Please -
When are we going to grow up, learn from the past, and acknowledge that -
1 There is a big difference between - Being 'Clever’ and, having ‘Intelligence' and/or 'Wisdom’. It does not matter where you went to school, or what background you came from! The cruicial element is personai attitude, and integrity, together with the humility to listen and interact with others - choose whatever level or standing they represent.
2 That School is about Education and Learning, where examinations are a genuine measure of that 'learning' – not an end in themselves. All children, and Adults, should be given the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability.
3 That ‘all children are different’. Their characteristics might well be of ‘wanting to achieve’, or conversly ‘couldn’t care less’. All ‘individuals develop at different rates’ – we never stop learning - everyone needs, and deserves, the opportunity to excel!
4 When is the Shouting, Rhetoric, and Politics going to stop and give way to careful and considered development of the philosophy and structured development of Education – the all so vital part of our future.
Please stop looking at the problem, but concentrate on the cause - or origin! Solicitors can charge up to £250 per hour! -- Is not a teachers' role just as important to the Country's future!! We have been responsible for educating you, and your colleagues!
Having spent thirty nine years working with children at all levels, and in all situations - inspecting schools - developing courses, and procedures - organizing conferences to commumnicate important messages based upon sound philosophy - working with adults - I am increasingly frustrated by the lack of respect for my, and my contemporaries' experience. We were the world leaders in Education - they came to us from all around the world - but why is this not entirely the case now? We could well still be at that position now, but for the interference of politics and social snobbery!! Everyone is an expert on Education except those who do the job. What if this was the case in the medical profession?
Having now retired, I miss my contact with the Pupils, but I hope that I have made a positive influence in my time as a teacher! However I am driven to beg that your considerations and thoughts are not motivated by your own experience, background and political ends. We have a very serious problem to solve which can only be resolved by real understanding - a humility to listen to experience - and a courageous stance for what is right, and felt by the collective heart!
