I guess so
I'd probably prefer a final story closer with Bakula and Stockwell, though.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:01, 3 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

no!
that thing in the bar was way cool - properly vague and frustrating
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:02, Reply)

What are you doing here? You're meant to be down the park drinking cider.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:03, Reply)

Some big lads came and nicked his BMX
(Want a BMX? Endorsed by Norman Tebbit as a guaranteed path to employment)
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:05, Reply)

A hot BMX
*Raleigh Burner lolz*
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:06, Reply)

I had a big red Chopper....

( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:08, Reply)

Did the Dr give you some ointment?

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:09, Reply)

All my mates were welcome to ride on it
Johnny Warburton came off over the handlebars and ran home crying.

I gave it to my brother.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:12, Reply)

HURR HURR HURR

( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:13, Reply)

I had an Ultraburner.
Cool as fuck.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:15, Reply)

Then a Diamond Back

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:19, Reply)

I'll bet you looked forward to BMX Beat on Channel 4.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:27, Reply)

Class!

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:28, Reply)

They are all on YouTube.
Also - Did you know (and you might do, as I'm sure I'm mentioned it here before) that Andy Ruffle (the host/rider person on the show) launched the MoBo awards.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:32, Reply)

What Grades did you get?

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:08, Reply)

Maths- A
English Lan- A
English Lit- A
Biol- A*
Chem- A
Phys- A*
French-A
Business- A*
IT- A (x3)
R.E- B (Hmpph)
Citizen- A
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:09, Reply)

Good work there.
You got four more passes than me.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:11, Reply)

When I was a nipper
we did nine GCSEs. Now they seem to be doing 11. And spending less time in lessons. Either kids today are genii, or the exams aren't as indepth as they used to be.

/old lady moaning
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:14, Reply)

10 was the norm when I was a young'un, but I was only entered for seven.
lol anal sex etc.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:15, Reply)

I think the difference is these days, there are more kids on both ends of the spectrum.
Say, 40 years ago,the ratio of clever:average:thick was 15:70:15, whereas today its more like 30:40:30, and the top 30% are the quieter types, so the thicko band get noticed more by adults.
So the pass rate is rising, but there are also more thick kids. So there probably are more genii, we're just being obscured to a greater degree.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:19, Reply)

No, you're jsut being coached better to pass exams
Teaching is improving, but only in the sense that you're being taught better how to pass an exam.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:23, Reply)

I'd agree with this
there's less indepth knowledge of a subject and the exams are definitely easier.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:24, Reply)

Maybe the top 70% find it easier to pass but the bottom 30% hardly have any qualifications, and whats worse unlike their parents they have no profitable practical skills.
Apart from one C in of the more mocked subjects.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:26, Reply)

I don't know if they're easier
but you're better trained how to do it.

I don't think there is any way of measuring peoples common sense though, which is something that is far more important in a working environment.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:26, Reply)

On older maths and science papers, you'd get long questions which awarded 20-30 marks,
and the idea of these was to set a simple-looking but inherently complex problem, make the candidates figure out how to solve it themselves, and use the question to test the candidates' problem-solving skills. But because these questions often led to low marks, they are becoming increasingly rare.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:31, Reply)

I'm not so sure
our teachers did that joke thing of giving us past papers from quite a few years before and they were substantially harder than the ones we had.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:37, Reply)

Because the questions were often written in a different way
or covering slightly different things, that you hadn't been taught how to address.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:43, Reply)

Perhaps
the papers certainly seemed harder, and I was relatively smart.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:46, Reply)

I got straight A's through my GCSEs and A levels and a first, so I'm quite happy to say I'm good at doing exams
but as I said, when you look at older papers set under a slightly different curiculum they appear "hard" to me, because I hadn't learnt how to answer those questions. Had I been taught how to answer those questions I doubt I would have found them hard.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:50, Reply)

^this
Edit: it's a bit monkey see monkey do.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:25, Reply)

This was my problem at school, my ability to memorise things without understanding the logic behind them has always been bad.
My motivation and behaviour were even worse.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:32, Reply)

Merit is SUCH a 20th century value, darling.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:26, Reply)

This is true in the short term Al.
Then Bobby will qualify.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:26, Reply)

There are always outliers

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:27, Reply)

When I was a nipper
I did 'O' levels.

It's been a long time since I was a nipper.

EDIT - and I passed an 11 plus and got into grammar school.

This education helps me select a suitable zimmer frame.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:28, Reply)

OldManCloseToDeathLOLZ

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:30, Reply)

Closer
I'm 43 you know...
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:31, Reply)

Whereabouts?

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:31, Reply)

Barrow - in - Furness
Cumbria was the last county to move to the Comprehensive system, and I was the last year to do 11 plus.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:34, Reply)

I was lucky, Kent still have them.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:36, Reply)

There are three within five miles of me, but only one of them is free.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:38, Reply)

Keeps the riff raff out.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:39, Reply)

You've still got the old 11+ system?
With Grammars and Secondary Moderns and stuff?

Thought that went out with Callaghan.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:39, Reply)

Sit

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:40, Reply)

Oops, they still test for the top 5 percent.

Sorry new computer
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:42, Reply)

I say that to my dogs and they do
What does it entail? I've no kids myself, so I don't know.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:44, Reply)

Standard aptitude test.
Maths and English.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:47, Reply)

So those that pass
Then move to, shall we say, a preferential stream of education?

I'm not being disengenious here - this is something that I've no knowledge of.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:51, Reply)

Absolutely.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:52, Reply)

Depends where you live
my grammar school was full of foaming retards, but that's because the whole county was. Same amount of money allocated, but the general theory is that by ability streaming people are less likely to get frustrated at being held back for the slow.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:53, Reply)

Right - to both of you
As I say, I've no invested interest in the question.

I'd just assumed that since my schooling in the early '80's nothing had changed and it was simply a question of "you live here - you go to this school unless you can pay for something better."

Thanks
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:02, Reply)

There's four or five counties
that still do grammars. I went to a grammar school for a couple of years
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:42, Reply)

I pissed my eleven plus.
They gave me 45 minutes to do it, and I was finished in about 20.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:32, Reply)

Easiest exam ever
though it was scary at the time
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:38, Reply)

Tell the truth.
Did you make a call like this today....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEfKEzX9QLE
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:13, Reply)

Yes, I got one from my Auntie Sue.
Except It was the hilarious opposite in terms of my Academic performance, I do worst in the shit subject.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:15, Reply)

You didn't get an Ology?
I didn't click the link, but I'm guessing that's what it was....
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:16, Reply)

BiOlogy. (A*)

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:20, Reply)

That was a cultural reference dear.
A joke, if you will.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:32, Reply)

Way to hit your target audience there.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:40, Reply)

I think the way to improve education would be-
A disciplinarian attitude to very bad or frequent bad behavior.
An option to force ferile youths into the military for extremely bad behavior in or out of school.
Increased specialisation in vocations for those who do not excel academically.
Some sort of Academic selection (less rigorous then pre 75).
Allow the academically and culturally gifted to flourish.
Removal of RE and Citizen as compulsory subjects to allow for variety.
IMO, exams are not as easy as many think, they should maybe be a bit harder but not so hard that only 1% can get A*.
Just my opinion, feel free to rip it apart from a Guardianista perspective.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:37, Reply)

A good kicking is what you whippersnappers need. ;-)

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:38, Reply)

By "culturally gifted" do you mean "posh"?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:39, Reply)

He means stream young
so the children of the middle-class get the education they so deserve, and those who haven't yet developed get sidetracked into subjects befitting of what they are capable of- manual ones, or perhaps being maids.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:41, Reply)

Too right!

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:45, Reply)

It seems to be this sort of opinion that is causing this country to have a fucking disgracefully low aptitude at practicalities.
Think about it. A good plasterer or plumber or ENGINEER (vocation can also entail a high level or pay and worthiness) can become a Loadsamoney, and we wouldn't have half the need for Polish labourers, etc.
With probably a third of the population it is a waste of time to educate them in such academic subjects beyond 11, unless their literacy and numeracy are inadequate.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:55, Reply)

Where did you get that figure of a third from?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:58, Reply)

No rush, in your own time.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:12, Reply)

School isn't the place to find that out
sixteen is the earliest point to decide that, and this country should follow in Germany's wake and take a leaf out of their book.

Just saw the edit. We should write off a third of the country as being non academic at the age of 11? Absolutely amazing
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:58, Reply)

Where would the scaffolders be without poles?
Fucked. That's where. They'd just have planks and this would do nothing for the building trade.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:59, Reply)

It's a good thing he's only a child and thus his opinion is completely irrelevant.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:00, Reply)

Good at Music.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:52, Reply)

What if they're shit-hot at composition but all thumbs when it comes to performance?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:03, Reply)

They should have their thumbs cut off.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:08, Reply)

They should have
thumbs cut off is very much
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:15, Reply)

Yes, we should force people into the military
that's a really good idea, lets have an armed forces full of people who we couldn't educate properly.

Sorry, that's the ludicrous guardianista in me picking holes in that idea. Clearly it's a bullet proof plan.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:47, Reply)

The whole thing is a mess
even those bits that are good ideas and discussed by actual experts are so clearly motivated by an agenda
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:50, Reply)

We need more well trained, heavily armed idiots.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:51, Reply)

Thing is, the military could turn them into respectful, hardworking people who will at least attempt to contribute to society

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:00, Reply)

So why aren't all kids in the military, if they are so much better than teachers at educating?

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:01, Reply)

Because most children have been taught enough sense not to smash a bus shelter/ skull.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:02, Reply)

How many children smash skulls out of interest?

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:17, Reply)

Yes, of course it will
that's what the military excels at. It turns illiterate uneducated people into major contributers to society.

Do you know how much higher the pregnancy rates are in garrison towns?

Soldiers are not particularly responsible people.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:02, Reply)

*Taking the safety off and the gun out of the holster lolz*
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:03, Reply)

Too much Bad Lad's Army I think

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:15, Reply)

We CAN educate everyone properly, the vast majority of the "uneducated" seem in fact to be the willfully ignorant.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:01, Reply)

You're so wonderful
I can't wait until you actually meet some of these "willfully ignorant" people and tell them that.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:03, Reply)

I've met loads, for god sake a lot of the people in Wolverhampton fit into this category.
I have nothing against unintelligent people, I have a thing against unpleasant irresponsible people who rely on other decent people to clean up their shit then try ruin their lives. Rich or poor, toff or scally.
But there is very much a correlation between these people and thickos.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:07, Reply)

their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much
their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

I'm sure "their" is.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Remember lots of youths are ferile

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:12, Reply)

They are the worst kind fo youths.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:15, Reply)

Are you going to be a teacher when you grow up then?

( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:06, Reply)

No, too much risk of teaching in a sink school.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:08, Reply)

So you're prepared
Despite your assertions than "We can educate everyone" to allow the wilful masses to proliferate?
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Oh he knows what the solution is
but he's fucked if he's actually going to put his money where his mouth is and do something about it.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:11, Reply)

money +gun
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:13, Reply)

See I don't think the education system is bad overall, and the state school that I go to is amazing
But if YOU wan't to make it better, this is what I GATHER you COULD do.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:14, Reply)

Err - your English GCSE
Did it encompass punctuation?
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:16, Reply)

Have you started WRITING for the SUN?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:16, Reply)

for to
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:17, Reply)

I'm not one for gambling, but I'd put a lot of money on him ending up in IT support.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Starting as a Junior Helpdesk Analyst

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Or on a register

( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:11, Reply)