i'm back - he-he!

what's red and stands in the corner?


a naughty strawberry

doesn't EXCLUDE anyone from having a view ('slow down and check your work...')

to comfort those of you who are planning on having children and sending them to state schools, some teacher vacancies are attracting up to 100 applicants - heads choose the very best. supply teachers are also increasingly good. many are used repeatedly and get to know the school and children better than in the past.

you're spot on about socialisation, juno

thanks for that - and not having children obviously doesn't include anyone from having a view.

the reality of teaching under Blair's Gov in recent years is that teachers are leaving in droves due to increased pressure - many who weren't up to the new job description have left. performance management, professional development targets etc. have made teachers (rightly) more accountable - this has always been the case in industry. this is balanced by excellent training and new working conditions (such as 'non-contact' time to properly plan work, prepare lessons and assess pupils). schools are really well resourced with materials and staff (including highly trained classroom assistants).

1. i generally agree with otto. not wanting to put words into his mouth, i think he was suggesting that without a range of interactional opportunities, it can limit young people's ability to understand others (as demonstrated by PN quoting her child at ballet classes) and creates further divisions in society
2. as a mother AND a qualified teacher (8 years experience in state schools), i supplement my children's education and try to influence their moral education and values at home BUT wouldn't want them not to experience school
3. it's interesting to know what others think - it can make us reassess. no need to assume we are being judgemental. as someone said, we try (most of us) to do what we think is right and act to the best of our abilities.

largely, i've been talking to either piglet or myself on this thread, so i thought i'd invite you all (again) to comment on something that's been making me think...

i've been too busy to check in much recently (i know - get the violins out...) so when i found a thread where pinkneuron mentioned homeshooling, otto picked up on it and made a general opinion known and then everyone seemed to freak out a bit, i was gutted i'd missed all the action! (if you haven't read it, you might want to)

an inverted cross,404? that's a bit scary...

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i noticed

i hadn't been following this thread (for obvious reasons) but clicked on just now - another otto classic! you're hilarious!

yes, it's evident. aren't we all a bit bored with work when we come on here? it's a tonic (or a gin and tonic, if you prefer)

OK - but didn't you just do 1163? (your first life was a short one if you were back again so soon!)

btw, i'm pretty sure i haven't been a person before; i spend far too much time utterly confused and perplexed...

?

me. making up for lost time. sad.