GCSE Time!

I took my GCSE's in 1989 - a long time ago - this is me in my school uniform with my talented cat Thomas. My dad used to call me pineapple head for reasons that are clear in this embarrassing photo.

I wanted to write about my GCSE's because whatever your results are it doesn't determine your future. My grades were poor - I got 3 c's, 3 d's, 1 e and a u in maths. My attention span in school was very low and it matched my self esteem so at the age of sixteen I think I would say that I hadn't got the confidence or ability to achieve what I wanted in my future. I had a lot of great ideas of what I wanted and I am very lucky today to be living those dreams but without my determination and self belief I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today.

Stuart Hall ofa "It's a knockout" fame came into my school when I was about six years old - I loved that programme for numerous reasons. We always watched it with Aunty Norah accompanied by a wagon wheel, every one would fall over in stupid costumes and Stuart Hall's laugh was so infectious - it's one of the happiest memories of my childhood. When he arrived like a god in a safari chariot at my school I was mesmerised - I don't remember why he was dressed in a safari outfit or why he was in a jeep but what I do remember is the words he said, "you can be whatever you want to be"! This has been with me since I was six years old and I find it incredible that someone can make such an impact with words alone.

I used to entertain my mum with my dreams when I was a little girl they were fourfold. I wanted to be a star - a singer and my brother Jarrod would be my chauffeur. X factor might have to be explored again for this dream to come true - but I doubt our Jarrod would drive me ha ha! I wanted to pack hampers for Christmas - because I loved the luxuries and the surprises that you got each year - it was a very special time. I wanted to be a Red Coat we went to Butlins every year and each year I fell in love with the idea of entertaining people and that one day everyone would treat me like a mini hero as Red Coats are, they are so loved by kids. The nearest I came to this was when I ran the out of school clubs and preschool, I was always on the karaoke with the kids - fun times and I was loved by the kids so you could say I achieved this goal. However, I ruled the catwalk in my house, every day was a ten outfit per day exhibition and I regularly encouraged my sister Laura to invite her friends over to play so that I could dress them up in my mum's shoes and clothes and create a runway down our hallway to the tune of Phil Collins drowned out by our budgie Bluie who had squawked over my recording of the top forty - the little shit, that bird gave us no end of trouble. As you all probably know I achieved this dream and bloody love it. I love the fashion Industry and my new job makes me smile because I am shining like I have never shone before - the people I work with are loving my ideas and it is very creative. Two thumbs up!

I have my sister Laura to thank for this - she showed belief in me to achieve my goal. She showed me I was great and until a child or an adult knows that, they will not achieve, teaching can take you some part of the way but faith in ability can drive that talent home.

If you know someone who has poor GCSE results today - give them a big squeeze, dust their shoulders off and tell them what Stuart Hall told me -"you can be whatever you want to be" It is never too late. Live your dreams - good or bad results, just bloody do it!

Thanks for tuning in.

Stan