Have I lost it entirely? Am I the lone voice here? It was my understanding that schools up and down the UK are struggling to make ends meet. That they are in essence broke. Kaput. On their arses. Yet I've just read an article that has stated that the Welsh government have made a promise … Continue reading Welsh rareglot.
Nursing and tennis – it’s a whole new ball game.
Two things of note have happened in the news this week, widespread picketing surrounding pay and conditions for the public sector and the always in touch with the man on the Clapham omnibus Wimbledon starting. With Thursday being D-Day for public sector pay freezes, or P-Day if you prefer, my former claims about nursing and … Continue reading Nursing and tennis – it’s a whole new ball game.
Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Milkround? (Graduate schemes, it’s obviously about graduate schemes.)
So, July is upon us, exam season is over for one cohort but the real challenges are still yet to come. For many now is the time of year when you'll be starting to consider your longer term career options, post university. Now, apologies I couldn't get to you when you were 15 and still … Continue reading Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Milkround? (Graduate schemes, it’s obviously about graduate schemes.)
You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need. (How my Grandfather got to Oxford).
It would be easy to take the view that I'm against universities given some of my output in the last few weeks. So in the interests of balance here's my counterpoint - yes, I do think that schools are pandering to an outmoded way of thinking that is designed to appease parents, patronise the less … Continue reading You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need. (How my Grandfather got to Oxford).
Turn up, tune in, drop out.
I've been gobbing off about this for a while now but new figures show even more clearly that the schools' push to get all students, regardless of their aptitude or suitability, into university is demonstrably failing. Not in the goal, they are indeed packing them in there, but keeping them there is something quite, quite … Continue reading Turn up, tune in, drop out.
What now? Really? *Shakes head* (GCSE shake up leaves everyone sweary and annoyed. And confused.)
When is a pass not a pass? When a lump headed dilettante starts dicking around with stuff they don't understand. As if life today weren't tough enough, as if there wasn't already too much uncertainty, stress and anxiety facing every student, or, indeed pretty much every person in the UK, we've only gone and piled … Continue reading What now? Really? *Shakes head* (GCSE shake up leaves everyone sweary and annoyed. And confused.)
Choose wisely for today’s choices affect tomorrow.
Another month and another set of stats to look at, it seems that every week around this time of year someone else is throwing their hats in to the ring demanding that their university league table should be regarded as the definitive version. Lo, today is no different as The Guardian publishes their version of … Continue reading Choose wisely for today’s choices affect tomorrow.
Talent pool not gene pool?
The flickering flames of the candelabra briefly illuminate the antique silverware on the crisp, white linen sheets laid over the magnificent oak table. The rich, scent of cherrywood tobacco hangs in a delicate plume over the stately room. Beneath that fug, young captains of industry salute one another's wealth as they carve up the world … Continue reading Talent pool not gene pool?
Admin, thinly veiled swipes at certain schools and jubilation.
Not a typical blog post in so much as it's more an admin based update on what we're up to rather than anything that will mean anything to anyone else. But - excited to once again be going into one of favourite schools to work with, Christleton High School, near Chester. When my business partner … Continue reading Admin, thinly veiled swipes at certain schools and jubilation.
8 of the best – top tips for what not to say in your personal statement.
It's too hot to think, much less create fascinating content on a daily basis. So instead I'm going to take the lazy route and do a list. Yeah, lists are good right? Easy, digestible, bite size morsels of fact based goodness without all the filling excesses of a paragraph. It is that time of year … Continue reading 8 of the best – top tips for what not to say in your personal statement.