“Looks like p might be working towards level 1 in both English & Maths. Maybe that's why Notts scores are around the national averages.
Some of us can't manage to stay up as late as p to respond as we've work to do.”

“well thats all that fixed then. :).”

“Bleddy 'ell, is yo lot still goowin at it, like? Ah've bont through orl me twenties n started on the tenners nah. Ah'll be dahn ter the fivers be midweek. Ent yo lot got lives ter gutter? It's not like yer solvin owt comparin' member sizes on 'ere like. Tell yer what, if yo lot purras much effert inter gerrin yersens aht there an' lerrin these polyticians know whats oop as yer do siitin arahnd typin' and goowin arahnd in circles, yo'd be bleddy dangerous yer would. Gerraht on there and bleddy do summat wi' yersens. Yer boggers.”

“Mr Sensible,
We don't really differ. That is what I meant by core subjects still needing to be taught. English, Maths, Science are always important. But my point was really around making a child take subjects like Sociology, Drama, Art, French, if that child has no interest in them or if they are having difficulty with them. They are not really necessary subjects unless you are looking at a career in one of those fields. As a child I hated Drama. I couldn't see the point of it and dreaded having to do it. I still loved other subjects though, and did quite well in them so I continued to go to school. But I can see how easy it would have been, if I was struggling and not enjoying any lesson, to just give up going. Drama hasn't had any impact on my life, nor have I needed it. I would have preferred to learn how to wire a plug, plaster a wall, plumb a sink in or something useful that I did need later on, then to be made to take Drama. For the children that are really struggling this could offer them a trade for the future and just keep them interested enough to keep attending school. Of course, they could take courses like this at college. But often, after the experience of being told they are not good enough by the education system, they are disillusioned with it all and feel it will be a waste of time because they won't achieve anything anyway.

As for the behaviour, I know it is two way. A lot of the reason children play in up class is because the teacher does not give them respect, which in turn makes the child retaliate. This is one of things I meant about poor teaching. I certainly do not think that the cane should be brought back. Discipline obviously needs to be improved, but I do not have an answer as to how. The problems with continually badly behaved children usually stem from their home environment. That is a much bigger problem to try and tackle.

P, yes I agree with you on the point that I do not want my taxes to go to someone who has no desire to work or contribute to society.
£200 per month at a guess would put you in Band E or F I think. It is impossible to say without knowing your location, as obviously part of your council tax goes to your district council. I am not suggesting that you tell me where you live by the way!
As for the Tories allocating the money where it is needed. That is one thing we just won't agree on!”

“I can't tell you what band I am in as I honestly don't know, I think it is £200 a month?
L - are you agreeing with me now? I don't really disagree with anything in your last 2 posts.

I do think the money collected in council tax will find its way to those who need it most.
I believe the Tories will be more efficient in allocating it to those who need it”

“Interesting comments you make on education there, L.

Here is where we differ slightly.

Because, whilst learning of other subjects is important, the fact is you have to know your stuff in English, Maths and Science before you can do anything else.

And interesting you talk about children and parents behaving themselves, but it must be a 2-way relationship. People's ideas about bringing back caning, the belt ETC are in my view based on the mistaken theory that teachers get it right all the time. They don't.

And how do you think those children would view things if they got beaten up without reason?

By all means there needs to be more discipline, but it must be a 2-way relationship, and caning doesn't work.

And those numbers someone else quoted are interesting, showing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to be higher than the national average.

I notice when the story broke how Kay Cutts tried to claim the credit, even though those exams were actually taken under the last administration.

Don't be duped in to thinking standards will improve under the Tories!”

“"For arguments sake I will say he is on Band C council tax."

I find that interesting, L.

Because if P is on band C Council Tax, and I know that you are only saying that for argument's sake, then according to King Biffo's projection of Friday P only stands to save £2 on the next tax bill!

And yet P supports it!

Something tells me, L, that P is on something higher than band C; band E would be my hunch.”

“P, there are always going to be "bad things". The things that are bad will depend on which party is in power. The Conservatives cannot, and will not, sort out all the bad things in life. It is simply not possible. And judging by their proposals, they aren't even going to properly prioritise the bad things that need sorting out.”

“"So you don't mind working for a day and a half for some layabout to sit watching TV at your expense?"
P, Yes, I do mind. If people cannot work for valid reasons, then they should receive benefits. But there are people who just don't want to work and like an easy life. I begrudge these people benefits, because yes, it is some of my hard earned money keeping them. There should be tighter restrictions in place for the people who clearly have no intention of working but are able to. Strangely though, it seems to be the Disability Benefits that look like they are going to be axed.

And regarding your question on the Education system and it's failings. The following is based on my opinion only and on some of my experiences of my children's secondary school in Notts :
1. Poor teaching standards. Teachers who have lost their passion for teaching and are fed up doing a difficult job.

2. Poor behaviour of the children and in some cases, of their parents.

3. Uninspiring lessons. Children need interesting topics that relate to them. Or that can be presented in a way that isn't boring to them.

4. Subjects. Whilst the core subjects obviously need to be taught, there are other subjects that should be chosen by pupils themselves. Even when it comes to options, the choice is limited as some classes are oversubscribed and they are often in sets. The student then has to choose a particular subject from that set, even if they have no interest in it.

5. Subjects again. Why are there very little practical lessons? From conversations and things that I have read, there used to be so many more practical lessons available. Some children just aren't going to be academic, despite all the will in the world. But instead of alienating these children, why can they not learn a trade so at least they have some sort of future to work to instead of being told they are not good enough.

Just some thoughts...”

“It does not have to be like this though.
We do not have to just "put up" with bad things.”