They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
No GCSEs is going to make working out what work to set for my Y11 classes a bit more of a challenge: going though past papers may not be the best thing to motivate them.
Deaths: +475 for a total of 1084 Healed: +1084 for a total of 4025 Current cases 28710 (2648 net increase compared to yesterday. So 4207 new cases) In ICU 2257 (197 net increase)
Meanwhile, the minister for Sport is threating to ban any outdoor individual activities if people continue to use going out for jogging as a way to meet people in the parks
The Pope: “I asked the Lord to stop the epidemic: Lord, stop it with your hand. That’s what I prayed for.”.
Total deaths are much higher than that, no?
yes, sorry. I put the healed figures twice. Total deaths is 2978
Total road deaths in Italy in year 2017 (most recent figure I can find) 3378.
So nearly there, in 4 weeks. "Sense of perspective" theorists please note.
The death toll from New York alone will probably exceed 9/11 within a few weeks.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
As an example, an extraordinary term over the summer for the qualifications, and delayed term starts for the new year. These students aren't going to be left to fall through the cracks just because they were unlucky enough to be in the wrong year.
Schools close Friday, I`m not clear why GCSEs have ben postponed. Surely at this stage the assumption is for schools to resume after the Easter hols??
That is highly unlikely.
Peak Coronavirus is predicted mid May, which is right when GCSEs kick off. You can't pack hundreds of teenagers into a stuffy hall together for hours on end, it will spread like wildfire.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
And 'vulnerable children' with social workers and health and care plans
Coming from that sector...we'll soon be reverting to vulnerable children with 19th century definitions....ie only those at immediate threat of being murdered
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
Schools close Friday, I`m not clear why GCSEs have ben postponed. Surely at this stage the assumption is for schools to resume after the Easter hols??
That is highly unlikely.
Peak Coronavirus is predicted mid May, which is right when GCSEs kick off. You can't pack hundreds of teenagers into a stuffy hall together for hours on end, it will spread like wildfire.
It’s clear to me that schools will be closed til September. I can’t see the current restrictions being over until mid June at the very earliest.
No GCSEs is going to make working out what work to set for my Y11 classes a bit more of a challenge: going though past papers may not be the best thing to motivate them.
A legend in our school was very Oirish Physics Teacher Mr Doyle who seemed obsessed with "Forry Jackets". Do some exciting practicals. Are you still allowed to make dangerous things explode...?
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
Schools close Friday, I`m not clear why GCSEs have ben postponed. Surely at this stage the assumption is for schools to resume after the Easter hols??
That is highly unlikely.
Peak Coronavirus is predicted mid May, which is right when GCSEs kick off. You can't pack hundreds of teenagers into a stuffy hall together for hours on end, it will spread like wildfire.
It’s clear to me that schools will be closed til September. I can’t see the current restrictions being over until mid June at the very earliest.
Yes we are in for 3 months of this.
For some reason 3 months sounds a lot less onerous than 4 months.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
The time must be coming that the quality, knowledge and attitude of the media is actually a negative power of good in covid 19 especially when compared with HMG advisors
After the GE of 2019, I stepped away from here for a good while. I'd have enough of politics for a good long time. But I've recently been back, mostly lurking, because you can't be PB for the best update in news, especially on Covid-19.
So news from the frontline in Merseyside, which is mostly limited to where I work, and my town of Crosby.
At work, we have one suspected Covid-19 infection. A fit and healthy lady who is 25 years old. She's developed a cough and been off since the weekend. She never gets coughs normally. She's then passed it to her boyfriend.
For myself, my wife has also developed a cough, and despite even the local doctor suggesting it is asthma related, she's been told to self-isolate. So have I, and my daughter was dumped out of school IMMEDIATELY we told them we needed a pack of school work for hometime.
So I'm sat at home, trying to work whilst my wife coughs and splutters everywhere and my daughter jumps on my head. My wife doesn't have the virus, but we're not allowed to take a chance. Found out my daughter is the fourth in her school to be thrown out (out of only 210 children).
Shops are being cleared as soon as they are filled. Can't get anything with any certainty unless its dog food or gluten free bread!
Local restaurants, cafes and pubs are open. Social distancing seems to be a dirty word and no one is paying any attention to it yet. We'll see how long this lasts though.
At work, because I'm an accountant, we're hearing bad things from clients. One has been asked if they redo the budgets to show zero income, could they survive? Another has delayed their accounts for several weeks. Without speaking to other clients, I suspect quite a few are struggling.
I know other relatives are self-isolating but this is because they are in a high risk group (either elderly or with underlying problems). No CERTAIN confirmed cases, though I'm sure my work colleague has it.
And that's it. Going to get a lot worse before it gets better I think.
My sympathies - I suspect that so many of us are going to be in a similar position very quickly.
As for Gluten Free bread don't count on it. We make GF Bread Mix (and a whole load of other stuff) for Morrisons and our mixes have been absolutely wiped out...
Keep the fact based local reports coming no politics just what’s happening where you are
I couldn't care less about party politics right now. It simply doesn't matter
I wasn’t implying you were sorry if you thought that. I agree with you I find the information side interesting and at the moment more relevant than opinion polls etc
No GCSEs is going to make working out what work to set for my Y11 classes a bit more of a challenge: going though past papers may not be the best thing to motivate them.
A legend in our school was very Oirish Physics Teacher Mr Doyle who seemed obsessed with "Forry Jackets". Do some exciting practicals. Are you still allowed to make dangerous things explode...?
Difficult to do via Teams.
There are lots of interesting YouTube videos out there that I suppose I could recommend.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
The time must be coming that the quality, knowledge and attitude of the media is actually a negative power of good in covid 19 especially when compared with HMG advisors
That road leads to state censorship; is that what you want Big_G?
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
The time must be coming that the quality, knowledge and attitude of the media is actually a negative power of good in covid 19 especially when compared with HMG advisors
That road leads to state censorship; is that what you want Big_G?
Maybe the censorship could only apply to Robert Peston.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
How
By investing in proper capabilities to monitor and deal with epidemics. This was for seen and there were options. Instead we focused on other things.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
This is a once in a generation event. Life is not a straight road all of the time.
Shows my ignorance - I assumed the current test would indicate if somebody has had it and recovered.
It sounds like there is already a test out there? I thought it was still being developed.
As far as the latest news goes there is no test yet anywhere that shows you have had the disease. But a fair few labs think they are close. The current increase in testing to 25,000 a day all seems to be based on the current test which will only show if you have the active disease.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Crash building for capacity? When I was a boy we just used portakabins.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
This is a once in a generation event. Life is not a straight road all of the time.
Almost once in a lifetime, given that it must be the biggest crisis since 1940.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
How
By investing in proper capabilities to monitor and deal with epidemics. This was for seen and there were options. Instead we focused on other things.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Yes. Then align the academic year with the calendar year with everyone moving up a year in January.
Hard luck to those who make those silly diaries that run from September to August.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Yes. Then align the academic year with the calendar year with everyone moving up a year in January.
Hard luck to those who make those silly diaries that run from September to August.
Love him or hate him would anyone want to be Boris right now
Boris is exactly where he wants to be right now - he has always wanted to be Prime Minister, to lead the country and part of that leadership is about dealing with a national crisis just as Churchill faced and others have faced.
It is that essence of leadership that separates the politician from the statesman. Very few have ever had it - Churchill certainly, Thatcher probably. The other PMs of recent times weren't tested in the same fire - go back a century and Asquith wasn't up to it and neither was Eden over Suez.
The country faces a time of crisis and it is at times like this that leadership is required. That requires trusting your instinct and your judgement even if it is contrary to advice. The mark of a true leader is coming through that doubt and prevailing - Thatcher believed we had to retake the Falklands even when she was told it was impossible or unwise, Churchill believed we could defeat Hitler even when others counselled seeking terms.
This is different but no less a challenge and it will either be the making or breaking of Boris Johnson.
What sort of imbecile announces that exams are cancelled but refuses to explain what system he has put in place to replace them?
Twat.
He clearly hasn’t even spoken to Ofqual or the JCQ yet.
I am expecting to find my students in a panic tomorrow and I don’t blame them.
If they didn't see this coming a week ago then they certainly deserve a Fail.
Frankly its been coming for at least 3 weeks. The provisional plan of the SQA was to have the exams in closed schools. I think that is already banned. Plan B is that they may be sat in September or August. Whether that makes the light of day is still up for grabs.
On Scottish independence, the big bazooka is the power of being in the Union. The Scottish government would never be able to sell £40-50bn worth of bonds as an independent nation and the UK government wouldn't allow for the BoE to buy Scottish Sterling bonds as they have no control over policy.
In times of crisis having a viable currency and central bank is really important.
Smaller governing units are indeed more constrained by the reality of the market than big ones, however this is a good thing. it will stop, or at least make it harder for them to terrible things to there nations long term health, like this exercise at throwing money perceived problems, and then when it makes things worse, calming 'it would even worse if we did not blow all the money so recklessly.
I seem to be the only one oh here with such opinions, so I will try not to be a boor by going on and on about it, but I do want to state for the record that this will not help, there may be a few contrary that avoid this sort of thing and in the long run will be much better for it. I would like to think that at that point, at least somebody remembers and reflects on this warning,
Usual bollox from unionists ( Max ) , always whining on about how Scotland is too wee and too stupid to survive, they seem blind to fact that most small countries are doing far better than UK and all we get is saddled with is paying England's debts. We would not need to borrow so much in the first place as we would be running the country properly in the first place.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Crash building for capacity? When I was a boy we just used portakabins.
Portakabins... For years Mrs P. thought they were pronounced Por-take-a-bins
Edit: Mind you, when I first saw bagels I thought you pronounced them 'baggles' lol.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
How
By investing in proper capabilities to monitor and deal with epidemics. This was for seen and there were options. Instead we focused on other things.
What sort of imbecile announces that exams are cancelled but refuses to explain what system he has put in place to replace them?
Twat.
He clearly hasn’t even spoken to Ofqual or the JCQ yet.
I am expecting to find my students in a panic tomorrow and I don’t blame them.
Because these things take time to organise but closing schools won't wait.
If he had announced the schools were closing but made no mention of exams you would have been screaming about that as well.
Basically you will never be satisfied by anything he says, which reflects far more on you than it does on the Government.
No I wouldn’t. I would have expected him to make a call on that later.
Then your students would have been in an even greater panic tomorrow. Schools closed but they might still have to take their exams? That would really have upset things.
This was literally the only thing they cold have done at this point. Delaying closing the schools would have been unconscionable, closing schools but making no comment on exams or saying they would still go ahead would be terrible.
They have closed the schools as lots of teachers were screaming for them to do and have said that no child will lose out because of missing exams. What else would you have them do?
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
This is a once in a generation event. Life is not a straight road all of the time.
Almost once in a lifetime, given that it must be the biggest crisis since 1940.
Brexit just seems all so pathetic and unimportant now.
The time must be coming that the quality, knowledge and attitude of the media is actually a negative power of good in covid 19 especially when compared with HMG advisors
Given the government's pathetically sluggish and cack-handed response I think the media- and social media- may have saved 10s or 100s of thousands of lives by pressuring them to act faster.
The time must be coming that the quality, knowledge and attitude of the media is actually a negative power of good in covid 19 especially when compared with HMG advisors
That road leads to state censorship; is that what you want Big_G?
I am categorically not seeking state censorship, just more intelligent and thoughtful questioning from the media which is lacking so much in so many journalists and as his been noted Peston is top of the list
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Yes. Then align the academic year with the calendar year with everyone moving up a year in January.
Hard luck to those who make those silly diaries that run from September to August.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
This is a once in a generation event. Life is not a straight road all of the time.
Almost once in a lifetime, given that it must be the biggest crisis since 1940.
Brexit just seems all so pathetic and unimportant now.
Agreed. I no longer give a toss about Brexit, and I suspect many other Remainers and Leavers feel similarly.
Pupils of key workers should turn up at their schools on monday
Define "key workers" Mr Johnson. NHS staff, police, fire obviously. Supermarket and pharmacy staff I assume. And their supply chains? And the factories who make the food and pharmaceuticals? How about the people who keep phones and broadband running. Power and utilities. Who else?
How about the "I need to work and have no childcare and my neandertal boss will fire me" worker. Will we now see kids sat in the front of your Amazon delivery van? Etc etc.
Need to Think Through The Details. Then make announcements. Schools are all closed. Except for children who need to come to school. So schools remain open then...
Love him or hate him would anyone want to be Boris right now
Boris is exactly where he wants to be right now - he has always wanted to be Prime Minister, to lead the country and part of that leadership is about dealing with a national crisis just as Churchill faced and others have faced.
It is that essence of leadership that separates the politician from the statesman. Very few have ever had it - Churchill certainly, Thatcher probably. The other PMs of recent times weren't tested in the same fire - go back a century and Asquith wasn't up to it and neither was Eden over Suez.
The country faces a time of crisis and it is at times like this that leadership is required. That requires trusting your instinct and your judgement even if it is contrary to advice. The mark of a true leader is coming through that doubt and prevailing - Thatcher believed we had to retake the Falklands even when she was told it was impossible or unwise, Churchill believed we could defeat Hitler even when others counselled seeking terms.
This is different but no less a challenge and it will either be the making or breaking of Boris Johnson.
He wouldn't have it any other way.
Boris Johnson is joking about Brexit and blithering incomprehensibly about schools
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
This is a once in a generation event. Life is not a straight road all of the time.
Almost once in a lifetime, given that it must be the biggest crisis since 1940.
Brexit just seems all so pathetic and unimportant now.
Love him or hate him would anyone want to be Boris right now
Boris is exactly where he wants to be right now - he has always wanted to be Prime Minister, to lead the country and part of that leadership is about dealing with a national crisis just as Churchill faced and others have faced.
It is that essence of leadership that separates the politician from the statesman. Very few have ever had it - Churchill certainly, Thatcher probably. The other PMs of recent times weren't tested in the same fire - go back a century and Asquith wasn't up to it and neither was Eden over Suez.
The country faces a time of crisis and it is at times like this that leadership is required. That requires trusting your instinct and your judgement even if it is contrary to advice. The mark of a true leader is coming through that doubt and prevailing - Thatcher believed we had to retake the Falklands even when she was told it was impossible or unwise, Churchill believed we could defeat Hitler even when others counselled seeking terms.
This is different but no less a challenge and it will either be the making or breaking of Boris Johnson.
Not really. Certainly no more than any other generation in history. This really is an 'Act of God' which it would have been impossible or impractical to prepare for.
What's more, look at the incredible achievements in the response: from a standing start, the genetic sequence of the virus had been completely determined in weeks, and the information disseminated around the world, with candidate vaccines already in clinical trials or about to be.
Not much help in the immediate crisis, of course, but stunning all the same.
What sort of imbecile announces that exams are cancelled but refuses to explain what system he has put in place to replace them?
Twat.
He clearly hasn’t even spoken to Ofqual or the JCQ yet.
I am expecting to find my students in a panic tomorrow and I don’t blame them.
Because these things take time to organise but closing schools won't wait.
If he had announced the schools were closing but made no mention of exams you would have been screaming about that as well.
Basically you will never be satisfied by anything he says, which reflects far more on you than it does on the Government.
No I wouldn’t. I would have expected him to make a call on that later.
Then your students would have been in an even greater panic tomorrow. Schools closed but they might still have to take their exams? That would really have upset things.
This was literally the only thing they cold have done at this point. Delaying closing the schools would have been unconscionable, closing schools but making no comment on exams or saying they would still go ahead would be terrible.
They have closed the schools as lots of teachers were screaming for them to do and have said that no child will lose out because of missing exams. What else would you have them do?
You know, I was going to reply in detail, but it’s not worth it. You don’t understand and you don’t care, and you never will.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Crash building for capacity? When I was a boy we just used portakabins.
They are hardly going to be left with no qualifications, are they?
Come off it. It’s a big deal.
I'm not saying it isn't!
Well you seem dismissive.
No, I was just making the point that they aren't doomed to a life without qualifications. If you had a kid, would you be telling them that they would now never be getting qualifications, or that it is delayed for a few months? I know which I'd be telling them.
The delay is a big deal for something you have been working towards for three years. It’s a lot of extra work to revise, forget it and then revise all over again.
Yes, but don't you see my point about what message should be sent?
“Sorry, we fucked up” is probably the best message.
I wouldn't describe this as a fuck up. They have a good reason to do this.
Our generation has fucked up massively. This whole thing was avoidable.
This is a once in a generation event. Life is not a straight road all of the time.
Almost once in a lifetime, given that it must be the biggest crisis since 1940.
Brexit just seems all so pathetic and unimportant now.
Not really. Certainly no more than any other generation in history. This really is an 'Act of God' which it would have been impossible or impractical to prepare for.
What's more, look at the incredible achievements in the response: from a standing start, the genetic sequence of the virus had been completely determined in weeks, and the information disseminated around the world, with candidate vaccines already in clinical trials or about to be.
Not much help in the immediate crisis, of course, but stunning all the same.
Shows my ignorance - I assumed the current test would indicate if somebody has had it and recovered.
It sounds like there is already a test out there? I thought it was still being developed.
As far as the latest news goes there is no test yet anywhere that shows you have had the disease. But a fair few labs think they are close. The current increase in testing to 25,000 a day all seems to be based on the current test which will only show if you have the active disease.
... if you actually have the virus. A pedantic but important differenence.
When? After the kids have started their A-Levels? And A-Levels after they have started their degree courses? Award the certificates based on work to date and thus the predicted grade and move on. As a recruiting manager I don't really care what someone got in lower stages of education - GSCEs and A-Levsl are stepping stones.
I suggested earlier just reset the school year through the system so they all start again in September, crash building program for new year -1 and additional teachers. To include universities as well
Crash building for capacity? When I was a boy we just used portakabins.
In my school too. They were bloody awful.
Useful too though... for hiding underneath when you were up to no good.
Pupils of key workers should turn up at their schools on monday
Define "key workers" Mr Johnson. NHS staff, police, fire obviously. Supermarket and pharmacy staff I assume. And their supply chains? And the factories who make the food and pharmaceuticals? How about the people who keep phones and broadband running. Power and utilities. Who else?
How about the "I need to work and have no childcare and my neandertal boss will fire me" worker. Will we now see kids sat in the front of your Amazon delivery van? Etc etc.
Need to Think Through The Details. Then make announcements. Schools are all closed. Except for children who need to come to school. So schools remain open then...
Thanks for that post, I was going to wright something similer but I think you have worded it better than I could.
Comments
Shows my ignorance - I assumed the current test would indicate if somebody has had it and recovered.
Peak Coronavirus is predicted mid May, which is right when GCSEs kick off. You can't pack hundreds of teenagers into a stuffy hall together for hours on end, it will spread like wildfire.
Coming from that sector...we'll soon be reverting to vulnerable children with 19th century definitions....ie only those at immediate threat of being murdered
Yes we are in for 3 months of this.
Twat.
He clearly hasn’t even spoken to Ofqual or the JCQ yet.
I am expecting to find my students in a panic tomorrow and I don’t blame them.
Schools and public transport still open today in London is madness
There are lots of interesting YouTube videos out there that I suppose I could recommend.
If he had announced the schools were closing but made no mention of exams you would have been screaming about that as well.
Basically you will never be satisfied by anything he says, which reflects far more on you than it does on the Government.
Women 601
Men 1402
Average age: 83.7 for women and 79.5 for men
17 were aged below 50
Pupils of key workers should turn up at their schools on monday
As for your last sentence, it does not deserve a response.
Hard luck to those who make those silly diaries that run from September to August.
It is that essence of leadership that separates the politician from the statesman. Very few have ever had it - Churchill certainly, Thatcher probably. The other PMs of recent times weren't tested in the same fire - go back a century and Asquith wasn't up to it and neither was Eden over Suez.
The country faces a time of crisis and it is at times like this that leadership is required. That requires trusting your instinct and your judgement even if it is contrary to advice. The mark of a true leader is coming through that doubt and prevailing - Thatcher believed we had to retake the Falklands even when she was told it was impossible or unwise, Churchill believed we could defeat Hitler even when others counselled seeking terms.
This is different but no less a challenge and it will either be the making or breaking of Boris Johnson.
He wouldn't have it any other way.
Honestly...we might not have a fucking EU, and the fundamental role of the state may have changed in these months...
He just needs to deflect the question.....
Edit: Mind you, when I first saw bagels I thought you pronounced them 'baggles' lol.
This was literally the only thing they cold have done at this point. Delaying closing the schools would have been unconscionable, closing schools but making no comment on exams or saying they would still go ahead would be terrible.
They have closed the schools as lots of teachers were screaming for them to do and have said that no child will lose out because of missing exams. What else would you have them do?
Ho hum.
Given women live longer than men and comprise a larger proportion of the elderly, those gender figures are especially stark.
How about the "I need to work and have no childcare and my neandertal boss will fire me" worker. Will we now see kids sat in the front of your Amazon delivery van? Etc etc.
Need to Think Through The Details. Then make announcements. Schools are all closed. Except for children who need to come to school. So schools remain open then...
What's more, look at the incredible achievements in the response: from a standing start, the genetic sequence of the virus had been completely determined in weeks, and the information disseminated around the world, with candidate vaccines already in clinical trials or about to be.
Not much help in the immediate crisis, of course, but stunning all the same.