'You are smart!' Teachers send inspirational letter to primary school pupils ahead of crucial exams

Daily Mail.com
May 10, 2015
By Jenny Awford for MailOnline

Parents have praised a primary school for sending an inspirational letter to Year 6 pupils telling them there 'are many ways of being smart' ahead of their crucial exams.

Teachers at Buckton Vale Primary School in Cheshire penned a message to students aged between 10 and 11 saying their SATs will not assess what makes them 'special and unique'.

The letter highlights the children's talents including their natural ability for sports, singing, playing musical instruments and speaking several languages.

It said: 'Next week you will sit your SATs tests for maths, reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation. We know how hard you have worked, but there is something very important you must know:

'The SATs test does not assess all what makes each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you the way that we do and certainly not in the way your families do.'

They were also told how their laughter can brighten the darkest day and that the examiners do not know the pupils are kind, trustworthy and thoughtful. 

It was signed by the deputy headteacher Mrs Brown along with two other teachers and has been shared more than 51,000 times on Facebook.

'They have not seen your natural talent for dancing or playing a musical instrument,' it continued.

'They do not know that your friends can count on you to be there for them; that your laughter can brighten the darkest day or that your face turns red when you feel shy.'

Hundreds of parents have praised the school for the 'heartwarming' letter which helped ease the pressure on the students. 

Helen Foster said: 'I've shown this to my daughter who also is sitting SATs next week. It's a nice way to say how proud i am to have her as my daughter.'

Donna Owen said: 'I have 11-year-old twins who sit their SATs next week, they go to a different school but your letter was shared by a group of friends, I sat and read it with them with a tear because it's so true, would like to wish everyone good luck for next week and thank you for sharing this letter.'

Joanne Gubb said: 'I have just shared this to my son and his friends. What a fantastic thoughtful letter to send to the children. 

'Only wish our school has the insight to send something similar. Such enormous pressure on young shoulders but this sums it up perfectly! Good luck to all the kids taking exams this week.'

The letter goes on to say that exams are not the most important things in life and that they will not tell you 'everything'.

It said: 'The levels you will yet from this test will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart.

'You are smart! So while you are preparing for the test and in the midst of it all, remember that there is no way to 'test' all of the amazing and awesome things that make you, YOU!'

It ends with an Aristotle quote: 'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.' 

Read original article here.