So, in his case (left-wing) his schooling doesn't matter. In other words, it's about the policies, not the school!
It was Labour's destruction of the grammar school that reduced the chances for working class children. My father was a carpenter on a building site and we lived on a council estate...passed my 11+, went to a grammar school, took a science degree and worked in medical research. At that time, only the very rich went to public schools...most professional people were happy to send their children to grammar school for an academic education. The destruction of grammar schools reduced the chance for children like me and encouraged the proliferation of private schools. Being bright I was bullied at school and was absent through 'sickness' for months at a time...going to grammar school with children that could stretch me saved me and gave me a chance.
As someone who has attended also, I'd be very much in support of grammar schools. They made me push on. I coasted in my early years, nearly buggering up my entry through lax attitude. By the time I left sixth form this summer, though, I'd outperformed a lot of the people from my schooling who had previously been in front of me. I'd say that's largely due to being given a boot up the arse when I needed it. Although, and this is more a gripe with certain universities... several of those I outperformed (and quite a few of my close friends!) are going to more highly-regarded and prestigious universities despite missing their grades by a considerable distance. I missed my first choice's entry requirements by 1 mark and they still wouldn't let me in. Just the way it goes sometimes, I suppose.
Another gripe of mine...education would be improved by the reintroduction of desks facing the front. Whoever thought that allowing children to sit round a table facing each other was conducive to improving concentration knows nothing of children.
Our school had two set-ups. 1) Everyone facing the front in rows 2) Horseshoe shape, with teacher's desk in a central position so they can see everyone's face and vice-versa
Discipline is much easier if children face the teacher...the ones causing trouble can be easily spotted. And while I am on a roll...children should have home class rooms with desks to store books...they shouldn't look like Sherpa Tensing with enough equipment to set up base camp on their backs when setting off for school.
Oh boy, let's sit children in a lecture setting so that they don't move or speak out of turn. Great way to inspire a fun and motivational educational environment. You learn from your peers just as much as from a teacher.
Big, fights and marches in Scotland. Loyalists and yes voters trying to out do each other. Scottish anthem being drowned out by Royal Britannia in some parts. Whatever way the vote went it was going to get ugly.
https://twitter.com/thisis__kerrie/status/513077523610361856 Glasgow. My uncle is a police man there.
I'm sorry, but you don't know what you're talking about. If it sat all my class in isolation, facing the front, their performance would be worse, behavior would be worse and they would be less motivated, less happy, less settled. I can see this for myself every day when they have to do this for the old fashioned methods of the Arabic teachers. There is so much you lose from not having centers. Especially as children are less socially developed now than ever given the vast swathes of kids plonked down in front of an electronic device and not engaging with other humans. I loathe the old approach, because it works for so few children. It's not an inclusive setting as it tailors to one or two particular styles of learning as opposed to using a variety.
Think my mum was friends with a teacher who, for the really naughty students, invited their parents in to watch their behaviour in a lesson or two. We need smaller classes and qualified teachers - think my Science teacher at school failed her Science degree...
Certainly at the secondary level there are a lot of 'Teachers of Convenience' which should be hauled out of the ****ing job quick snap. I refer to the huge numbers of people who moved to teach at that level after being made redundant during the recession. I have been contacted to work with a few of them (mostly in the maths/science department) and they are soulless, unprepared, jokes to a man. No real care about their student's performance, personalities or opportunities, just want the class to sit down, shut up and give the teacher a quiet life. Dreadful. Less of this happens in Primary or Early Years. We're a hardy bunch and Early Years in particular is so vastly different that the job hunters stay away. Of course it's not all like that, by far the best teacher I ever worked with used to be a lawyer before switching.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...tml?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 Luke Shaw on night out. Sorry, showing my age, but are tight girlie jeggings combined with black formal shoes really a good look? Probably shouldn't express an opinion as I am not exactly a snappy dresser...but how many of you could or would want to carry this look off?
If it stays dry, the lawn is screaming to be mowed Plum tree that the wife was given in December for her birthday needs planting; apparently 9 months in a tub on the patio is more than enough acclimatisation There's my morning gone!
I`m in Glasgow this weekend. A few sectarianists using the occasion for a Rangers/Celtic type barny. Nothing to see here, move on !
