"Daisy seems to go to a wonderful school, where there is no stress, and taking 13 exams at once is so easy peasy that everyone is getting A's AND having the most wonderful social life too...which is a marvellous example of how well school can actually work well if the teachers work to protect the children from stress.....although quite how you can study for 13 exams at once and barely have to worry about working, is a bit of a mystery to me, but then....maybe, with my brain, I've not been blessed in the same way."

Lizzie, I'm twenty years older than Daisybell, and I went to a State school too (albeit a mixed one). But the picture she paints is actually pretty much identical to the one I recall amongst my own peer group.

The less bright kids didn't do so well, and the bright ones did very well. Those who did do well very often had Saterday jobs and went out to see bands at the weekend!! But they were also disciplined about studying and *importantly* had home lives that were academically encouraging and supportive. My best friend at this same State School won some national award (beating all the kids from private schools in the country) for being a smarty pants and doing so well! She happened to be one of the most socially well adjusted and fun loving people I've known. But she just got on with her studies when she had to, her parents instilled a supportive study and work ethic in her.

Perhaps Daisybell isn't stressed about (actually no-doubt studying quite hard) because her home life is *supportive* of her schooling?