Education, education.....education.

[knight66]

Is this the way forward?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article1784733.ece

Extracts as follows.....

Dr McMurdo insisted that he would not back down on his controversial decision to have no playground at the school, arguing that it was time to end the tyranny that playtime exercised over the traditional school day.

Why programme into a child's precious hours with us a period of haphazard random activity that can be pursued elsewhere in a child's own time?

Dr McMurdo speaks with conviction, but his insistence that he has neither the space nor the funding for playgrounds rings hollow – not least because the school will have five tennis courts, four rugby and four cricket pitches and several all-weather pitches. There will also be a gym, an enormous sports hall and a dance studio, as well as a sculpture park, eco-pond and outdoor amphitheatre.


Dr McMurdo, a Falklands veteran who had his first experience of teaching on HMS Battleaxe, says that he wants to run his school like a business, treating pupils as employees.

Lunch will be incorporated into the third lesson of the day, when students will be escorted to the refectory and given 30 minutes to eat before returning directly to the classroom.

Mike

[greg]

i wanna pway on de pwaygwound 

[karlhenning]

Dr McMurdo, a Falklands veteran who had his first experience of teaching on HMS Battleaxe, says that he wants to run his school like a business, treating pupils as employees.

Oof!  That's right, train those corporate drones at an early age!

[Hector]

If what is reported is true, and the British press are notorious for the lies they print, then it is time this idiot understood, firstly that 'play' is a recognised element in a child's development and that, secondly, there is a distinction between the provision of public services, such as Education and Health, for example, that no business model can cater for.

I blame the clowns that appointed this moron, sorry, imbecile.

£46m

[DavidW]

Playtime is an exercise break which makes the students more alert, and also less nervous and fussy (pent up energy).  Playtime also helps build the most essential ingredient for good health (that many adults can forget about)-- daily exercise.

I would argue that recess is an essential part of school.  I also think that people in the work force would probably work better if they had an exercise break.  It is essential for brain function, c'mon!

I also think that proper nutrition is also vital for students to learn well.  If there should be any reform it should be in what is served in the cafeteria.  The few schools that have adopted a more healthy menu have seen a dramatic impact on the students' performance.

[Todd]

Dr McMurdo...says that he wants to run his school like a business, treating pupils as employees.

But I get recess.  Like time slyly spent posting online . . .

[greg]

But I get recess.  Like time slyly spent posting online . . .

as long as you're doing jumping jacks while you're posting

[Todd]

as long as you're doing jumping jacks while you're posting

No, but I will curse and yell myself into a good sweat.  Does that count as exercise?

[from the new world]

One thing that I have not seen mentioned is that by law children cannot be working (ie having lessons) for more than 2 hours at a time.
The whole point of many registration times, breaks and lunchtimes are based on splitting the day into 2 hour slots. With no playground, where exactly would pupils go to, not least at lunchtime.

[knight66]

The article explains that teachers will have the discretion to allow a 10 minute break. In  another article it explains that Wackford intends these breaks be taken in class to allow for 're-hydration'....presumably they only allow micturation in their own time, just get their back teeth floating, focuses the mind a treat.

Mike

[greg]

No, but I will curse and yell myself into a good sweat.  Does that count as exercise?

not really......

[Todd]

not really......

Crap.

[karlhenning]

Call from Richard Simmons for you, Todd.

[karlhenning]

We don't need no preachy Pink Floyd songs about education . . . .

[Todd]

Call from Richard Simmons for you, Todd.

Shit.

[Danny]

[david johnson]

fire the bum.
i'll run his school and have the students achieving better in one academic year than he will...and i'll have recess/break.

dj

[knight66]

I wonder how all this goes down with the teachers. It all reads like prison...pupils will be escorted to the refectory, then straightr back to class!

Mike