Actually, Socrates, they are both teachers so are complaining about the difficulties imposed upon them by the iniquitous Mr Gove. We know he's, thankfully, gone, but the damage that he has done lives on.
For example, the elder doesn't yet know what the exam structure in her subject will be next year so cannot advise her students. Those students will be applying for University within a year or two!
Michael Gove has probably been the best cabinet minister in the UK for almost 20 years. The teachers always complain about the changes caused by a reform process. Just look at Poland, where the unions fought the process every step of the way, and yet look at them now: surging up the PISA rankings.
It probably partially explains their pro-EU views, however, if they're constantly inundated with the left-wing claptrap of the NUT. One of the reasons I worry so much about teaching in this country is that the very people who should be teaching independent thinking to the next generation are incredibly prone to political groupthink.
As they have an MP in the House of Commons and doubtless intend to stand in every seat, it's hard to think of a plausible reason to exclude them.
Apologies for snipping lots of other very interesting points but this stood out. I am sure it isn't correct about them intending to stand in every seat although I would have to resort to The Google to confirm. And I thought that candidate numbers are a factor in at least the advertising and PPB allocations if not debate participation directly.
I don't think that makes your other points less valid but it changes the context rather.
A fair point, to which I must admit the answer is I don't know. As you say, it would tend to negate my point.
My understanding is they are planning a nationwide campaign, but I'm not an expert and I could easily be wrong. I believe they are planning to stand here in Cannock, and in a seat where they have zero chance of even a third-placed finish, that seems a good indicator of a more widespread campaign than before (whether that's wise or not is another question). And I know it will depend on finance as well - but I'm thinking that's not likely to be a problem after the last few weeks of publicity.
What they could really do with is a union backing them - that would really open things up. But of course, it will never happen - well, not this side of the next Labour government, anyway.
must be bad , thinks I am too delicate to see them
you are a bit of a petal malc :-)
Alan, you being taking in by that numpty up thread, am I being mocked and despised here or are you extracting the urine. I am too intellectually challenged to be able to work it out.
not at all malc, you are always someone who isn't afraid of robust debate. And while we've had a bit of sport over the years, you've never said anything that genuinely offends me.
LOL, of course not Alan , you are an intelligent human being. I do wonder when you get absolute twerps like youdotheother pontificating about people mocking and despising a poster when they are obviously seriously addled in the brain department and have no social interaction skills and unable to have a coherent conversation. I was mocking the welsh turnip in my reply. Perhaps "I'm a man " may gain some human insight if he hangs around.
Miss Lass, you cannot complain people are being personal about Salmond in one breath and then attack them for male insecurity and hyperbole in the next.
Salmond lost his referendum in Scotland and is now talking about one in England. The changes needed for England (in my view a Parliament, possibly with English votes for English laws in the interim period) are a matter for the English to decide.
As someone from another part of the UK, who wants to make Englishmen and Scotsmen foreigners to one another, and who is seeking election to the UK Parliament where he has indicated he may vote on English-only matters, Salmond's views on this are frankly unwelcome and a period of silence from him would be welcome.
I don't want the discussion about what happens in England to be coloured by the utterances of a man who does not live here, is not from here and wishes the UK to end. His very separatist desires prejudice his opinion and taint it beyond hope of objectivity, inclining it towards divisiveness.
Mr D, the referendum - unless someone can show otherwise from behind the Times paywall - which Mr S was suggesting is apparently on the governance of the UK and in particular on the HoL. It seems to me that we are still in the UK for the foreseeable future and that the HoL is - the last time I saw - a UK body: and therefore it is legitimate for Mr S to express views on that. Or have I missed something?
It is indeed legitimate for him to comment. It is after all Cameron who went round vowing all sorts of omelette, most of which he couldn't promise without breaking a few eggs elsewhere.
Ye Gods. This thread now has 58 mentions of the word "nigger", including one written by a PPC. If this was UKIP forums there would be about six excited stories in the Mail by now.
I don't think that Nicks "does it disparage vulnerable people" test (so insulting eg scots is less offensive) is always valid. I knew someone who referred to Scots as porridgewogs. I suspect if that was used in public other than in this context all hell would break out.
I don't think anyone has actually been called one though.
Mr. Carnyx, Salmond's copy and pasted a Labour policy and added a footnote.
The question of urgency is England's governance. Prolonged deliberation, regionalisation bullshit and the House of Lords are all unnecessary distractions muttered by those wishing obfuscation rather than clarity and delay rather than decisiveness.
Salmond does not want a sustainable UK, by definition. An English Parliament, with English votes for English laws in the meantime, could provide that stability.
Equal devolution to the home nations is the clear answer to the current constitutional troubles. What amazes me is how inane the criticism of an English parliament is. They largely claim it would dominate the other home nations because of how big England is. But how could England dominate when it's restricted to powers that are already devolved elsewhere, and when such England-only issues will now be removed from influencing the UK parliament?
Actually, Socrates, they are both teachers so are complaining about the difficulties imposed upon them by the iniquitous Mr Gove. We know he's, thankfully, gone, but the damage that he has done lives on.
For example, the elder doesn't yet know what the exam structure in her subject will be next year so cannot advise her students. Those students will be applying for University within a year or two!
Michael Gove has probably been the best cabinet minister in the UK for almost 20 years. The teachers always complain about the changes caused by a reform process. Just look at Poland, where the unions fought the process every step of the way, and yet look at them now: surging up the PISA rankings.
It probably partially explains their pro-EU views, however, if they're constantly inundated with the left-wing claptrap of the NUT. One of the reasons I worry so much about teaching in this country is that the very people who should be teaching independent thinking to the next generation are incredibly prone to political groupthink.
I have to say, as a teacher, I don't mind quite a lot of the reforms Gove has made (although his unnecessarily abrasive approach wasn't helpful) and it's Tristram Hunt I blame for the uncertainty over A-levels, because he's the silly fool who has said they might be stopped just before/just after they are due to come in.
The history courses coming in are a lot better than the ones being replaced. It's just expensive and time-consuming to sort through them all and get ready. And like most people working 70-hour weeks, teachers are not anxious for additional work coming in clumps!
Actually, Socrates, they are both teachers so are complaining about the difficulties imposed upon them by the iniquitous Mr Gove. We know he's, thankfully, gone, but the damage that he has done lives on.
For example, the elder doesn't yet know what the exam structure in her subject will be next year so cannot advise her students. Those students will be applying for University within a year or two!
Michael Gove has probably been the best cabinet minister in the UK for almost 20 years. The teachers always complain about the changes caused by a reform process. Just look at Poland, where the unions fought the process every step of the way, and yet look at them now: surging up the PISA rankings.
It probably partially explains their pro-EU views, however, if they're constantly inundated with the left-wing claptrap of the NUT. One of the reasons I worry so much about teaching in this country is that the very people who should be teaching independent thinking to the next generation are incredibly prone to political groupthink.
I note that you are supremely unworried about the difficulties of students trying to plan their future.
Miss Lass, you cannot complain people are being personal about Salmond in one breath and then attack them for male insecurity and hyperbole in the next.
Salmond lost his referendum in Scotland and is now talking about one in England. The changes needed for England (in my view a Parliament, possibly with English votes for English laws in the interim period) are a matter for the English to decide.
As someone from another part of the UK, who wants to make Englishmen and Scotsmen foreigners to one another, and who is seeking election to the UK Parliament where he has indicated he may vote on English-only matters, Salmond's views on this are frankly unwelcome and a period of silence from him would be welcome.
I don't want the discussion about what happens in England to be coloured by the utterances of a man who does not live here, is not from here and wishes the UK to end. His very separatist desires prejudice his opinion and taint it beyond hope of objectivity, inclining it towards divisiveness.
He will soon be living there MD and where is all this UK , one team , pooling and sharing , one nation crap. You want everything to just be English. Should we not be allowed to comment on UK matters given we are part of it.
It's perfectly legitimate for you to comment on UK matters. Just not English only ones.
Given the way the country is run there are seriously few matters that are really English only. The setup is such that almost 100% of decisions have implications in Scotland. I agree we should have a federal state and each part can run their own affairs. Current pretendy devolution does not allow for English only votes.
Actually, Socrates, they are both teachers so are complaining about the difficulties imposed upon them by the iniquitous Mr Gove. We know he's, thankfully, gone, but the damage that he has done lives on.
For example, the elder doesn't yet know what the exam structure in her subject will be next year so cannot advise her students. Those students will be applying for University within a year or two!
Michael Gove has probably been the best cabinet minister in the UK for almost 20 years. The teachers always complain about the changes caused by a reform process. Just look at Poland, where the unions fought the process every step of the way, and yet look at them now: surging up the PISA rankings.
It probably partially explains their pro-EU views, however, if they're constantly inundated with the left-wing claptrap of the NUT. One of the reasons I worry so much about teaching in this country is that the very people who should be teaching independent thinking to the next generation are incredibly prone to political groupthink.
I note that you are supremely unworried about the difficulties of students trying to plan their future.
I'm very concerned about the difficulties of students trying to plan their future. But I just know how to prioritise the importance of matters. The number one thing that will weaken students' future prospects is a lack of rigour in the system, which is what has occurred over the recent decade or two.
INcidentally @OldKingCole - I think the new A-levels WILL be going ahead, as a lot of money has been spent on it by commercial firms who might sue if they don't (publishers in particular - four of them are trying to flog me new sets of textbooks). The question is whether the AS will continue to be an integral part of the qualification (as now) or forcibly hived off (a la Gove).
Even if it's the latter, schools may well still have the option to 'certificate' Year 12 mocks so that universities have grades to go on - which would leave things much as they are.
What a fuss to make er, not many changes.
It's the GCSE that's going to be the big difference and in humanities at least, I think they're changes for the better.
Mr. G, I want an English Parliament with equal powers and responsibilities as the Scottish. In the interim, English votes for English laws would suffice.
And I would greatly prefer it if Salmond stayed north of the border.
The English constitutional settlement is an English matter, not a UK one. As the English had no say in Scotland's decision, so the Scottish should have no say in England's.
LOL, MD , Scotland has little to no powers, almost everything is reserved. They are only allowed to spend the pocket money Westminster allocates. The English have 100% say on Scotland and now they plan for us to have 0% say on the UK. Power is all in Westminster and there is no such thing as an English only matter.
Actually, Socrates, they are both teachers so are complaining about the difficulties imposed upon them by the iniquitous Mr Gove. We know he's, thankfully, gone, but the damage that he has done lives on.
For example, the elder doesn't yet know what the exam structure in her subject will be next year so cannot advise her students. Those students will be applying for University within a year or two!
Michael Gove has probably been the best cabinet minister in the UK for almost 20 years. The teachers always complain about the changes caused by a reform process. Just look at Poland, where the unions fought the process every step of the way, and yet look at them now: surging up the PISA rankings.
It probably partially explains their pro-EU views, however, if they're constantly inundated with the left-wing claptrap of the NUT. One of the reasons I worry so much about teaching in this country is that the very people who should be teaching independent thinking to the next generation are incredibly prone to political groupthink.
I have to say, as a teacher, I don't mind quite a lot of the reforms Gove has made (although his unnecessarily abrasive approach wasn't helpful) and it's Tristram Hunt I blame for the uncertainty over A-levels, because he's the silly fool who has said they might be stopped just before/just after they are due to come in.
The history courses coming in are a lot better than the ones being replaced. It's just expensive and time-consuming to sort through them all and get ready. And like most people working 70-hour weeks, teachers are not anxious for additional work coming in clumps!
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Miss Lass, you cannot complain people are being personal about Salmond in one breath and then attack them for male insecurity and hyperbole in the next.
Salmond lost his referendum in Scotland and is now talking about one in England. The changes needed for England (in my view a Parliament, possibly with English votes for English laws in the interim period) are a matter for the English to decide.
As someone from another part of the UK, who wants to make Englishmen and Scotsmen foreigners to one another, and who is seeking election to the UK Parliament where he has indicated he may vote on English-only matters, Salmond's views on this are frankly unwelcome and a period of silence from him would be welcome.
I don't want the discussion about what happens in England to be coloured by the utterances of a man who does not live here, is not from here and wishes the UK to end. His very separatist desires prejudice his opinion and taint it beyond hope of objectivity, inclining it towards divisiveness.
He will soon be living there MD and where is all this UK , one team , pooling and sharing , one nation crap. You want everything to just be English. Should we not be allowed to comment on UK matters given we are part of it.
It's perfectly legitimate for you to comment on UK matters. Just not English only ones.
Given the way the country is run there are seriously few matters that are really English only. The setup is such that almost 100% of decisions have implications in Scotland. I agree we should have a federal state and each part can run their own affairs. Current pretendy devolution does not allow for English only votes.
For major devolved issues like healthcare and education, the implications on Scotland from England-only decisions are so minor it can not possibly justify the current double standard. Either these policies are UK-interdependent ones that should be decided at Westminster, or they are predominantly home nation ones that should be decided at a devolved level. What the Scots want is to have their cake and eat it too: get policies to devolved to a Scottish parliament, but no equivalent for England. It's fundamentally dishonest.
Although, not as fundamentally dishonest as Alex Salmond's argument that referenda on the issues he wants are "saying 'yes' to change and the prospect of a different society" while referenda on those he didn't like are "about fear and worries and closing in". Even by the standards of politicians, that's a new level of hypocrisy.
Mr. Carnyx, Salmond's copy and pasted a Labour policy and added a footnote.
The question of urgency is England's governance. Prolonged deliberation, regionalisation bullshit and the House of Lords are all unnecessary distractions muttered by those wishing obfuscation rather than clarity and delay rather than decisiveness.
Salmond does not want a sustainable UK, by definition. An English Parliament, with English votes for English laws in the meantime, could provide that stability.
Equal devolution to the home nations is the clear answer to the current constitutional troubles. What amazes me is how inane the criticism of an English parliament is. They largely claim it would dominate the other home nations because of how big England is. But how could England dominate when it's restricted to powers that are already devolved elsewhere, and when such England-only issues will now be removed from influencing the UK parliament?
LOL, of course not Alan , you are an intelligent human being. I do wonder when you get absolute twerps like youdotheother pontificating about people mocking and despising a poster when they are obviously seriously addled in the brain department and have no social interaction skills and unable to have a coherent conversation. I was mocking the welsh turnip in my reply. Perhaps "I'm a man " may gain some human insight if he hangs around.
I note, despite my helpfully providing you with a dictionary so you could see that I have in fact spelled my name correctly, you still appear unable to spell ('leak out of erchie', indeed!) not to mention having a sudden attack of xenophobia.
The irony of your remarks would be all the greater if you realised what ' y doethur' actually means in English. Although it could have been worse - I could, technically, have called myself 'yr athro'.
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
Roma children have always presented difficulties. It may have escaped your notice that there have been Roma her for many, many generations. Irish "travellers" present similar difficulties.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
Miss Lass, you cannot complain people are being personal about Salmond in one breath and then attack them for male insecurity and hyperbole in the next.
Salmond lost his referendum in Scotland and is now talking about one in England. The changes needed for England (in my view a Parliament, possibly with English votes for English laws in the interim period) are a matter for the English to decide.
As someone from another part of the UK, who wants to make Englishmen and Scotsmen foreigners to one another, and who is seeking election to the UK Parliament where he has indicated he may vote on English-only matters, Salmond's views on this are frankly unwelcome and a period of silence from him would be welcome.
I don't want the discussion about what happens in England to be coloured by the utterances of a man who does not live here, is not from here and wishes the UK to end. His very separatist desires prejudice his opinion and taint it beyond hope of objectivity, inclining it towards divisiveness.
He will soon be living there MD and where is all this UK , one team , pooling and sharing , one nation crap. You want everything to just be English. Should we not be allowed to comment on UK matters given we are part of it.
It's perfectly legitimate for you to comment on UK matters. Just not English only ones.
Given the way the country is run there are seriously few matters that are really
For major devolved issues like healthcare and education, the implications on Scotland from England-only decisions are so minor it can not possibly justify the current double standard. Either these policies are UK-interdependent ones that should be decided at Westminster, or they are predominantly home nation ones that should be decided at a devolved level. What the Scots want is to have their cake and eat it too: get policies to devolved to a Scottish parliament, but no equivalent for England. It's fundamentally dishonest.
Although, not as fundamentally dishonest as Alex Salmond's argument that referenda on the issues he wants are "saying 'yes' to change and the prospect of a different society" while referenda on those he didn't like are "about fear and worries and closing in". Even by the standards of politicians, that's a new level of hypocrisy.
Not at all they are all dependent on the money spent in England to decide what their budgets are. It is pointless having "powers" if you do not control the budget. What they want is to have their own money to make their own decisions. Not to be told how and where they will spend their pocket money.
LOL, of course not Alan , you are an intelligent human being. I do wonder when you get absolute twerps like youdotheother pontificating about people mocking and despising a poster when they are obviously seriously addled in the brain department and have no social interaction skills and unable to have a coherent conversation. I was mocking the welsh turnip in my reply. Perhaps "I'm a man " may gain some human insight if he hangs around.
I note, despite my helpfully providing you with a dictionary so you could see that I have in fact spelled my name correctly, you still appear unable to spell ('leak out of erchie', indeed!) not to mention having a sudden attack of xenophobia.
The irony of your remarks would be all the greater if you realised what ' y doethur' actually means in English. Although it could have been worse - I could, technically, have called myself 'yr athro'.
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Nobody, Malcolm. My working days run from 7.30 am until 9pm, six days a week, with an hour for lunch (three of which I spend running extra classes). The 9 till 3 day unfortunately exists only in the imagination of our critics, particularly in a Certain Newspaper. I must admit I had not got you down as a reader of the Daily Mail, but hey, you live and learn...
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
Not at all they are all dependent on the money spent in England to decide what their budgets are. It is pointless having "powers" if you do not control the budget. What they want is to have their own money to make their own decisions. Not to be told how and where they will spend their pocket money.
On this, I agree with you. After deducting an amount for UK-matters on a per capita basis, each home nation should only be able to spend what it has raised in revenue. Hopefully we can do this after 2018, when we have a government surplus.
LOL, of course not Alan , you are an intelligent human being. I do wonder when you get absolute twerps like youdotheother pontificating about people mocking and despising a poster when they are obviously seriously addled in the brain department and have no social interaction skills and unable to have a coherent conversation. I was mocking the welsh turnip in my reply. Perhaps "I'm a man " may gain some human insight if he hangs around.
I note, despite my helpfully providing you with a dictionary so you could see that I have in fact spelled my name correctly, you still appear unable to spell ('leak out of erchie', indeed!) not to mention having a sudden attack of xenophobia.
The irony of your remarks would be all the greater if you realised what ' y doethur' actually means in English. Although it could have been worse - I could, technically, have called myself 'yr athro'.
I can only assume you have issues and have had a serious humour bypass as well as a lack of social skills necessary to be able to interact with humans. Given your pathetic comments I have no wish to know what your name means or to ever have to interact with you again. I pity anyone you teach , they will certainly not gain any interpersonal social skills for certain.
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
Roma children have always presented difficulties. It may have escaped your notice that there have been Roma her for many, many generations. Irish "travellers" present similar difficulties.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
I don't disagree. It's a long-standing problem. But like affordable housing and transport congestion, it's a long-standing problem that has been hugely exacerbated by immigration. We are doing two things wrong: firstly, allowing such unskilled immigration to continue and, secondly, encouraging multicultural nonsense like travellers' awareness month rather than encouraging assimilation into the British mainstream.
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Nobody, Malcolm. My working days run from 7.30 am until 9pm, six days a week, with an hour for lunch (three of which I spend running extra classes). The 9 till 3 day unfortunately exists only in the imagination of our critics, particularly in a Certain Newspaper. I must admit I had not got you down as a reader of the Daily Mail, but hey, you live and learn...
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
A civilised, informed and courteous reply to one of the most ill-informed and unpleasant posts I've ever seen on PB.
And no, I'm not a teacher. Although I'm proud to say many of my family are!
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
Roma children have always presented difficulties. It may have escaped your notice that there have been Roma her for many, many generations. Irish "travellers" present similar difficulties.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
My Dad works in an East London School, a very wide range of nationalities there as you might imagine
Last month he had to split up a row caused by a Polish Gypsy boy telling a Somalian girl "get out of our country you horrible muslim"
Not at all they are all dependent on the money spent in England to decide what their budgets are. It is pointless having "powers" if you do not control the budget. What they want is to have their own money to make their own decisions. Not to be told how and where they will spend their pocket money.
On this, I agree with you. After deducting an amount for UK-matters on a per capita basis, each home nation should only be able to spend what it has raised in revenue. Hopefully we can do this after 2018, when we have a government surplus.
Strangely, after all he has said about me, so do I. It's ridiculous that you have devolved parliaments and then ring-fence bits of funding. It negates the whole purpose of it.
I only wish I shared your optimism on that surplus you talk about. 2118 seems more like it at the moment.
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Nobody, Malcolm. My working days run from 7.30 am until 9pm, six days a week, with an hour for lunch (three of which I spend running extra classes). The 9 till 3 day unfortunately exists only in the imagination of our critics, particularly in a Certain Newspaper. I must admit I had not got you down as a reader of the Daily Mail, but hey, you live and learn...
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
I make more money in a far more interesting field. After all Those who can can , those who can't teach
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Nobody, Malcolm. My working days run from 7.30 am until 9pm, six days a week, with an hour for lunch (three of which I spend running extra classes). The 9 till 3 day unfortunately exists only in the imagination of our critics, particularly in a Certain Newspaper. I must admit I had not got you down as a reader of the Daily Mail, but hey, you live and learn...
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
A civilised, informed and courteous reply to one of the most ill-informed and unpleasant posts I've ever seen on PB.
And no, I'm not a teacher. Although I'm proud to say many of my family are!
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
Roma children have always presented difficulties. It may have escaped your notice that there have been Roma her for many, many generations. Irish "travellers" present similar difficulties.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
My Dad works in an East London School, a very wide range of nationalities there as you might imagine
Last month he had to split up a row caused by a Polish Gypsy boy telling a Somalian girl "get out of our country you horrible muslim"
#vibrant
Y....e....s! Not surprised. I suppose the only positive out of a really nasty racist row is that the lad regarded himself as European.
I think people like your father do a remarkable job. And the comment by MG about 30 hours a week just demonstrates his ignorance of the reality!
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Nobody, Malcolm. My working days run from 7.30 am until 9pm, six days a week, with an hour for lunch (three of which I spend running extra classes). The 9 till 3 day unfortunately exists only in the imagination of our critics, particularly in a Certain Newspaper. I must admit I had not got you down as a reader of the Daily Mail, but hey, you live and learn...
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
I have family members and friends who are teachers, and none of them work 7.30 am to 9pm on a Sunday or a Saturday, so either you are exaggerating or have a fairly unrepresentative experience. Some will do this for 3-4 days during the workweek, but for most it's about 11 hours a working day, Monday-Thursday, including the lunch break. Then maybe a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. And the holiday entitlements are very generous. As is the 8% pay increase every year regardless of merit.
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
Roma children have always presented difficulties. It may have escaped your notice that there have been Roma her for many, many generations. Irish "travellers" present similar difficulties.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
My Dad works in an East London School, a very wide range of nationalities there as you might imagine
Last month he had to split up a row caused by a Polish Gypsy boy telling a Somalian girl "get out of our country you horrible muslim"
#vibrant
Y....e....s! Not surprised. I suppose the only positive out of a really nasty racist row is that the lad regarded himself as European.
I think people like your father do a remarkable job. And the comment by MG about 30 hours a week just demonstrates his ignorance of the reality!
Another numpty with a humour bypass and lack of social skills. What is in the water down there to make you all so lacking in life skills.
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
Nobody, Malcolm. My working days run from 7.30 am until 9pm, six days a week, with an hour for lunch (three of which I spend running extra classes). The 9 till 3 day unfortunately exists only in the imagination of our critics, particularly in a Certain Newspaper. I must admit I had not got you down as a reader of the Daily Mail, but hey, you live and learn...
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
A civilised, informed and courteous reply to one of the most ill-informed and unpleasant posts I've ever seen on PB.
And no, I'm not a teacher. Although I'm proud to say many of my family are!
you obviously are not on here often
I am on far too often, I am told. And you, malcolmg, from your comment to ydoethur are a person who cannot recognise past services.. After all, that you are able to post here means that at some point some teacher taught you to read and write. Unfortunately they failed to civilise you.
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
Roma children have always presented difficulties. It may have escaped your notice that there have been Roma her for many, many generations. Irish "travellers" present similar difficulties.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
My Dad works in an East London School, a very wide range of nationalities there as you might imagine
Last month he had to split up a row caused by a Polish Gypsy boy telling a Somalian girl "get out of our country you horrible muslim"
#vibrant
Y....e....s! Not surprised. I suppose the only positive out of a really nasty racist row is that the lad regarded himself as European.
I think people like your father do a remarkable job. And the comment by MG about 30 hours a week just demonstrates his ignorance of the reality!
Yeah they do quite a lot for the poor kids too, things like Breakfast club so those not well off get a meal to start the day off
He works with the kids in special measures generally, so I guess I hear the worst cases.. but he said it is utter chaos a lot of the time
Natasha Bolter worked there for 5 mins.. useless fantasist apparently!
I have family members and friends who are teachers, and none of them work 7.30 am to 9pm on a Sunday or a Saturday, so either you are exaggerating or have a fairly unrepresentative experience. Some will do this for 3-4 days during the workweek, but for most it's about 11 hours a working day, Monday-Thursday, including the lunch break. Then maybe a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. And the holiday entitlements are very generous. As is the 8% pay increase every year regardless of merit.
I think it depends a little bit on what school you teach in. The schools I have worked in for a couple of years are high-achieving and therefore heavy on the marking because there's a lot to mark. I'm guessing, although I could easily be wrong, that @Isam's dad (respect to anyone who teaches in a school that - I did a couple of years ago and I found it a terrible experience) has less marking, but is more drained at the end of an average lesson than I am.
It also depends on subjects - history involves more time-consuming marking than PE or chemistry, although we don't usually have to do H&S assessments. It may also be because I am a new head of department and therefore have a lot of extra paperwork to do, particularly with all these new exams coming in (we're also working on developing a new system of data management that I've been helping with, which has been very time-consuming). I am hopeful that next term will be a little easier, but as we're expecting OFSTED I'm not banking on it.
The one thing I can assure you of is that I am not exaggerating!
Yeah they do quite a lot for the poor kids too, things like Breakfast club so those not well off get a meal to start the day off
He works with the kids in special measures generally, so I guess I hear the worst cases.. but he said it is utter chaos a lot of the time
Natasha Bolter worked there for 5 mins.. useless fantasist apparently!
That doesn't surprise me. The school I worked in fairly brutal cases of assault were nothing unusual. We had a permanent police presence on sight in case it got too far out of hand.
I think anyone who is willing to go and work - and stay - in an environment like that deserves a medal and a large annual bonus. I tried it and although I flatter myself I'm a strong and determined character, I couldn't do it.
Why does GeoffM have the arms of Gibraltar next to his name? Perhaps to remind us that in Gib income tax starts at £25,000 per annum, state education is excellent, petrol 80p per litre, and the sun always shines. We can all dream
PS - it occurs to me that your father may not have a typical experience either. 8% pay rises have gone (mine was 1% this year) and also PRP has been brought in to end automatic increment. That wasn't popular, although it was overdue - there were more than a few teachers I met who basically coasted along but were doing so nicely out of the profession they wouldn't go. Not a good scenario. PRP should end that (although whether it will depends a bit on how intelligently it's applied in practice).
If your dad's still getting that, I've no complaints given what he has to deal with. He deserves a lot more, frankly. But not everyone does get such things now.
LOL I could have bet you were a pompous windbag whinging teacher. 70 hours a week, LOL , 9am till 3:30pm , with 90 minutes breaks , countless service days and 17 weeks holidays a year , who are you trying to kid.
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
May I say how pleased I am to see you firmly contradict the stupid accusations laid at an entire profession. Its a bit like GPs. Its not hours or anything anyway. Its good and bad teachers, like good and bad anything that is our concern. The reason I am drawn to comment is that I was talking to the mother of a young teacher only tonight who said she was amazed at the hours and effort went into the job. And the lack of sleep.
Mr g says ,,, ''Given the way the country is run there are seriously few matters that are really English only. '' Preposterous and self serving. Huge items and sums of money revolve around English only matters. Why cannot Scottish MPs vote on devolved matters? Why should they vote on English only matters but not in the slightest on Scottish only matters?
Yeah they do quite a lot for the poor kids too, things like Breakfast club so those not well off get a meal to start the day off
He works with the kids in special measures generally, so I guess I hear the worst cases.. but he said it is utter chaos a lot of the time
Natasha Bolter worked there for 5 mins.. useless fantasist apparently!
That doesn't surprise me. The school I worked in fairly brutal cases of assault were nothing unusual. We had a permanent police presence on sight in case it got too far out of hand.
I think anyone who is willing to go and work - and stay - in an environment like that deserves a medal and a large annual bonus. I tried it and although I flatter myself I'm a strong and determined character, I couldn't do it.
Oh he is 68 now and a teaching assistant (crowd control) so he gets his pension too
He was a labourer on a building site/worked at Spitalfields market/ until he was 35 then taught mentally handicapped in Tower Hamlets in the 80s... Became a sports coach and now doesnt want to retire, he loves it!
May I say how pleased I am to see you firmly contradict the stupid accusations laid at an entire profession. Its a bit like GPs. Its not hours or anything anyway. Its good and bad teachers, like good and bad anything that is our concern. The reason I am drawn to comment is that I was talking to the mother of a young teacher only tonight who said she was amazed at the hours and effort went into the job. And the lack of sleep.
Thanks Flightpath.
I think you're right about good and bad teachers. The snag, of course, is that very often really good teachers are good at a lot of things. Paperwork? Check. Organisation? Check. Speaking in public? Check. Explaining ideas? Check. Decent knowledge of a subject? That's more hit and miss - I know a brilliant teacher with a lower second, and I sometimes find my own qualifications hinder as much as they help - but yes, often well-qualified to.
And of course, those are the people who have a decent chance of a job outside if they get fed up with teaching - and because they care, they work hard, they lie awake worrying about how to get things right for one child who's not doing so well, and feel guilty if anything goes wrong, and as a result they're always tired and often miserable, and have no choice but to give up. So, it's very often the most capable teachers who are lost to the profession, put off by the hours and the strain. Bad ones stay in surprisingly often, not because they like it (they hate it) but because they can't escape. And of course, if they hate teaching, it will show in their teaching and the lack of effort they make, and their classes will become aware of it, and start to put no effort in, or act up - and there you have a 'perfect storm' developing.
I have long been an advocate of much smaller class sizes in the state sector, particularly in inner-city schools, to try and address the amount of work and worry that goes in to teaching. Teaching a class of 15-20 is a totally different proposition from one of 34 (yes, I have had a class of 34). Not only is planning easier, and control easier, and knowing each child easier, the marking load is nigh on halved. But that's probably a Utopian ideal given how much it would cost.
I can't comment about GPs - I don't know enough. All I can say is that I have had some medical treatment recently and when I was asked by my doctor if stress might be a factor I said 'Quite possibly - but I hear what you guys go through, so I'm not going to do any boasting about my workload!'
Oh he is 68 now and a teaching assistant (crowd control) so he gets his pension too
He was a labourer on a building site/worked at Spitalfields market/ until he was 35 then taught mentally handicapped in Tower Hamlets in the 80s... Became a sports coach and now doesnt want to retire, he loves it!
That makes him even more valuable. A good teaching assistant, one the children can relate to a bit with some actual life experience, is worth their weight in gold in that situation. I've been with them and without them, and I know!
Oh he is 68 now and a teaching assistant (crowd control) so he gets his pension too
He was a labourer on a building site/worked at Spitalfields market/ until he was 35 then taught mentally handicapped in Tower Hamlets in the 80s... Became a sports coach and now doesnt want to retire, he loves it!
That makes him even more valuable. A good teaching assistant, one the children can relate to a bit with some actual life experience, is worth their weight in gold in that situation. I've been with them and without them, and I know!
Why does GeoffM have the arms of Gibraltar next to his name? Perhaps to remind us that in Gib income tax starts at £25,000 per annum, state education is excellent, petrol 80p per litre, and the sun always shines. We can all dream
I paid 86p per litre this morning, @franklyn, but that was at the frontier station so always a bit pricier there. And yes, it was very sunny today!
Comments
It probably partially explains their pro-EU views, however, if they're constantly inundated with the left-wing claptrap of the NUT. One of the reasons I worry so much about teaching in this country is that the very people who should be teaching independent thinking to the next generation are incredibly prone to political groupthink.
My understanding is they are planning a nationwide campaign, but I'm not an expert and I could easily be wrong. I believe they are planning to stand here in Cannock, and in a seat where they have zero chance of even a third-placed finish, that seems a good indicator of a more widespread campaign than before (whether that's wise or not is another question). And I know it will depend on finance as well - but I'm thinking that's not likely to be a problem after the last few weeks of publicity.
What they could really do with is a union backing them - that would really open things up. But of course, it will never happen - well, not this side of the next Labour government, anyway.
http://tinyurl.com/lt67byr
Engage brain before mouth comes to mind!
The history courses coming in are a lot better than the ones being replaced. It's just expensive and time-consuming to sort through them all and get ready. And like most people working 70-hour weeks, teachers are not anxious for additional work coming in clumps!
Even if it's the latter, schools may well still have the option to 'certificate' Year 12 mocks so that universities have grades to go on - which would leave things much as they are.
What a fuss to make er, not many changes.
It's the GCSE that's going to be the big difference and in humanities at least, I think they're changes for the better.
The English have 100% say on Scotland and now they plan for us to have 0% say on the UK. Power is all in Westminster and there is no such thing as an English only matter.
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-30494269
Yet another situation that is causing increasing strain on the system and caused by open door immigration.
"Take the leak out of your erchie"
I love it!
(should it be leak or leek?)
Although, not as fundamentally dishonest as Alex Salmond's argument that referenda on the issues he wants are "saying 'yes' to change and the prospect of a different society" while referenda on those he didn't like are "about fear and worries and closing in". Even by the standards of politicians, that's a new level of hypocrisy.
The irony of your remarks would be all the greater if you realised what ' y doethur' actually means in English. Although it could have been worse - I could, technically, have called myself 'yr athro'.
In my extended family I have three "children" of travellers. Two have degrees and professional qualifications. Sadly, one fell by the wayside, into drugs.
But there is one question - if teaching is so easy, why are you not doing it? After all, you claim to be intelligent, literate, passionate and inspirational. And it's not badly paid, and I am on holiday for a couple of weeks now, which admittedly is quite nice. Decent promotion prospects too, if you're prepared to work at it.
It always puzzles me that such people as you think we have it so easy - and then refuse invitations to come and join us. After all, if 'Welsh turnips' can teach, surely a brilliant man like yourself could?
Given your pathetic comments I have no wish to know what your name means or to ever have to interact with you again. I pity anyone you teach , they will certainly not gain any interpersonal social skills for certain.
And no, I'm not a teacher. Although I'm proud to say many of my family are!
Last month he had to split up a row caused by a Polish Gypsy boy telling a Somalian girl "get out of our country you horrible muslim"
#vibrant
I only wish I shared your optimism on that surplus you talk about. 2118 seems more like it at the moment.
I think people like your father do a remarkable job. And the comment by MG about 30 hours a week just demonstrates his ignorance of the reality!
Unfortunately they failed to civilise you.
He works with the kids in special measures generally, so I guess I hear the worst cases.. but he said it is utter chaos a lot of the time
Natasha Bolter worked there for 5 mins.. useless fantasist apparently!
It also depends on subjects - history involves more time-consuming marking than PE or chemistry, although we don't usually have to do H&S assessments. It may also be because I am a new head of department and therefore have a lot of extra paperwork to do, particularly with all these new exams coming in (we're also working on developing a new system of data management that I've been helping with, which has been very time-consuming). I am hopeful that next term will be a little easier, but as we're expecting OFSTED I'm not banking on it.
The one thing I can assure you of is that I am not exaggerating!
I think anyone who is willing to go and work - and stay - in an environment like that deserves a medal and a large annual bonus. I tried it and although I flatter myself I'm a strong and determined character, I couldn't do it.
Perhaps to remind us that in Gib income tax starts at £25,000 per annum, state education is excellent, petrol 80p per litre, and the sun always shines. We can all dream
If your dad's still getting that, I've no complaints given what he has to deal with. He deserves a lot more, frankly. But not everyone does get such things now.
Its not hours or anything anyway. Its good and bad teachers, like good and bad anything that is our concern. The reason I am drawn to comment is that I was talking to the mother of a young teacher only tonight who said she was amazed at the hours and effort went into the job. And the lack of sleep.
Preposterous and self serving. Huge items and sums of money revolve around English only matters. Why cannot Scottish MPs vote on devolved matters? Why should they vote on English only matters but not in the slightest on Scottish only matters?
He was a labourer on a building site/worked at Spitalfields market/ until he was 35 then taught mentally handicapped in Tower Hamlets in the 80s... Became a sports coach and now doesnt want to retire, he loves it!
I think you're right about good and bad teachers. The snag, of course, is that very often really good teachers are good at a lot of things. Paperwork? Check. Organisation? Check. Speaking in public? Check. Explaining ideas? Check. Decent knowledge of a subject? That's more hit and miss - I know a brilliant teacher with a lower second, and I sometimes find my own qualifications hinder as much as they help - but yes, often well-qualified to.
And of course, those are the people who have a decent chance of a job outside if they get fed up with teaching - and because they care, they work hard, they lie awake worrying about how to get things right for one child who's not doing so well, and feel guilty if anything goes wrong, and as a result they're always tired and often miserable, and have no choice but to give up. So, it's very often the most capable teachers who are lost to the profession, put off by the hours and the strain. Bad ones stay in surprisingly often, not because they like it (they hate it) but because they can't escape. And of course, if they hate teaching, it will show in their teaching and the lack of effort they make, and their classes will become aware of it, and start to put no effort in, or act up - and there you have a 'perfect storm' developing.
I have long been an advocate of much smaller class sizes in the state sector, particularly in inner-city schools, to try and address the amount of work and worry that goes in to teaching. Teaching a class of 15-20 is a totally different proposition from one of 34 (yes, I have had a class of 34). Not only is planning easier, and control easier, and knowing each child easier, the marking load is nigh on halved. But that's probably a Utopian ideal given how much it would cost.
I can't comment about GPs - I don't know enough. All I can say is that I have had some medical treatment recently and when I was asked by my doctor if stress might be a factor I said 'Quite possibly - but I hear what you guys go through, so I'm not going to do any boasting about my workload!'
Long may he continue to feel that way!
new thread