A former head teacher has warned of the risks of students not securing GCSEs after Scarlett Thomas revealed she did not sit the exams as she follows her parents into the acting world.
The 16-year-old, who is the daughter of Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas, 41, and Tina Thomas, 42, looks destined for a future in acting and has already starred in Waterloo Road and The Nation’s Favourite Disney Song.
She made her on-screen debut in the revival of Waterloo Road in 2023, working alongside her uncle Adam Thomas and his son Teddy Thomas, who play Donte Charles and Tommy Charles in the show.
But last week, the rising star – who has snapped back at claims she is a ‘nepo baby‘ – raised eyebrows when she admitted she had not sat her GCSEs as schoolchildren around the country opened up their results.
The actress has made it clear that she wants to follow in the footsteps of her famous parents into the entertainment industry and has a passion for acting and singing.
While most young people in England do sit GCSEs, they are not a legal requirement under the Education Act of 1996 and students can choose to pursue other qualifications or leave formal education at 16.
However, not having GCSEs can limit your options later on in terms of further education – such as college or university. Many employers require a English and Maths at grade 4/C or above when considering potential employees for a job.
Stressing the importance of sitting GCSEs, former deputy headteacher Amit Singh Kalley told the Mail today: ‘I would say that it’s pretty important to get those qualifications especially with English and Maths.
Scarlett Thomas (pictured) skipped her GCSE exams this summer after pursuing a career in acting
The 16-year-old is the daughter of Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas (pictured together)
Scarlett pictured with her mother Tina O’Brien at the British Soap Awards in May 2025
‘In the case of Scarlett Thomas, she’s obviously forged out a very successful acting career and the chances are it’s going to get more and more successful. So for somebody like that she might look back and feel there’s no need to have that basic level of education.
‘But as with any profession, things can dry up or things might not work out, whether you want to become an actor, a footballer, a gamer, a YouTuber, whatever it is you want to do.
‘If we don’t have those basic foundations, there’s a worry if we need to change careers or look for something more traditional sense of work, if we don’t have those basic qualifications like an English or Maths GCSE, we might really struggle to get that work.
‘For me having GCSEs is an important thing.’
Mr Kalley conceded that in the long-term, ‘people seldom look at GCSE results’ as the focus changes to A-Levels and university degrees.
But he added: ‘There are still some jobs that require certain level of passes in certain subjects.
‘But in her case she obviously has acting parents, she’s become an actress herself and it sounds like she’s going to get a pretty good payout this year alone. So she may be able to set herself up for life without those qualifications.
‘If I was still a deputy head, I would always encourage students to get as many qualifications as they can because it’s always important to have those things as a back-up but I recognise the world is changing.’
With Scarlett’s acting career going from to strength she may be relying on the fact that she never needs traditional employment.
The rising star, 16, first appeared on TV screens back in 2023 in BBC drama Waterloo Road playing Izzy – the daughter of her real life uncle Adam Thomas
She has also snapped back at claims she is a ‘nepo baby’ due to her acting parents
Fans of the teen actress were shocked to discover that she hadn’t sat her milestone GCSEs and many questioned why she chose not to get any qualifications
Ryan Thomas, Adam Thomas and Scott Thomas with their father, soul legend Dougie James
As well as making waves on screens she also has a prominent social media presence too and is predicted to earn up to £2million before her 18th birthday.
Reflecting on not receiving any results herself, she said on TikTok last week: ‘Watching everyone get their GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.’
She added in the caption with two red heart emojis: ‘Well done everyone you all should be beyond proud whatever results you got [sic].’
Amid a backlash, her father has defended her decision, commenting on a post: ‘Is it even anyone’s business or concern though?’
Fans of the teen actress were shocked to discover that she hadn’t sat her milestone GCSEs and many questioned why she chose not to get any qualifications.
Others, however, stressed that school exams do not define a person or their ability to succeed in life.
Viewers wrote: ‘Why did u not do them or something?”
‘Two years on since mine and they really do not define your future at all. You’ll forever wonder but God had a different plan for you xx’;
Adam is pictured in his role as Donte Charles in Waterloo Road with his son Teddy (bottom) and niece Scarlett (middle) playing his children with Katie Griffiths as Choe Charles
Adam’s son Teddy joined Scarlett in nabbing a role on the BBC hit, playing his dad’s on-screen son
Scarlett Thomas is pictured with father Ryan and his brothers, Adam and Scott
Coronation Street legend Tina and Scott both pictured in 2007
‘Proud of you anyways no matter what you are so talented and doing amazing things already you are going to go so far!!’
‘it’s okay Scarlett, we’re all still proud of you with or without grades, they don’t define you as a person xx [sic]’
Scarlett has previously hit back at those who have criticised her for taking acting opportunities at such a young age.
She wrote: ”You only got those opportunities because of your family.’
‘God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.’
