UK spending power 'in heavy fall'

baby_boomer

If only they were Grange Hill.

For a civil servant, you have an odd idea about London geography, Sir Humphrey. It's not like Manchester.

Sir_Humphrey

baby_boomer wrote: »

For a civil servant, you have an odd idea about London geography, Sir Humphrey. It's not like Manchester.

???

Unlike I suspect most people here, I actually went to a Comprehensive.

The point I am making is that the problem with Inner City Comprehensive is the "Inner City" part, not the "Comprehensive".

For every Grammar, you end up with at least one Secondary Modern. 11 years old is far too young to write off youngsters, particularly those who may be late developers.

moneysaving_pharmacist

State grammar schools are still around in Kent and I was fortunate enough to go to a good one. I had opportunities that would not be availble at a comp - we studied latin, two foreign languages, there is an indoor swimming pool and large playing fields. Grammar schools are excellent for the top 25% of students. The quality of the secondary moderns is variable, but my g/f is now teaching at a good one.

MissMoneypenny

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

My father was from a wokring class background, and he is now one of the leading academics in his field, having been to a Comprehensive school.

I went to a Comprehensive, went to a state sixth form college, before going to Oxford.

Brainy children will always do well in education. With the universities usually showing up who the naturally brainy children are and who got there by being spoon fed.

I say usually, as I do know of a boarding school boy who nicked some (nearly all?) of his work from the Internet at university and got a first. He was caught before graduation day, but instead of failing him, after a lot of fuss, he was given a 2.1 instead:eek:

tr3mor

moneysaving_pharmacist wrote: »

State grammar schools are still around in Kent and I was fortunate enough to go to a good one. I had opportunities that would not be availble at a comp - we studied latin, two foreign languages, there is an indoor swimming pool and large playing fields. Grammar schools are excellent for the top 25% of students. The quality of the secondary moderns is variable, but my g/f is now teaching at a good one.

We studied Latin and had a dry ski slope at our comprehensive!

:money:

ultra10

one wonders what the were expecting ??

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0cece662-4c06-11dd-96bb-000077b07658.html

Here are a few key quotes..
"“There are no sectors in the UK economy which are showing any signs of growth,” aka Recession..

“the news is likely to get a whole lot worse.” aka Recession ... face it folks were are entering a recession & all the spin / positive talk aint gonna change that !!!

jamescredmond

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

I think you will find that is what Admen do.

Never mind the evidence, just stick to the dogma. Typical right-winger.

Right-wingers wanted deregulation, and wanted Capital to control our lives. Well, they succeeded, and we are reaping the "reward" with the Credit Crunch. Enjoy!

absolutely.

it's not some perverse socialist doctrine twisting young minds.

dumb-downed media now own their souls.

money and fame are now the motivators, with a lot of kids chasing an impossible dream and winding up embittered by the time they reach their 20's. they failed in the bling stakes, so decided to grab a piece of the action by borrowing.

how does any teacher compete against the 'wannit all, wannit now' sub-culture? even one teaching at a grammar?

4 of my friends teach. when we hit the pub on a Fri night and the ale floweth, so does the truth: not one of them feels they made the right career choice. they're weary of being kicked from pillar to post by parents in denial over their kids behaviour, ever-moving goalposts and OFSTED.

I considered teaching as a career move 20 yrs ago.

thank Christ I didn't act on it.

fc123

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

My father was from a wokring class background, and he is now one of the leading academics in his field, having been to a Comprehensive school.

I went to a Comprehensive, went to a state sixth form college, before going to Oxford.

In the London media bubble, Comps are associated with tough, Inner City locations, normally London. In reality is that they are not all Grange Hill. The problem, as usual, is economic deprivation entrenched by 30 years of Thatcherism.

Depends where you end up living. All the best soscialists went to Oxford...and via the hard route.
In the area we could afford to live, my kids would've stood no chance whatsover in the state schools available to them.

Sir_Humphrey

fc123 wrote: »

Depends where you end up living. All the best soscialists went to Oxford...and via the hard route.
In the area we could afford to live, my kids would've stood no chance whatsover in the state schools available to them.

I was quite lucky in that where I grew up (Huddersfield) has one of the best state sixth form colleges in the country.

Personally, I favour a Comprehensive system up to 16 (with setting where appropriate). At 16, the options should vary from vocational to academic options to suit the circumstances of a student. My 2p worth. the important thing is to make sure that pupils have access to the same learning resources in an institution, and no to write off some pupils as failures at 11.

I find it amazing that some right-wingers criticise the current testing regime, then advocate the 11-plus. What a completely unacceptable pressure to put on a child.

neverdespairgirl

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

I find it amazing that some right-wingers criticise the current testing regime, then advocate the 11-plus. What a completely unacceptable pressure to put on a child.

I found the 11+ I did (first for day school, then common entrance) no pressure at all. It was something we all just did.