‘It’s been a big learning curve for all’

Mum-of-four Julie Tucker is impressed by how her daughters’ secondary school has improved its remote learning provision since the first lockdown.

Every morning her two teenage girls begin their school day at 8.30am, and live lessons continue until 3.30pm.

“It’s now much more organised and structured,”

haphazard early on. It’s been a huge learning curve for everybody.”

Julie’s abiding memory of the first lockdown is struggling to teach maths to 13-year-old Amy: “It was a real challenge as I

I’d have to Google how to do something, teach myself to do it, and then help Amy.”

Since March, Julie has been working at home in Edgware, London, for her job with a flexible workspace company. “I’m lucky because the girls are very conscientious and just get on with it,” she says.

A-levels, and she’d much rather be at school with her friends. She really misses it, and it’s hard for her to get motivated now that they’re not going to do exams. She’s lost a sense of direction.”

Julie focuses on a good balance for her girls, especially Abi, whom she encourages to

“I’m just trying to support her and relieve the pressure – I always advise her to strike a balance between workload and downtime.”

Every evening Abi meets up with her friends to chat online and play games. “That social element has been so important,” says Julie. “Her friendship group is 50 percent of the reason she loves going to school.”