What exactly is this woman's position in the government?

Ooops! I see Jalima has already given the link. I agree with others that the whole idea seems horrendous.

It is mathematics at Key Stages 1 & 2 (the old 'Infant' & 'Junior' schools) Absent as opposed to just arithmetic.

Maggiemaybe- I assume that was tongue in cheek. That was a terrible thing to happen. Poor children who aren't so bright. Thank goodness such brutality no longer exists in the classroom.

This just fills me with despair. How dare someone that cannot spell a simple word and sign her name correctly be telling anyone about education. She is not a personal friend, her name both Christian and surname should be used. She doesn't know the absolute basics. If she wrote to me for a job, unless it was fruit picking, her application would be returned saying I expected her to have the basic grasp if the written English language and when she does, to write to me again. At least the applicant would know why they were not getting interviews and make the necessary steps to put it right. I feel so sorry for all the pressure our children are out under and for what? To send a letter out like that and name stupid rules that mean nothing.

Sorry about the rogue capital and if instead of of, this I pad puts down words you didn't write and I should have checked before pushing send.

It was very much tongue in cheek, mumofmadboys. I'm surprised that anyone could take it at face value (surely the last sentence and the gave it away?). Sorry if not, I'll try to speak more plainly in future! Those Fridays are lodged firmly in my memory, along with the image of one boy wetting himself as he was approached for his weekly beating. I just fear that by publicly singling out the less able with our little ceremonies such as the formal presentation of the pen licence (and the fact that the work of the children who can't have it is prominently displayed in pencil on the classroom wall), we are slipping back to those times, even though the ruler, thank goodness, is out of the equation.

Thanks for the link to pen licences. It appears from what I read on the link that children may adopt any writing style they feel comfortable with whereas we were all taught a particular style which lapsed into individuality as we grew older. Is that the case? Any currently practising primary school teachers out there?

In any case, if Ms Morgan wants to be traditional and pedantic, 'we will' should be 'we shall'. Pah!

unless it was fruit picking, her application would be returned saying I expected her to have the basic grasp if the written English language
Luckylegs even fruit pickers have to have a grasp of the language being used by their employer, or they will not understand instructions on how to pick, pack and look after the fruit so that it is still top quality and fit for market - and, of course, a good understanding of all the health and safety instructions essential in today's world of work.

I did get my knuckles hit with a ruler, but it was not for not knowing my spelling or arithmetic (I don't think our HM hit us for that) - it was for talking.
It didn't stop me

I'm not sure about the pen licence idea - it seems to be encouragement rather than punishment and I think kindly teachers will award them to all children for achievement at their level, rather than for perfection.
That seems to be the case at DGD's school anyway.

Yes, I suppose that as with so many initiatives, Jalima, whether it's a positive or negative experience will depend on the school leadership and how they implement it.

I remember worrying about DS's dreadful writing when he was at secondary school. I was airily told that it would get better (It didn't! He still writes like a 4 year old at nearly 40) But this just seems way over the top. They seem to be deliberately setting up more and more things for children to fail at. No excitement, no fun, just endless rules.

I presume you've all signed this?

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/122038/signatures/new

To get year six SATS dropped.

Oh dear this thread is turning serious when it was just meant to poke fun at the people who are running our education system

If GN is going to remain 'fun' then let's not get too bogged down in the politics - this is not about getting SATs dropped - but more as granjura said about our politicians being 'bonkers' and taking a satirical poke at them

More TWTWTW than The Morning Star please!

Ah well! I'll leave this thread then. The trouble is that for anybody who works in or has worked in education or anybody who has children or grandchildren in state schools, the situation is very serious and beyond a laughing matter.

Nicky Morgan is a puppet, who seems to know virtually nothing about how schools are run or what it's like to be in a classroom. I find it very worrying that she can't even defend or explain her actions.

....or get her staff not to publish the KS1 SATs papers online by mistake!!

The paper has been cancelled and KS1 children throughout the country will now not sit their English Sat this year. They will use ongoing teacher assessments .......... now there's an idea!!!!

daphne

Surprise!!

I have worked in education and I have four grandchildren at state schools.....and my daughter is a secondary teacher

Nothing is beyond a laughing matter.......taking the pi$$ out of this lot is quite acceptable IMO and probably a more effective weapon than people realise.

Just consider the power of programmes such as HIGNFY and publications such as Private Eye.

When you start a thread, maybe you should indicate whether you want it to be serious or satirical and that you want to remain in control of content. I'm so angry about what's happening in education that it's beyond satire for me.

Over and out!

as the parent of DD getting into £50,000+ of debt with Student Loan Company to train as a Primary Education Teacher I can assure you that Nicki Morgan is no laughing matter.

sigh

As he probably doesn't consider himself to be a joke, I would think that being made the butt of satire is a very good way to attack him. Prick his balloon, don't blow it up even further by ALWAYS treating him seriously.

That doesn't put a halt to all the serious opposition to his plans, it just adds an attack from another direction and doubles the power of the assault, a pincer movement.

At last! Someone who 'gets it'

"Satire is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government or society itself, into improvement."

'And she means that sincerily' [sic]

Apologies for not pointing out that the OP came under the definition of 'satire' as opposed to 'a laughing matter' - hope the definition helps clarify the matter

Elegran, Who are you talking about? Nicky Morgan is a woman.