That is all! That is all we want as parents – three A*s please. We are paying big money and when we pay big money for something we expect to get the best. It cannot be too much to ask – we are paying lots of money to pay you, the teacher, to ensure that our child gets three A*s. What? You think I am not paying you enough? OK, so here is some more – now, A*s please. What is the problem?

For starters, two thousand years ago a wise man told an interesting story about a master who gave three of his workers different amounts of money for them to go out and use, adding very specifically that it was given “each according to their ability”. Let us be very clear, people have different abilities; some will get A*s and others will not (this writer being one of the latter category). We must first understand that the demand for A*s is not logical, reasonable, tenable or ultimately suitable.

Having said that about demanding and despairing parents, we might throw into the equation the fact that perhaps schools in turn do not actually help people to understand this. At Assemblies and Prize Givings, schools present prizes, awards, Colours, for those with academic ability, for those A* pupils who have shone in certain subjects. It is therefore deemed the pinnacle of achievement. In fact, they also reward pupils for their sporting, musical, drama, artistic, debating, public speaking, their leadership ability – all these wonderful abilities (though the academic ability is top of the tree).

So, what is the problem? The problem is that what parents demand and what schools reward is not what employers or even universities really want. We can hope and dream and demand for A*s in many subjects but that is of no real interest to people beyond school. Let us just repeat that: the problem is that what parents demand and what schools reward is not what employers or even universities really want. Those abilities, be they academic, sporting, musical, dramatic, whatever, are not the abilities that employers are looking for. They want other more relevant, impactful, essential abilities; they want three A star abilities, namely Accountability, Availability and Adaptability.

The master, in the story mentioned earlier about the talents, gave his three workers different amounts of money (defined as five, two and one talent) and allowed them to use them. When he came back, he asked them to give an account of what they had done with the talents. The one with five had gained five more and the one with two had gained two more. Interestingly, both were praised equally even though five is higher than two. Accountability was important. We all must learn accountability, to be able to give an account for whatever we have done. Employers will hold people accountable so if we do not teach and develop that in our youngsters, then we are failing.

Of course, many find accountability difficult – much harder even than some academic subjects. In fact, our natural reaction to being asked what we have done is to deflect attention and ideally blame someone else (and teachers are always an easy target). We blame society, parents, systems, politicians, employers – anyone, someone, everyone, except for ourselves. Yet, when we have an environment where we all recognize our accountability to others, then we will thrive. Accountability is an A* quality and ability that we need to develop, recognise and reward.

The second A* ability is one we have considered before and that is Availability. Any employer will delight in that person who is able and willing to do whatever task is required of him, however big or small. One youngster who wanted to go to university but could not afford it, went to work as a gardener and has ended up running a string of franchise restaurants. Someone saying, “What can I do?” is far more valuable than someone who keeps on saying what he has done. Here I am: use me.

And the third A* ability is similar but also rarely rewarded: Adaptability. The world changes quickly and if we do not change with it, we will be lost. Think of highly successful companies that have disappeared as they did not adapt or sports teams that stick with their tried and trusted tactics; they fail if they do not adapt. Adaptability is an ability we need to develop much more in our youngsters.

A*s are not born and not every person is an A* academically or automatically. However, every child can and must attain the three key A* abilities; they are the real stars. They are worth every cent.