As the academic year draws to a close, thousands of anxious teenagers, and even more pensive teachers, are awaiting their examination results.

The envelopes they receive will contain news of excitement, joy, occasional surprise and sometimes disappointment or anger. Whatever the outcome, the grades that these young people receive are a summary of their academic achievements to date. They know, undoubtedly, that these results matter. Indeed, it would be impossible to pass through primary and secondary school without some sense of the opportunities and barriers that the outcome of these assessments can bring.

What is concerning to many educators, though, is the notion fed to some children that these numbers and letters are everything – that they explain to an employer who this person is and what they are worth; that they define your ability; that if you mess up, that’s it, you’re prevented from making a success of yourself. That they define you.