The Exam System Is Broken: Hannah Gee on Dyslexia, Shame and Fighting the System

In this episode I'm joined by Hannah Gee, founder of the Fairer Exams campaign, hypnotherapist and mum of three. Hannah shares the story of her son's dyslexia, his GCSE results falling short by a single mark, and the viral moment, sobbing in a car outside his final exam, that turned personal heartbreak into a national campaign. We talk about the shocking statistic that one in three children leave school without English and Maths, the little-known "functional skills" qualification that could offer a fairer path, and the shame Hannah felt not as a mother of her son, but as a mother who feared being judged. It's an honest, at times funny, deeply important conversation about the education system, parental shame, and what it really means to fight for your child. We cover: The moment Hannah's son missed his GCSE by one mark, and the system that failed to catch itThe little-known "functional skills" qualification, and why only 1 in 10 employers have heard of itThe video that went viral, and how it outpaced Hannah's TEDx talkThe difference between shame in your child and shame in your parentingWhy speaking your truth, however messy, always lands harder than a polished messageWhat "winning" looks like for the Fairer Exams campaignAbout Hannah Hannah Gee is an education campaigner, TEDx speaker, poet and hypnotherapist. She is the founder of Fairer Exams, a campaign calling for a more inclusive and practical assessment pathway for young people who are failed by the current GCSE system. Drawing on both personal experience and a belief in the power of honest storytelling, Hannah speaks openly about education, neurodiversity, resilience and what happens when we finally find the courage to speak our truth. Connect with Hannah:Watch Hannah's TEDx talk here: https://youtu.be/M5_zj2FZ6KY Sign the petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/772347  Website: fairerexams.co.uk Instagram: instagram.com/fairerexams LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hannah-gee-791a5829 If this episode has affected you: If exam stress or your child's mental health is affecting your family, support is available. YoungMinds offers free advice and support for parents. Call the Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544 or visit youngminds.org.uk. About Fran Fran Willoughby is an evidential medium, Reiki practitioner and intuitive coach, and the host of The Power of the Truth. Through Mojo Motivator she offers mediumship readings, oracle card readings, Reiki healing and coaching, helping people find clarity, connection and confidence through life's biggest transitions. Find out more or book a session at www.mojo-motivator.com. Send us Fan MailIf you have a story that you think would be good for the podcast, please do get in touch by emailing [email protected].