| Good evening, It may be quite a long time ago now, but many of us will remember that gut-wrenching moment when we opened the exam results which we were convinced would decide our future. Good grades and sunny skies were ahead - three years at university followed by a well-paid job and a happy ever after. Poor grades and there was a nightmare ahead.... Of course, nothing is ever that clear cut, but remembering the perspective of my 18-year-old self, I feel for those youngsters who are devastated by the contents of that little envelope. Not only have they had to deal with the effects of a pandemic which has changed all our lives beyond recognition. It now appears that some of them have been denied the grades predicted for them by their teachers and been downgraded. What is the point of downgrading these pupils? Yes, some may have been given higher grades than they would have achieved in an exam. But it might also mean they are given opportunities which may not have come their way. Surely this year, they deserve that bit of good fortune? Until next time, take care, Gillian Parkinson Editor | 
