Beyond the Grades – Beth’s Next Chapter

A few months ago, I wrote about how proud I was that Beth had even sat her GCSEs. At the time, I said I didn’t care about the results — because the real achievement was her resilience: turning up every day, facing her fears, and completing them.

Well, a few weeks ago she got her results. And she didn’t just scrape through — she exceeded all expectations, achieving grade 5s and above across the board.

Honestly, I feel conflicted. On one hand, I still stand by what I wrote: the grades aren’t the most important part of Beth’s story. On the other hand, this achievement is nothing short of epic.

From a child who cried most mornings in February, unable to face school, to now — with results that open the door to further education and future opportunities. It’s a turnaround I could barely have imagined.

Beth has already decided on her next steps. She wants to work in schools, focusing on SEN, and she’s eager to take courses to prepare her for that journey. She’s even started Citizenship, learning about politics — and her latest idea? To launch a campaign to government about how schools are not fit for purpose for SEN children.

The Power of Neurodiverse Thinking

Something I’ve come to realise — and still sometimes wrestle with — is the way neurodiversity shows up as both a challenge and a strength. For years, I struggled with Beth’s drive, her “fixed” way of seeing the world, and her determination to stick to what she believes. At times it was exhausting, and it often clashed with how school and society expect children to think.

But now, I see it differently. That very drive, that laser focus, that refusal to back down — it’s her superpower. It’s what got her through her GCSEs against all odds. It’s what fuels her vision to make schools better for children like her. And it’s what will carry her forward as she builds her own path.

Neurodiverse children are often asked to “fit” into systems not designed for them. But maybe it’s the systems that need to flex — because that so-called rigidity or stubbornness is, in fact, resilience. It’s vision. It’s passion. And if harnessed, it can change the world.

What’s Next

So while the results are something to celebrate, the real story is what comes next. Beth has the qualifications she needs to move forward. But more importantly, she has belief in herself, a voice she’s not afraid to use, and a determination to create change.

And if you know Beth, you’ll know she’ll do exactly what she said on that car ride home after her last exam:

“I know I can. And I will.”