Each year, August brings holidays and Key Stage 4 and 5 results.  It’s a time when the hard work of students and teachers coincides with a period best known for relaxation and celebration.  We create memories through holidays and the ritual of school results day is a rite of passage, a childhood milestone.

This year our summer has been scarred by the tragedy in Southport followed by violent disorder on the streets. We are still going on our holidays and children across the country have been opening their results with trepidation and youthful excitement. However, our shared routines and customs have been disrupted by rioting, which was driven by racism and Islamophobia, bringing about significant implications for our collective summer traditions.

School results days are marked by a whirlwind of emotions—anxiety, excitement, relief, and joy. For students, it's the culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. For families and schools, it's a moment of pride, a chance to celebrate the achievements of their children, and a time to look forward. Traditionally, students would gather together at their schools to collect their results in person, surrounded by their peers and teachers. I can clearly recall both my daughters’ results days and an atmosphere full of anxiety, joy, hugs, tears and sharing future plans.

The letter from the DfE last week outlining how schools and colleges can support Black, Global Majority and Muslim students on results day by allowing them to get their results online, whist well intentioned, was a sad reminder of the current challenges children are facing and the real-world impacts of racism. Not collecting results in person, while a personal decision, takes away that shared rite of passage.

As school results day coincides with the summer break, I have also been thinking about holidays and how different communities experience relaxation and downtime. I was away on holiday during the week of the riots and had the white privilege to unwind without fear of racism, to switch off and temporarily escape the stresses of everyday life. However, I know for Black and Global Majority families and colleagues, there has undoubtably been heightened levels of anxiety following the riots about travelling away from home and going to different areas. The riots have amplified that this period can be fraught with anxiety and fear, rooted in the systemic racism demonstrated through the recent terrifying violence and disorder.

Systemic racism, and its accompanying fears, whether it's being racially profiled while traveling or facing microaggressions mean that Black and Global Majority people often remain hyper-aware, even during supposed moments of rest. The mental and emotional toll of navigating a world where their humanity is constantly questioned is heavy and cannot be easily switched off.

Relaxation and celebrating achievements remain as important as ever for everyone. It’s crucial to recognise the effort that students have put in, and it is crucial for us to all to have down time. As we navigate these complex realities, it's vital to foster environments of understanding, allyship, and support. When children return to school after the summer break let’s celebrate achievements while also acknowledging the unique challenges some have faced, and continue to do so, so they can have positive choices in the future. And as the summer break continues, we should remain mindful of the different experiences within our society, and together stay committed to striving to create a society where everyone can truly rest, celebrate, and enjoy life without fear.