Thread 36 Starmer - Triggered by ads and Da iawn, Caerffili.

[DuncinToffee]

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5427394-thread-35-starmer-old-and-smelling-of-roses?page=40&reply=148165782

Much of it sounds good but Phillipson is as bad at disregarding issues around teacher retention and workload as any of her predecessors, to be honest.

The year 8 tests are probably unnecessary.

Much of what the committee wanted and got is causing frothing form Tories but it mainly centres around the EBacc which loads of schools ignored anyway. .

I got called a commie when I objected to some pretty dire working conditions and appalling mismanagement once. I was lucky I was on a short fixed term contract and could walk away so I was the one that spoke up. Happy to be considered a comrade.

I see Yr 8 tests as necessary because it's a what do we do with these years. It can help pupil and parents/guardians to focus.

No one wants triple yr9 lessons.

I’m very tempted to change my user name to my husband’s term of endearment. In answer to your question @PandoraSocks, I call him a range of things depending on how I feel at the time. The acceptable face of fascism didn’t go down too well on a day when he really pissed me off, it’s very much a one way street because it amuses me.

FFS Our small village has had a load of flags hung along the bypass (at half mast) They are Welsh flags but I'm worried this is going to lead to our (wonderful) flag being as tainted as the English flag

The small no. here along the coastal road were removed after the recent storms - or maybe should say what was left of them

It does make me a bit ragey!

If they are completely expunged they shouldn’t I don’t think. Sadly, however, children exploited in this way are more likely than average to have other offences around eg drugs I would imagine. Equally not their fault but not covered under this.

My view about what we do with Y8 is continue developing the skills they need for GCSE and life with a broad curriculum allowing time to delve into areas in which they or their teachers are interested, not a prescriptive test based curriculum.

Same, especially when I see how much of the current right presents on Mumsnet. Happy to be the polar opposite of that. When even centre right normal people on here are being described as far left, I will take any badge that says I am Comrade Me.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy7emznr0nro

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the man's case had been expedited after he was detected by biometrics and detained. She added: "Anyone looking to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement is wasting their time and money.

No, Shabana. They are wasting my time and money. If you can't understand that then it's hard to see how Reform can fail.

We always had end of year tests and it was a preparation for national tests, which is too narrow now and should be less time, especially with GCSE students. End of year tests now are just not helpful.

Better to be prepared than suddenly not. Teachers are professional and knowledgeable.

We already teach children about misinformation (primary) so it will be good to have that expectation across all schools. An assembly or a 'Day' isn't enough - it needs to be part of a regular PSHE curriculum for all years. Age appropriate, obviously. I don't think the existing schemes of work cover AI very extensively if at all, so that requires attention

Not seen them yet. There were some on the bridge the other day, now replaced by giant plastic poppies.

It's interesting because where I live this is the last year of middle school and it can tend to be seen as a holding pen until the big school. They come to us pretty underprepared academically AND socially. But I can't see how tests are the answer as then it becomes another year 6 of drill drill drill.

Bridget clearly can't recall that we once had year 9 SATs which were scrapped after a few years because they narrowed learning and were an unreliable measure.

I agree national testing isn't the answer. Teachers will know full well which pupils struggle with reading at the required level. What schools need is funding for targeted interventions, starting as soon as an issue is identified.

That’s one reason I don’t like middle schools. Splitting a Key Stage isn’t helpful.

They are wasting their own time and money too - and that’s what would motivate not trying again, surely?
Though it’s part of a rhetoric around immigration I don’t like.

John Cleese writes ...

Meanwhile, the Home Office continues their "What the fuck am I paying all this money in taxes for ????" campaign

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5ylvz217ept

As context to freeing of an Algerian man, here's some info about HMP Wandsworth, where he was:

• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave each year. *

Latter stats are for wider prison service, so likely to be worse in a v challenging prison like Wandsworth.

Basically, the entire prison service is a mess, and has been for years.

https://bsky.app/profile/peterwalker99.bsky.social/post/3m4va2k7nic26

You are free to PM me Pandora.