true for parents in a similar situation over the past year?

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