‘The important thing is to cut them some slack: at fifteen they may look like an adult, but they don’t have the brains of one, so make allowances for them. And don’t write them off. At any point. Someone who is showing no aptitude for learning could still come good: their brain is going to keep on developing, and what is a sieve today could be a sponge tomorrow. Allow them time and space for their brain to do its thing. Don’t hurry them. Their adult brains will thank you.’
