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Three hours ** CONTAINS SPOILERS **

79 replies

StealthPolarBear · 12/11/2020 14:54

Did we ever find out the identity of the third shooter?
How brilliant a twist was it that the police officer wasn't fine after all? I didn't see that coming at all.

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Myfanwyprice · 15/11/2020 21:03

I wondered if the name PC Beard was a clue (that I missed!) as a beard can be someone who does something to conceal someone else’s identity.

bettbattenburg · 15/11/2020 21:06

@Myfanwyprice

I wondered if the name PC Beard was a clue (that I missed!) as a beard can be someone who does something to conceal someone else’s identity.
Oh good thought! Yes, could well have been.
Someonesayroadtrip · 15/11/2020 22:35

I think after reading both threads I'm the only one that didn't love it.. I can be my own worse enemy with books though, it just didn't seem believable, but that doesn't mean it isn't.

Just our school has no special measures policies, certainly no training, perhaps larger schools or comprehensives do. I couldn't understand why they didn't just ask governors questions, they mentioned them so it was a school with governors but Staff and pupil dismissal falls under governor remit so they could have gotten those answers quickly and surely sharing information they did with pupils and staff wasn't normal, I mean it did touch on that but it just seemed a bit unbelievable. Like the policy was to get children on life boats! That risk assessments for that would be bonkers. Children with thousands in their account buying assault rifles. Then they didn't just go on a killing spree when they knew they were out of time. Snow in south west England and everything carried on as usual? Generally we see a snow flake and panic, all shops sell out of milk and bread and schools close. But here it was was snowing heavily.

But yeah, I think I just got distracted by those types of things,which may well be in place and normal for some areas and people. Who knows. I'm clearly projecting my experience onto other areas and experiences. I do get distracted by things that shouldn't, the amount of times I shout at the TV "that's not a shockable rhythm" lol when seeing resuscitation.

I didn't see the twist, I felt sorry for the police man. I kind of expected there to be much more death. I did really appreciate the references to Shakespeare and the life story of Rafi, it was really touching and really amazing writing. I just didn't love it, I actually thought it was a really interesting concept and idea, school shoots in the UK today, I'm really interested to know if some schools, outside of London, have policies and training in place for these type of events.

StealthPolarBear · 16/11/2020 01:44

Thwy probably did. If you think the whole thing was three hours from start to finish, things were happening very quickly, though it didn't always seem that way.
Agree though that some things were unbelievable (but not to the point that it bothered me). Other than the obvious exceptions alll the young people were kind, caring and generous of each other and the staff. Not how I remember myself and peers at 16/17!

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StealthPolarBear · 16/11/2020 01:45

Lol at snow, good point!

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Saucery · 16/11/2020 07:27

I know what you mean about the school. I started off with a picture of a standard state school in my head then had to adjust it to a Summerhill/forest school sort of place when they mentioned pottery rooms, woods, beach......Grin
I liked the little flashes of ‘normal’ children - the girl painting tree camo like a YouTube make up tutorial, Zak falling out with Jamie then feeling bad about it, the girl Jamie had a crush on being not as much of a Princess as people thought.
I think they would be a bit different to pupils at a standard school because the ethos was very nurturing. It was private, not state too. Not that state schools can’t be nurturing (they definitely can with the right leadership) but it was free to develop staff/pupil relationships in perhaps different ways. As it was a metaphor for an idealized Modern Britain I allowed the author some artistic licence with the range of activities and viewpoints anyway Grin
Plus, it had to be that sort of school to demonstrate how insidious white supremacy is in getting in the minds of young people. Jamie and Victor had every privilege available, not to mention understanding and allowances for their behaviour, supportive peers etc. Yet the relentless drip, drip of hate from mainstream media, let alone being targeted by the more overt terrorists online still managed to get through.

Someonesayroadtrip · 16/11/2020 09:36

So true. Good point about it being private, I guess that would change a lot of aspects about how it was run. I just kept thinking about staff dismissal and thinking the staff wouldn't likely know or hopefully not have the details but the governors on the disciplinary panel would. But then if it's private those sort of things may be different anyway.

Now need another book 😂

Saucery · 16/11/2020 10:20

We do have policies for such events btw. Where to sit (away from windows), how to hide, how to communicate with each other and the outside world during an incident. It's pretty chilling to read and run through the Lockdown Procedure (confusingly named now!) and tell primary age pupils it's because of a vicious dog in the playground hypothetical scenario. But we do it, so if it should happen we can get to our designated areas.

StealthPolarBear · 16/11/2020 10:34

Goodness :( I suppose I'd be annoyed if schools didn't have such plans but I'm upset it's needed.

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StealthPolarBear · 16/11/2020 15:21

Bump to see if we have any more people who have read it recently

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Someonesayroadtrip · 16/11/2020 15:38

Hmmm, it's maybe something I should raise that our school need then. It's a small primary (280 children) but a massive site. I have H&S governor responsibilities so maybe something to look into. We are right literally next to a comp so they would be the bigger target, I suppose it's worth looking into just incase. Who would of thought 2020 would turn out the way it has?

Fiftyandmore · 16/11/2020 18:08

The school my 16yr old goes to has a lockdown procedure - I just asked him. It doesn't sound very comprehensive though - they have to hide under their desks and keep silent and still, while the teachers close blinds and lock doors.

Interestingly, my other 3 dc who are older, went to the same school but there were no such procedures when they were there. It sounds like a similar layout to your school @Someonesayroadtrip - big senior school joined to an infants and junior school with playing fields in between.

bettbattenburg · 16/11/2020 18:55

@StealthPolarBear

Goodness :( I suppose I'd be annoyed if schools didn't have such plans but I'm upset it's needed.
We have them too, after all we might have an escaped tiger on the playground. Our classroom door opens outwards so we wouldn't be able to barricade it shut.
StealthPolarBear · 16/11/2020 20:08

Lol at tiger in the playground, a common occurance round these parts

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bettbattenburg · 16/11/2020 21:15

I tell the children they don't need to worry, he's just looking to see if he can come to tea Grin

StealthPolarBear · 16/11/2020 21:51

You may joke but I used to have regular nightmares about tigers who lived in my parents' garage and used to chase me which I eventually tracked back to that book!
Which I loved and still do tbh

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bettbattenburg · 17/11/2020 19:00

@StealthPolarBear

You may joke but I used to have regular nightmares about tigers who lived in my parents' garage and used to chase me which I eventually tracked back to that book! Which I loved and still do tbh
My parents saw fit to put a David shepherd tiger print at the bottom of the stairs, it's eyes followed you everywhere. I hated going to bed for years as it watched me.
StealthPolarBear · 17/11/2020 20:50

:o

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TheSilentStars · 17/11/2020 20:53

I read this in June in one day, I thought it was brilliant, such a page turner.
It reminded me a bit of the similarly titled Jodie Picoult book from about ten years ago but this was better as it was less formulaic.
We have training in lockdown procedures at my school. I think it's mandatory now.

Matilda2013 · 17/11/2020 21:45

Absolutely loved this book. Didn't see the twist of the children becoming trees.. Thought we had just killed them all. And I thought Mr Neilbright was going to have something to do with the 3rd terrorist when he stayed behind. Clearly behind.
Loved the brothers bond.

StealthPolarBear · 17/11/2020 22:03

I need something else, the books I've read since haven't come close

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Matilda2013 · 17/11/2020 22:07

Have you read My Dark Vanessa? One of my favourites this year along with Troubled Blood and The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo.
Oh actually! Try To The Lions by Holly Watt?

StealthPolarBear · 17/11/2020 22:08

Thank you, looking now. First one looks good

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bettbattenburg · 17/11/2020 22:10

@StealthPolarBear

Thank you, looking now. First one looks good
I've struggled to find something else so have gone for non fiction with A honeybee heart has five openings which is beautifully written and interesting.
Saucery · 18/11/2020 06:26

I can recommend When The Lights Go Out, by Carys Bray and Summerwater, by Sarah Moss.

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