@lzbth Thanks for explaining all of that.

Btw, I wasn't going to shoulder all the blame myself!

We're going through SATs now with our eldest and I'm struck by how much of what he struggles with in maths is not the actual maths, but comprehending the structure and context of the questions - many of which appear designed to confuse and trick.

All very upper/middle class, middle aged, white man clever stuff that's very effective at making my bright mixed race boy feel stupid and worthless.