by Joy Peters
Belinda Dickinson attended her old grammar school on a warm August morning to obtain her A-level results with some foreboding. Although the exams had been completed many weeks before, she had a knot in her stomach. Although she hoped for the best, inwardly she knew that the exams had not gone well and she feared that she would not get the grades required to study Biology at Durham University where she had been offered a conditional place. She had been predicted an A and two B's but only needed an A, B and C. Her form teacher handed her a sealed envelope without any indication of what was contained therein.
With trembling hands she took the envelope to a corner of the classroom and opened it. Her eyes tried to focus on the script. She blinked a few times before the reality became apparent: a B and two C's. Belinda burst into tears and rushed out of the classroom and made her way straight home, ignoring the concerned looks and comments from her friends and form teacher.
Her mother Elizabeth, or Liz as she was generally called, was waiting anxiously for her only daughter to come home. When she saw Belinda's red eyes she was instantly aware that all was not well.
"Oh Mum! I've really messed up. I just don't know what I'm going to do now."
"Don't fret darling - we'll find a way to move forward."
Elizabeth was an elegant woman who looked much younger than her 39 years. She had been tragically widowed five years previously. Her husband had however made good provision for the family and they were moderately well off. Their son John had completed his first year at medical school and seemed very settled. He was abroad with friends enjoying a brief break from his medical studies. Elizabeth worked part-time as a receptionist at a local GP practice. Although the income helped, it was not essential but the work gave Elizabeth an interest other than just being a mother and housekeeper. Elizabeth kept herself in trim having joined a gym and managed to play badminton to a high standard.
Belinda had been devastated by the death of her father when she was only thirteen. It had taken her some months to overcome the trauma. She was like her sibling, extremely bright and soon caught up with the studies she had neglected in the months following her father's tragic accident. All seemed to be going well. She passed her GCSE's with flying colours and it was only in the second year of sixth form that the wheels started to come off. It was probably the hormones and discovery of boys that deflected her focus. Even so, her teachers were confident that she would easily make the grade for her university placement.
Belinda inherited her mother's striking good looks and shared her enthusiasm for keeping fit, although on reflection her motivation may have been to ensure she always looked her best. Certainly she was not as devoted to her studies as she had previously been and in the months leading up to her final exams her teachers had raised their concerns with Elizabeth. Belinda had assured her mother that there was nothing to worry about. How wrong she had been.
Elizabeth and Belinda had over the next few days come round to a plan for Belinda to retake the A-levels. Her form teacher had advised that her university of choice would likely 'raise the bar' and that she would probably need to obtain two A's and a B. Elizabeth had made numerous enquiries and was drawn to a Yorkshire academy that specialised in preparing girls for A level re-sits. The results were apparently spectacular, and although quite expensive Elizabeth thought it would be worth making further enquiries. In particular she was taken by a web recommendation stating, 'This unique facility actually guarantees students achieving the required results with money back in the unlikely event of a student failing the target set'.
Elizabeth made an appointment to see the Headmaster at the academy. The establishment was only seven miles away and located in what had once been a large country house set within an estate of more than 100 acres. It had been agreed with Belinda that Elizabeth would go alone - more of a fact finding mission. This would enable a short list to be drawn up so that they could jointly decide on where Belinda would study for her re-sits. It had already been established that she could not return to her previous grammar school as local authority and funding rules forbade this.
Elizabeth arrived at the academy in plenty of time for her 3pm appointment. She was shown into a pleasantly furnished waiting room. The driveway and the house were most impressive and it was apparent that a considerable investment had been made by whoever had set up the academy. From literature available in the waiting room it transpired that it had been founded by an American company that specialised in educational facilities within the USA and world wide. Elizabeth's reading was interrupted by the young receptionist.
"Dr Lockhart will see you now Mrs Dickinson."
Elizabeth was shown into an impressive office that carried a brass door plate inscribed with 'Dr P Lockhart, Headmaster'. Dr Lockhart introduced himself and dismissed his receptionist.
"Come and take a seat over here Mrs Dickinson." He indicated a leather armchair that was opposite and facing a similar chair that he then occupied.
"I understand, Mrs Dickinson, that your daughter failed to achieve her required A-levels and is considering a potential re-sit?"
"Yes - that's it in a nutshell, Dr Lockhart."
"Can you tell me why your daughter fell short?"
"I'm not really sure. I think she probably had some distractions and didn't devote enough time or energy to her studies."
"That's not uncommon. It is always a great pity when students don't achieve their potential. In my experience, girls in particular can be easily distracted and they need to be kept on the straight and narrow. If your daughter were to attend this academy both she and you would be contracted to follow the strict guidelines, rules and requirements. It is my firm belief that to achieve the ultimate goals that we want for our children we must work in total co-operation. This is not a boarding establishment. We take full responsibility for the girls' attention, behaviour and commitment during the day but we expect, indeed we demand, that the responsible adult takes the same responsibility for time that the student is not within the jurisdiction of the academy."
"Responsible adult?"
"Yes. Each student has a nominated responsible adult - usually a parent or guardian, who assumes responsibility for the student's performance when not in attendance at the academy. As I said earlier, the girl's targets must be achieved in co-operation between me, my staff and the nominated responsible adult."
"I understand. I am a single mother since I was widowed five years ago - so I don't think that matter would be confused."
"Mrs Dickinson, we provide the finest tutors available and methods that have stood the test of time. We are the only institution that guarantees results. Our fees amount to £35,000 for the three terms leading up to next year's A-level examinations. If we fail to deliver the target result, 50% of the annual fees would be refunded."
"What is so unique about this academy?"
"We work in partnership. All parties are contracted to abide by the requirements that are specifically drawn up."
"And if one party breaches their contract, what happens?"
"The Academy repays 50% of the fees if we don't deliver the agreed target result. We also operate sanctions when the student and responsible adult fail to deliver their contracted obligations."
"What sort of sanctions?"
"We have a range of sanctions and punishments to encourage compliance. Rarely, but when I feel it appropriate, corporal punishment may be applied."
"But my daughter will soon be nineteen."
"Responsible adults are much older, Mrs Dickinson."
"Are you seriously suggesting that I would be subject to corporal punishment as well as my daughter?"
"Only in the event of your failure to heed your contractual agreements. Most responsible adults take their commitments seriously and ensure that there is full compliance with the requirements. You would be regularly advised of any concerns about your daughter's performance and we would expect you to take the appropriate actions to address such concerns. Our methodology works well - not only here but across the States and in seven other countries. If the means achieve the ends it surely must be worthwhile? However, it really is up to you and your daughter. If you don't think this academy is for you then I won't be offended. If you do want the focus to ensure the required outcomes then this might be right for your daughter. I'll give you this dossier of general information. Read and digest it. Discuss it with your daughter and if you feel this might just be for you then do get back to us - sooner rather than later. We're in high demand and we are limited to 120 students. If you want to take this forward we would require an initial payment of £1,000. This would cover the assessment costs. This is additional to any academy fees and is not refundable. The thorough assessment includes target setting and drawing up specific contractual obligations if and where we discover weaknesses that need to be addressed in addition to the generic requirements. If you or your daughter have any questions you can either email them to me or I would be happy to see you both, together or separately. I think that you will find everything you need in the dossier. For your information our results for this year, yet to be published, are extremely satisfying. Only one girl was withdrawn and all others achieved their targets."
With this, Dr Lockhart concluded the interview, pressed the intercom and invited his receptionist to see Mrs Dickinson out.
Elizabeth was given a brief tour of the academy before she left. It seemed most impressive. The science labs were new and well equipped. Not all A-level subjects were covered; there were no Arts or Music and there were limitations with certain languages.
Belinda had also been making web inquiries. The local further education college was a possibility but the results were rather poor. There was a 'sixth form crammer' in London that was a possibility but accommodation was not provided. When her mother returned from the academy she handed the dossier to Belinda. After two days of discussion and endless other enquiries Elizabeth and her daughter decided that it was worth taking the assessment for the academy - this was after the initial "No way, Mum!"
Arrangements were made for Belinda's assessment. This ran over two days and Belinda quite enjoyed the experience. She enjoyed the buzz and liked the tutors who were involved in the process. There were quite a few other girls taking the assessment with her and she soon made friends with a number of them. The following day, Belinda and her mother were invited to meet with Dr Lockhart.
They arrived for the 2:30pm appointment and were shown into Dr Lockhart's study.
"Mrs Dickinson and Belinda - the assessment results are most encouraging. The aptitude tests indicated a rather different potential career path to the one Belinda was proposing to follow. Have you considered a medical line?"
"My brother is at Medical School but I didn't think I'd get the required grades. My career adviser at school pointed me to a career in Biological Services - that's why I chose Durham for a degree in Biology," said Belinda.
"You do yourself a grave disservice Belinda. We assess you as achieving at least Grade A in all subjects, possibly even A-star. To overcome the retake bias we would suggest you take four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Four A's would get you into any Medical School. Additionally our career assessor believes you have all the necessary strengths required so I am confident that this is achievable."
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