I think it's a really well written letter and I hope they take it on board. It really struck a chord with me, When I saw the title I just knew that's what it would be about. My school was TERRIBLE for this. University was the only choice. Didn't help that it was a girls school so going into a trade or apprenticeship was literally not mentioned. My husband went to the boys school next door which was even worse. They push academics so hard and neglect everything else. My husband knows nothing about simple DIY and i can't cook a meal. What happened to preparing you for life???
LUCKILY we're both academic and I didn't suffer as it unfortunately sounds like you did. I wanted to go to uni but even then they weren't happy. I needed an A in chemistry to get on my course, my teacher was adamant I wasn't bright enough. Possibly she was right, I got a B in the end but was 3 marks away from the A. I actually got in anyway WITHOUT the encouragement and support I needed off her.
My mum always talks about this as she wanted to be a lawyer and was told by her english teacher she wasn't clever enough. Well she got the grades to get in but by then her confidence was dented beyond repair by this horrible woman so she never go there
I just think teachers have no idea the impact they're having on impressionable young people. Say the wrong thing and BAM, someones life has changed forever. I'm so lucky I had the support of my family and belief in myself, otherwise I wouldn't be in the job I'm in now. My school was "excellent" and I did get a good education there which I'm thankful for but the pastoral care was zero.
Sorry you had to have that experience but you've done so fantastically it nearly had me in tears reading about your mum.
