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Blackpool_Saver

lostinrates wrote: »

since my ''difficulties'' I have felt rather different about spelling, though believe it or not I do try most of the time. I have fallen bck on the old ''Will Shakespeare spelt his name in ten different ways''. But grammar can and DOES change meaning, significantly.

But its not just spelling or grammar, its more intrincic personal qualities, like kindness, repsonsibilty for self and those around you. e.g. the dog on the programme: the mother won't move to somewhere dogs aren't allowed but the kids won't pick up the dog poo. They WANT a dog. They do NOT WANT the responsibility.

I agree, it's anything for an easy life, no self discipline, no desire to push oneself to do any better.

ruggedtoast

Also in the exam board I had to spend a joyous week going through Key Skills papers. I was just noting down numbers but had a look at the papers themselves. There was such a massive disparate gulf between the kids in schools from well to do areas and private schools, and those in down at heel State.

It was quite surreal looking at one schools key skills papers for 7 year olds called Rupert, Olly and Tabitha, and theyre all writing eloquently with informed knowledge, and then the identical set of papers with identically aged kids but called 'Kylie, Shaznay etc" and they can barely spell their own names.

Some of the game little !!!!!!s had a good go at answering the questions but had clearly never even been taught the syllabus. What hope do they have?

misskool

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Some of the game little !!!!!!s had a good go at answering the questions but had clearly never even been taught the syllabus. What hope do they have?

Not a lot. I volunteer at an East London primary school running science workshops and even if they are bright, they try not to show it because peer pressure deems that they should not be swots. It's difficult for them to see anything other than what the older boys have done. We go there to show them how to aim higher, we bring them to a university campus and try to introduce them to a better life but it's all lost when they go to secondary school and their parents don't care what they do with their lives.

lostinrates

misskool wrote: »

Not a lot. I volunteer at an East London primary school running science workshops and even if they are bright, they try not to show it because peer pressure deems that they should not be swots. It's difficult for them to see anything other than what the older boys have done. We go there to show them how to aim higher, we bring them to a university campus and try to introduce them to a better life but it's all lost when they go to secondary school and their parents don't care what they do with their lives.

I hate this aspect of British culture: its not really cool to try...:( Its heinous because people then blame anything but themselves...public schools, not knowing the right people, no oppertunities....

..any or some of tjose things might mke difference in some cases, in case of the ''top'' but no one needed a public school ed, or to know someone, to get a good job as a nurse, or a police officer, or a teacher, or ...any ''normal'' job.

Blackpool_Saver

misskool wrote: »

even if they are bright, they try not to show it because peer pressure deems that they should not be swots.

I went to a private school until I was almost 12 years old, family circumstances then dictated that I go to the local 'comp' what a culture shock that was,
from the very first day when I used the word actually my life was made a misery, when I put my hand up to answer a question I was kicked in the back by some child sitting behind me.

PasturesNew

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

...when I put my hand up to answer a question I was kicked in the back by some child sitting behind me.

pfft swot!!

olly300

misskool wrote: »

Not a lot. I volunteer at an East London primary school running science workshops and even if they are bright, they try not to show it because peer pressure deems that they should not be swots. It's difficult for them to see anything other than what the older boys have done. We go there to show them how to aim higher, we bring them to a university campus and try to introduce them to a better life but it's all lost when they go to secondary school and their parents don't care what they do with their lives.

It's not all completely lost.

I know 2 men who help out with teenage boys in this situation - one a probation office and the other an ex-teacher. Unfortunately they seem to get the boys when they are about 16 and the boys themselves realise they have to do something with their lives.

lavidaloca

I just found this which makes interesting reading if it is true. Scroll down to Mum123 post. Anyone live in Withernsea?

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1147093&page=5

lostinrates

lavidaloca wrote: »

I just found this which makes interesting reading if it is true. Scroll down to Mum123 post. Anyone live in Withernsea?

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1147093&page=5

Goodness. But of course, its just the internet: mum123 could have a gripe with them and be untruthful herself...or just be a crank, or could be right.

lavidaloca

lostinrates wrote: »

Goodness. But of course, its just the internet: mum123 could have a gripe with them and be untruthful herself...or just be a crank, or could be right.

Yes I know that's why I asked if anyone lived in Withernsea!