specialist schools

[cowboy carl]

okay, i've always thought these were a terribly bad idea, cos 11-16 is FAR
too early to specialise in my opinion.

however, i know nothing more about this subject other than my intuition, and
since education is such an important thing to get right, i figure i should
know more about it.

so, i should probably read the hansard debates on the relavant education act
to inform me, but i can't be arsed, it's much easier to ask here. maybe
i'll look it up tomorrow.

anyway, the only argument i have heard for it which has made me consider it
(and hence post this message) was that specialist schools raise standards
across the board. which would obviously be a Good Thing and probably make
them worth it,

i don't really see why they should raise standards across the board tho, nor
have i heard or seen any evidence to support this claim.

so i was wondering if anyone in here had any opinons on the matter.

has anyone here been to a specialist school? was it good?

anyone here worked in one? know of anyone who has?

cc

[Toby]

Post by cowboy carl
okay, i've always thought these were a terribly bad idea, cos 11-16 is FAR
too early to specialise in my opinion.
however, i know nothing more about this subject other than my intuition, and
since education is such an important thing to get right, i figure i should
know more about it.
so, i should probably read the hansard debates on the relavant education act
to inform me, but i can't be arsed, it's much easier to ask here. maybe
i'll look it up tomorrow.
anyway, the only argument i have heard for it which has made me consider it
(and hence post this message) was that specialist schools raise standards
across the board. which would obviously be a Good Thing and probably make
them worth it,
i don't really see why they should raise standards across the board tho, nor
have i heard or seen any evidence to support this claim.
so i was wondering if anyone in here had any opinons on the matter.
has anyone here been to a specialist school? was it good?
anyone here worked in one? know of anyone who has?
cc

All I know is that that one school near me has become a specialist
centre for art(s), and one has become a specialist centre for
sports...Is that what you mean? As far as I can tell, it's just 'cause
that's what they were good at before, but now they're publicising
it...Also quite funny to learn that my old English teacher has become
a Super Teacher, on an increased salary, going around to other schools
and telling people how to teach English or something...He was a bit of
a prick, actually...For some reason he always thought I was
questioning him and snapped at me, I mean honestly?!?!??!?! :P He
also explained the concept of Mrs. Malaprop by using me as an example
GRRRR

[Ian/Cath Ford]

Post by cowboy carl
anyone here worked in one? know of anyone who has?

Yup. Tech status, until next summer when we fail to hit the stupidly
aggressive target that was set and the money gets taken away and we
make someone (probably me) redundant.

They bring money but you have to decide like 5 years in adavnce what
to spend it on and it gets channelled into the key subject areas
generally. We have videos and ohps in our area, but that's it in
terms of tech. Can't book a computer room cause of all the kids
having their timetables lessons (courtesy of tech bid) in the room.
Hmmm.

My opinion - bit daft; just split the money and give it all to
individual schools.

From a student pov I don't think there's really any difference.
**perhaps** in LOndon where thered be lots of them and parents have a
reaistic choice - but out here where it's maybe an hours bus ride t
the *nearest* school? Makes sod all difference - so the policies
essentially been invented for big cities. Well bugger me, thatmakes a
change then....

Ian