Dining across the divide: He was shocked when I told him that schools weaponise anxiety'

"Occupation Teacher in a pupil referral unit (PRU) Voting record Labour last time. Would like to vote Lib Dem or Green but hates the idea of wasting his vote, and would do anything to keep out Reform Amuse bouche Is a novice, very keen knitter; his grandmother made him an Afghan blanket when he was a child, and he's hoping to recreate it"

"We talked about schools behaviour management, anxiety and exam stress. My view is that the system doesn't work for anybody. It's in the school's interests for the kids to do well, and they'll push you all the time. It's taken the fun out of school. Patrick was a bit shocked to hear what I was telling him that it's weaponised anxiety, the teachers use kids' anxieties to drive them forward,"

Patrick is a teacher in a pupil referral unit who last voted Labour and would like to vote Lib Dem or Green but fears wasting his vote and prioritizes keeping Reform out. Molly, 50, works for the NHS and voted Green in the last two general elections. Both are keen knitters with personal projects. They met for a lengthy Japanese-Mexican fusion meal and discussed education, behaviour management, anxiety, and exam stress. Molly views school-created anxiety as removing enjoyment from learning. Patrick recognises pressure but sees much of it as originating from authorities above teachers.

Read at www.theguardian.com