This was A-level results week, and the anxiety levels – always high, of course – have been in the sky. I’ve got an 18-year-old who collected her results on Thursday, but I’m also a veteran: my two older daughters left sixth form seven and five years ago respectively.

I know well the feeling of the 8am white-knuckle ride to the school, the crossed fingers as envelopes are opened, the laughter and the tears. I know, too, the etiquette of playing it safe when it comes to sharing your child’s news or asking other parents about theirs; you go in soft, you play it by ear, you gauge carefully whether others are celebrating or commiserating and – for a few days – you quit social media.