The Educated Parent

Final spots on late July and early September writing workshops available, as are ad hoc 1:1 tuition slots over summer. Just get in touch: [email protected]

When is a moody tween / teen something more? Brilliant article on how to help and when to get outside support:

Teen mental health – when to seek help and what parents can do themselves Mental health problems are increasing in young people. How can their families support them? And when should professional help be sought?

Maintaining literacy skills after y6 can be a real battle. Email me for some reading and motivation recommendations on [email protected]

Teenage boys in UK ‘stuck’ reading primary-level books while girls’ tastes expand Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series accounts for eight of the 10 most read books by 11- to 14-year-old boys, while girls the same age enjoy a wider range of authors and genres

Remarkable schools and educators:

Three London schools shortlisted for World's Best School prize The capital has the more shortlisted entries than any other city globally, with schools in Swiss Cottage, Mayfair and Southwark all in the running

Summer Writing Camps are finally open to book! 2 hour group writing camps to support 10 & 11+ preparation for y3-y5s: Tues July 28th, Wed July 29th and Thurs July 30th. Email to secure your child's spot [email protected]

One way or another, parents and schools will have more influence... or not? What do you think?

Social media restrictions for under-16s even if no ban, minister says The government is consulting on changes as a new social media law goes through its final Parliamentary stages.

Fascinating insight from one of Autism's most credible academics as to whether the spectrum best serves the whole autistic community:

Uta Frith: why I no longer think autism is a spectrum The autism spectrum has widened to the point of collapse, affecting how teachers should support autistic pupils in the classroom, researcher Uta Frith tells Helen Amass

Could not be prouder of my y6 tutees! 2 Tiffin offers plus more from Alleyn's, Dulwich College, St John's, Ibstock, Emanuel, Surbiton and 2 academic scholarship offers at Claremont and one at Sutton High (4th year in a row). Well done team, enjoy your year 7 adventures. You had grit and didn't quit!

Love this: resilience matters and sometimes starts with I can't, but I will. Bravo Austin!

Austin Appelbee is 13 years old.

He recently failed his swimming assessment because he couldn't swim 350 metres continuously.

Last week, he swam about 4 kilometres through choppy ocean waters - where sharks are known to frequent - to save his family's life.

When their inflatable paddleboards drifted out to sea off the WA coast, Austin's mum - with her heart in her mouth and as a last-hope desperate prayer - sent him back in a leaking kayak to get help. When that failed, he ditched the kayak and then the life jacket (it was slowing him down) and swam.

For four hours. Through waves and wind. Who knows what was in the water. In open ocean.

He told himself, "Not today. I have to keep going."

When his legs buckled on the sand, he ran another 2km to call emergency services. His family was rescued just as darkness fell.

Police called his efforts "superhuman." (His swimming instructor probably wishes they'd seen this side of him.)

This is a heroic story. I love it. But I'm sharing this because:

Austin didn't become a different kid in that moment. The same determination, grit, and love that got him through those waters was already there. The crisis just revealed it.

I'm constantly reminding parents - you don't know you're resilient until you have to be resilient. And being resilient doesn't usually feel resilient. It feels like "I can't" far more than it feels like "look at me being awesomely resilient".

We spend so much time worrying about whether our kids are ready for life's challenges. Whether they're tough enough. Capable enough. Whether we've done enough.

Austin's story reminds me that kids have reserves we can't always see in the everyday moments. And that when it really matters, they'll find what they need.

What an incredible young man.

Not a huge surprise to find in brain development, adolescence goes on way through our 20s. Fascinating what we now know about brains, stress and the impact on our youngsters:

Brains Don't Enter Their 'Adult Era' Until Well After 30, Study Finds New research suggests that the brain matures in four phases.