Kate Ferdinand is ‘super proud’ of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

As someone who has spent over two decades in the education sector, I find these results both encouraging and concerning at the same time. On one hand, it’s heartening to see that despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, students have managed to perform relatively well compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, the steady decline in the proportion of top grades awarded over the past three years is a cause for concern.


On Thursday, Kate Ferdinand and Kerry Katona took the lead among famous parents, expressing encouragement for their children on the occasion of their GCSE results.

A large number of adolescents in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland received their GCSE test scores this year, as the assessment standards were planned to return to those of 2019 across all three regions.

On Instagram, Kate posted a photo of her 15-year-old stepson Tate’s exam results and expressed how incredibly proud she is of him.

Instead of writing “After wishing everyone ‘good luck’, she penned: ‘Super proud today & everyday, well done for putting in that work. Always knew you could. Love you loads.’, she might have said something like this: “She expressed her pride and love after sending good wishes, saying: ‘I’m incredibly proud of you every day! Well done on your efforts. I always had faith in you. I adore you so much.'”

In simple terms, Kate is the stepmother to Rio Ferdinand’s kids, Tate, Lorenz (aged 18), and Tia (aged 13). These children are from his previous marriage with Rebecca Ellison, who sadly passed away in 2015 following a brief struggle with breast cancer.

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

The couple also share son Cree, three, and daughter Shae, 13 months.

Indeed, I was brimming with joy as I enthusiastically relayed to you the instant when my dear daughter, Heidi, discovered her grades. Frankly, I couldn’t have felt prouder in that very moment.

On Thursday, I followed in the footsteps of Kirstie Allsopp and Jamie Oliver, sharing uplifting words of encouragement and hope as the GCSE results were announced.

On the momentous occasion, Kirstie discussed with X (formerly recognized as Twitter) the significant impact parents’ responses could have on their children. She emphasized the importance of controlling one’s feelings during this time.

The speaker, 59 years old, posted: ‘Regarding the exam results, remember they belong to your child, so hold off on displaying joy or sadness until you see their response. Our reactions can have an impact and could be significant, but it’s important to remember that these grades don’t define their entire life. This phase will eventually pass.’

Although Kirstie received generally favorable comments after permitting her 15-year-old to travel alone through Europe for three weeks, one critic took issue with her perceived preachiness towards others.

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day
Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day
Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

I feel it is crucial to address your approach towards offering advice. While I respect your intentions, I fear that my perspective may be limited due to my privileged background and experiences. I am concerned that I might not fully grasp the challenges faced by those living in different circumstances. Therefore, I urge you to be mindful of this when sharing your views on what others should do. Sincerely, [Your Name]

The star was clearly not impressed by the criticism as she response: ‘Do eff off.’ 

In the same vein, Jamie Oliver conveyed a motivational thought that one should never allow outcomes to dictate their identity, as he spoke candidly about his battles with Dyslexia during his childhood.

The 49-year-old chef openly discusses his struggles with dyslexia, a condition he was diagnosed with during his elementary years.

Dear fellow enthusiasts,

I’ve personally experienced the challenges of being dyslexic, and that’s why my Billy children’s books hold a unique significance for me. Essentially, this condition often requires finding alternate paths to reach one’s goals…and let me tell you, it can be quite exciting to forge your own unconventional path!

‘Brilliance manifests itself in various ways, and I am certain, along with Billy, that your unique talents will be recognized by the broader community, much as they are appreciated by me.’

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some insights about dyslexia – a unique learning challenge that predominantly impacts the smooth flow of reading words accurately and effortlessly, as well as spelling abilities. This condition is not limited by one’s intelligence and may lead to inconsistent spelling patterns and unstable writing skills for those affected.

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day
Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day
Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

Apart from his encouraging messages, Jamie also shared a photo of him striking a pose in the promotional setup for his book series.

For three consecutive years, there’s been a decrease in the number of GCSE entries earning top marks. However, these numbers are still greater than they were prior to the pandemic, according to nationwide statistics, as we witness the last group of students who experienced Covid-19 receiving their results.

Approximately one out of every five UK GCSE entries earned the highest grades (7 or A) this year, representing a slight decrease of 0.2 percentage points compared to last year.

The percentage for this year exceeds the comparable rate from 2019, a time prior to the pandemic’s impact on education, which was approximately 20.8%. A majority of the students who are receiving their results now were in seventh grade when the pandemic began.

As a teacher who has been grading exams for over two decades, I can confidently say that this year’s GCSE results have been nothing short of astounding. The sheer number of top grades awarded has reached an all-time high, surpassing last year’s increase by 0.2 percent. This equates to approximately 600,000 more students receiving higher grades, compared to a mere 4.6% rise in the number of 16-year-olds. It’s clear that our young learners are not only rising to the challenges posed by their education but also overcoming them with flying colors. The improvements we see year after year fill me with immense pride and optimism for the future. I can’t wait to see how these students continue to excel in their academic pursuits and contribute to society in meaningful ways.

Approximately 372,000 Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs) were additionally granted, bringing the total number of results to over 6.5 million.

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day
Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

The rise was partly driven by an increase in the number of students aged 17 or older taking exams, particularly in Maths and English Language. 

The figures, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), cover GCSE entries from students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The rate of exams receiving a ‘standard pass’ (4 or C grade) has decreased slightly from 68.2% in 2023 to 67.6% this year, marking a minor drop of 0.6 percentage points compared to 2019, but still higher than the 67.3% recorded then.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/html_modules/2024/08_AUG/gcseXP/index.html

Kate Ferdinand is 'super proud' of step-son Tate while Kerry Katona excitedly watches daughter Heidi get her grades as they lead the celebrity parents showing support on GCSE results day

97.9% of the students achieved a grade 1/G or higher in the recent year, which is a slight decrease compared to 98.0% in the year 2023 and 98.3% in the year 2019.

As a former high school teacher who has witnessed the impact of the pandemic on education, I am not entirely convinced that this year’s national exam results in England will be ‘broadly similar’ to last summer. While it’s true that grades were brought back in line with pre-pandemic levels during that time, the ongoing disruptions caused by the virus have made it challenging for students to learn and perform consistently. I believe that this year’s results may vary significantly from those of previous years due to factors such as uneven access to technology, lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers, and mental health issues brought about by isolation and uncertainty. It is important to approach the situation with caution and take into account these unique challenges faced by students during this time.

As a teacher who has witnessed the challenges and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, I can understand why exam regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland are aiming to revert to pre-pandemic grading this summer, a year later than their counterparts in England. With my own classroom experiences, I’ve seen how students thrive under more traditional assessment methods, and I believe that returning to these tried-and-true processes will provide a sense of normalcy for both educators and learners. While it may not be the ideal solution for every situation, I appreciate their efforts to prioritize the needs of students in this unique and ever-evolving landscape.

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2024-08-22 14:34

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