I am extremely disappointed by the approach taken towards students immediately before their A Level examinations. Informing students at such a critical stage that they should either postpone their examinations or sit them at another examination centre is, in my view, both unacceptable and ethically questionable.

If the intention behind this approach is to improve the school's published A Level results by encouraging students who may not achieve the desired grades to withdraw from the cohort, then this raises serious concerns. Such decisions appear to prioritise league table performance over the wellbeing and interests of individual students.

More importantly, having these conversations just days before examinations places enormous and unnecessary psychological pressure on students who are already experiencing one of the most stressful periods of their academic lives. Rather than feeling supported, students are left questioning their abilities and losing confidence at the very moment they need reassurance and encouragement.

The school may respond by saying that these discussions are motivated by concern for the students' best interests. However, if that is genuinely the case, I must ask why these issues were not identified and addressed much earlier in the academic year. Effective monitoring, intervention and academic support should have taken place over many months, allowing students and parents sufficient time to make informed decisions. Waiting until immediately before the examinations is neither responsible nor supportive.

As parents, we have invested a significant amount of time, trust and financial resources into our children's education. We expect the school to provide guidance throughout the academic journey, not present life-changing recommendations at the eleventh hour when students are least able to process them objectively.

Schools have both an educational and pastoral responsibility to prepare students for success. That responsibility includes identifying concerns early, implementing appropriate interventions, and supporting students to achieve their potential. Not placing additional stress on them immediately before their examinations.

I sincerely hope the school reflects on this practice and reviews its procedures so that future students and families are not subjected to the same experience.