The Write Offs

[Cherry678]

Lovely series, Sandy is amazing as always!I think I'm hooked already and wish them all the best I think it's going to be very emotional!

But I have to say I'm shocked at how someone who can't read (through no fault of their own, they've been let down by past teachers and the school system of their generation) can drive?!

Surely it's essential due to health and safety of all on the roads that they can read road signage? It's awesome they can do this but it's sort of worried me to, as inevitably this could prove hazardous if they misinterpret a sign like a diversion, stop sign, motorway information signs etc?

It’s a good programme but I would have liked to have seen more of the teaching methods rather than just the tests.

I was surprised about the driving but I guess it’s like driving abroad.

@TickledOnion yes very true point about driving abroad.

That was amazing. Tommy reading his letter had me in tears.

I love it! Ironically in reading the credits, I've just realised I've spelled Sandi's name wrong in my earlier post!

Lovely! I would have liked to see what the tutor was actually doing with them though.

It must be so hard going through the school system without being able to read

I thought they handled the subject well. I felt it avoided being patronising and is such a much needed wake up call about the educational needs of some being unmet so badly.

I would also have liked it to be a longer series, so we could see more of the teaching sessions.
The letter reading was amazing though. How lovely!

I agree about seeing more of the teaching methods, but I guess they're going for popular appeal and specific teaching methods is a bit more niche.

Had me in tears.

Fantastic programme. I had no idea how many people suffered with literacy problems, and how limited and constrained their lives are as a result. I also wish more airtime had been given to the actual teaching methods.

I enjoyed it and found it interesting. It's sad to think that so many people can't read or write very well.

I was amazed that someone who can't read or write can drive. The young guy that drives was actually the worst in the group skill wise.

I do get that people say it's like driving abroad but seeing him driving round in circles it didn't really seem a good idea

@lynsey91 I do think there should be some minimum level of literacy for driving to. It's made me a bit worried!

I don't know about the driving thing. Almost all signs are picture based, arrows and symbols.

Obviously place signs aren't but if he's using his sat nav then that's not much of a barrier. I'm sure he could follow a diversion as the diversion signs are pretty distinctive.

Craig said he'd passed the driving theory test by having the questions read out to him (I didn't know that was possible). That's pretty impressive, some of those questions are long and there are 4 multiple-choice answers to remember.

I was gobsmacked by him being aged 31 (so born approx 1988, must have been in school say 1992-2008), but with a reading age of 4. What on earth was going on during all those years of education?

I thought the oldest man was interesting too - Tommy? Written off as "thick" at school, but by the end of the programme was successfully writing and reading back his letter to his colleagues. Clearly he only needed a bit of one-to-one teaching to learn how to break down the words. What a shame that had never happened before.

@allLimer I didn't know you could have the test questions read to you either. I am not sure I think that should be allowed.

I get that signs are picture based but signs warning about diversions, roads closed etc are not. What about motorway signs that warn of things? I really don't think it is a good idea to drive if you can't read

I agree with you @lynsey91 I wonder how he managed the eyesight bit of the driving test, where you have to read a number plate to prove you can see well enough? He couldn't read letters.

@Limer yes, good point which I had not thought of.

Whilst I get your point re reading signs, they have to make reasonable adjustments otherwise discriminatory to say can’t drive (though know ultimate conclusion from this is to let blind person drive!). Anyone can apply to have computer reading out questions for the test. Instead of numberplate sight test you can take letter from optician saying your sight is good enough. Imagine how even more limited your life would be if as well as not being able to read you couldn’t drive.

Like a PP, I just thought how sad it was that Tommy hadn’t had that bit of extra help 50 years earlier and how it would have opened up a whole new world to him. And given eg the 22 and 24 year olds, it’s clearly not just a problem with schooling in the distant past. Clearly there are still children who are perfectly intelligent just being written off as failures. I expect it’s mainly to do with insufficient staffing to give enough one to one attention.

Caught up on this last night. Wonderful programme, I love Sandi Toksvig, and the whole thing was handled so sensitively.

Loved Tommy reading his letter, and cried buckets for him. It's wonderful that he has managed to learn, and just goes to show that it's never too late, but I do agree how sad it is that he wasn't better supported with this earlier.

I'm really rooting for all of them, but especially Craig. He just looks like he has so little belief in his ability to do it. I want him to be able to go home and read a story to his little girl.

The statistics were quite shocking, there are so many adults who struggle with this. Our education system has really let them down.

I found myself wondering if I could volunteer to help people in this situation. Does anyone know of organisations that do this?

Wish this programme was a 4 or 6 parter not just 2. Would have liked to have seen more of the learning.

@BedknobsNoBroomsticks yes! I said this to DH last night. The journey would be the best part!

[quote Cherry678]@BedknobsNoBroomsticks yes! I said this to DH last night. The journey would be the best part![/quote]
It may also help others who are struggling with reading and writing but can't get help for whatever reason ie no resources in their area, too embarrassed.

It's strange how they didn't show how they taught them I think. I can't understand why. Everyone here wanted to see

I just can't understand how they got through school and get through life not being able to read

I loved it when Craig read out The Hungry Caterpillar for his daughter! Cried a lot.

Was shocked at the poor bloke who had a stroke. He had taught drama. Was lovely when Martin Kemp came on and explained what happened to him. I remember he had a tumour (2 tumours) but had not realised how bad his recovery had been.

I agree we should have seen some of the teaching methods.

There was a programme about this some time ago and one woman had to 'feel' letters so was given letter shapes.