Why Snot is Green?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/16/science-lessons-inspiration I thought the ‘How Loud Can You Burp?’ should be ‘How loud Can You Fart?’ but I haven’t investigated the practical consequences of this change. Perhaps more importantly, I fear that science teachers would say that they would love to teach like this but the constraints of teaching to the test (either GCSE or SATS) combined with a fear of loosing control makes it impossible. I know some of you are fans of the HBO series, The Wire, did you know that series four explores the practical problem of schooling the ‘hoppers’, the street corner kids. It would seem that the centrality and difficulty of pupil engagement is common to the schooling systems of both the UK and the USA and yet in both places it is a problem that is marginalised by politicians and school managers.

Green Wash

The ever rising price of household gas and electricity was much discussed in the newspapers last week http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/22/gas-electricity-energy-bills-rise I worry about the apparently uncritical acceptance of the need for ‘green’ measures, which it is said makes expensive fuel inevitable. Same goes for water charges http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8112953.stm I think that unless immediate ways can be found to lighten the burden of these charges on poor households, then rather than condemning the poor to freeze we should let the planet fry.

Are You Happy?

No, then it’s your own fault for not living in Richmond. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jun/23/richmond-on-thames-happy-survey When I looked at the full survey http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/doc/1262536.doc I noticed that there was a question about volunteering, where people were asked if they had given unpaid help to any groups, clubs or organisations, at least once per month in the previous 12 months. Across England, 23% said they had, with no great variation between regions. Although this result is in line with other surveys, I have trouble believing it; I don't think I know anyone who volunteers for anything. Is it just the people I know?

Research Corner

The Sutton Trust report have investigated the difficulties that disadvantaged students can face when they attend private schools http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5382926/Working-class-children-alienated-in-private-schools-says-The-Sutton-Trust.html The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) have produced a very detailed report examining income distribution and poverty in the UK http://www.ifs.org.uk/comms/c109.pdf This is the most comprehensive analysis of poverty and inequality that I have seen this year. While a report carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation looked at attitudes to income distribution and benefits http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jun/22/benefits-income-poverty-fabian-rowntree

Voluntary Contribution

The hidden cost of schooling http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/16/school-voluntary-contributions I think the working poor are hit hardest by these demands as it usually assumed that they are able to afford these payments as they are not on benefits.

Summer Time Blues

Universities are Having Trouble Attracting Students to their Summer Schools http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/16/students-summer-schools?DCMP=EMC-E_EDU_EDI_CRI_16_06_09 Maybe the problem is seeing the summer school as a ‘standalone’ event. Maybe hard-to-reach students need a program of engagement where the summer school is one of a number of integrated events.

Yosser’s Coming

The numbers of NEETS is on the increase again, on the back of rising youth unemployment http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/16/teenagers-not-work-school-neets-rises much of this unemployment is hitting the areas hit in the 1980s http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/24/northern-cities-youth-unemployment

Mustn’t Grumble

There has been a major increase in the volume of anti-depressants being prescribed since the economic downturn http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jun/21/mental-health-antidepressants-recession-prescriptions Why do GPs prescribe anti-depressants? I’ve been told by a London GP that it’s because they don’t have anything else to offer. Access routes to other therapies are always fully choked-up. Even if you are in serious trouble it can take months to see a psychiatrist. Under these circumstances, some happy pills might be a lifeline.