Education is about more than just high marks

Thankfully, education today is not just about test results that have a narrow focus. Schools that measure a child's success by academic ability alone have become somewhat outdated. Educators are increasingly aware of the importance of recognising and developing personal, social and emotional intelligence as the basis of developing vital life skills.

Our students' employment prospects will depend more and more on their problem-solving abilities and critical-thinking skills. But as parents and teachers, our job is to help them reach their full academic potential. It sounds as if you are rightly concerned with giving your son the best possible chance of academic success.

Each child is born with different inherent strengths. The key to your son's future success is his self-esteem and confidence to face challenges and changes as they arise. It is important to tap into his interests both inside and outside school. I hope his school offers a wide curriculum, giving him opportunities to shine in other ways.

I have taught children who are highly academic but have poor social skills and few, if any, friends. Then there are children who are not very academic but have strengths in other areas such as sports, arts or drama. Some also show a high level of initiative, are creative, and can think out of the box or display leadership skills.

Of course, there will always be a need for academics who can deepen our intellectual understanding of the world, and it can be hard for parents to see their children struggling, especially if they are academically inclined themselves. This may lead to high expectations.

Try not to put too much pressure on your son or transfer your anxiety or disappointment about his academic achievement, as children do not learn as effectively when they are stressed. Putting pressure on children can be counter-productive.