I completely agree with you Cass - my children faced the same sort of thing from their primary school only to be given inflated targets at secondary school. I am of the opinion that children find their own way in this world - my eldest really struggled with her GCSE's but she got what she needed to get onto the course she wanted at college - she is now learning a subject she absolutely loves and is predicted to do exceptionally well, something we never expected. We never push her, we never forced her to complete her homework or to revise but because she is doing something she chose and loves she is working hard to get the grades she needs to go on to the next stage of her life. I was appalled by my younger Daughters secondary school teacher who said she wasn't doing as well as predicted because she wasn't getting 7-9 (the new GCSE grade system) in all of her subjects - I am more than happy that she is hitting this crazy target in a few subjects and doing fairly well in all the others. Do the schools not realise how demoralising their unrealistic targets are.

Hi Cass, really pleased to hear that you are on the mend and looking forward to your New York trip - if I can give you some advice it would be, not to waste money on a New York pass. As its your first trip to the big apple there will be so much to see and do that is free that you don't need to waste money on a pass, but rather choose your attractions carefully as you will be amazed at how quick the time passes. We paid for entry to the top of the Rock and for a subway pass - everything else was free - Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, 911 memorial area, walking across Brooklyn bridge, walking around Central Park, grand central terminal, the cable car to Roosevelt island, Macy's, tiffanys, Bloomingdales, love statue, walking the high line, Bryant park, battery park, Madison square gardens, FAO Schwartz - all classic landmarks and all free. If you want my itinerary I am happy to email it to you.