It goes without saying that 2019-20 presented us with challenges best described by one of the most-used words of the past several months - unprecedented.

At this time of year, the thoughts of all involved in secondary education turn towards the looming release of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results, an event that always brings excitement and anxiety. Understandably, there will be more nervousness than normal due to the cancellation of the exam diet and the added uncertainty this has brought.

For teachers and school leaders, the work undertaken in April and May was significant, and every effort will hopefully have been made to ensure that outcomes for pupils are fair and robust. The SQA has an unenviable task of implementing a completely new approach to awarding, based on the hard work of school staff while also applying methodology to provide the system with a degree of confidence in the integrity of the qualifications achieved.

SQA results day 2020: LIVE BLOG

SQA results: What to look out for

A teacher’s view: On SQA exam results day, ‘there will be turmoil’

Background: Teachers estimates ‘core element of the certification process’

Related: SQA will not talk to schools before changing grades

News: Scottish students’ appeals could lead to lower grades 

Swinney: ‘Strong argument for reforming exams’ 

It must be difficult for young people waiting on results this year more than ever. Not being able to influence the outcome of their qualifications after shutdown in March might feel like being substituted with half an hour to play and having to rely on others to deliver the final score they want.

I suppose that, at this stage, all we can do is have faith that all involved have delivered what was asked of them with professionalism, fairness and integrity.

There are concerns, though, that - as with awarding agencies in other countries - if blanket decisions have been taken due to anomalies in the outcomes compared with what might ordinarily be expected, this could impact negatively some young people, subjects, departments or schools.

The qualifications of 2020 are different, so we shouldn’t over-compare to the past: the situation is literally incomparable. It can be argued that the unique circumstances of awarding based on professional judgement of achievement throughout the year and inferred further progress would naturally lead to, overall, higher attainment. Removing the final exam takes away circumstances that can hold some young people back while others excel (such as a supportive study environment at home, access to additional tutoring). Teachers across the land will tell you about young people who perform well throughout the year then appear to “freeze on the day” with stress, or who perhaps have the abilities required of the course on an ongoing basis but lack the skill involved to retain lots of information and reproduce it on a given day.

Many in the system already feel that high-stakes exams in May each year are not now the best way to recognise the overall performance of a learner, particularly in subjects in which there is not a counterbalance of assessment of ongoing performance.

There may be, and perhaps should be, the opportunity now to have a deep conversation about how we want to recognise achievement in secondary education in Scotland going forward. Many aspects of our lives have been transformed by, for example, the evolution of technology. We know that of the key skills required in the future, in a world of instant access to information and artificial intelligence, retention of lots of facts is way down the list.

But that’s for later. At this time teachers, students and their parents will be anxious about Tuesday 4 August. Let’s hope everyone’s genuine efforts during the difficult months of April and May leads to young people getting the results they deserve.

One thing is for sure at a time of great uncertainty: Scotland’s teachers will continue to support our young people in their next steps whatever the results on Tuesday. No one’s success in learning is defined solely by attainment in any case, as important as this is to all of us. For a reminder of that, do a search for #NoWrongPath on Twitter and you’ll find no end of inspiration.

Billy Burke is a secondary school headteacher and past president of School Leaders Scotland. He tweets @William_J_Burke

*Tes Scotland will be live blogging throughout SQA results day 2020, on Tuesday 4 August. To find our coverage go to the Scotland hub of the Tes website.