Comments on: At last - the Network Rail ‘A’ Level arrives http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/ Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Wokingham Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:16:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: mikestallard http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16799 mikestallard Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:11:36 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16799 I was there, in 1999 when the A level and GCSE were dumbed down. We actually had "Sharon" (who she?) explaining the (cooked) RE marking system to us. We actually had the Head of Classics, when she said she didn't understand the marking system herself, pushed aside by a musician to explain it to us. I actually watched the anger on the face of the Head of History when his subject was deliberately ruined by QCA. Then - to make it look fair - my best student got a C when all her coursework was 99% - and returned marked before she sat the exam. It stinks. I was there, in 1999 when the A level and GCSE were dumbed down. We actually had “Sharon” (who she?) explaining the (cooked) RE marking system to us. We actually had the Head of Classics, when she said she didn’t understand the marking system herself, pushed aside by a musician to explain it to us. I actually watched the anger on the face of the Head of History when his subject was deliberately ruined by QCA.

Then - to make it look fair - my best student got a C when all her coursework was 99% - and returned marked before she sat the exam.

It stinks.

]]> By: Man in a Shed http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16776 Man in a Shed Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:18:14 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16776 The government has finally lost the plot. They have no idea what the difference between training and education is. Next we'll hear you can get to University with a 'A' level in bar tending from Wetherspoon's. The government has finally lost the plot. They have no idea what the difference between training and education is.

Next we’ll hear you can get to University with a ‘A’ level in bar tending from Wetherspoon’s.

]]> By: Cliff http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16772 Cliff Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:47:32 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16772 These are further examples of the general dumbing down of education in our country. This is so that the less academically able do not feel left out as we wouldn't want to hurt their feelings now would we? What PC Labour fail to realise, is that if everyone can achieve an A levels irrespective of their abilities, then the A level is worthless. We have already started to see the results of the general trend to dumb down A levels, many companies and universities will require a candidate to sit an entrance exam rather than relying on a fistful of A*s. My own personal favourite is the A Level in burger joint management being offered by a leading burger chain. I would be burger flipping lovin' it to be offered this worthwhile qualification!! I wonder if I could have gained entry to Oxbridge or a red brick university with an A level (sic) in burger flippin' or train cancellation excuses, these must set me up to pursue a degree in something like astro physics, jurisprudence or even philosophy. These are further examples of the general dumbing down of education in our country. This is so that the less academically able do not feel left out as we wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings now would we? What PC Labour fail to realise, is that if everyone can achieve an A levels irrespective of their abilities, then the A level is worthless. We have already started to see the results of the general trend to dumb down A levels, many companies and universities will require a candidate to sit an entrance exam rather than relying on a fistful of A*s.

My own personal favourite is the A Level in burger joint management being offered by a leading burger chain. I would be burger flipping lovin’ it to be offered this worthwhile qualification!!

I wonder if I could have gained entry to Oxbridge or a red brick university with an A level (sic) in burger flippin’ or train cancellation excuses, these must set me up to pursue a degree in something like astro physics, jurisprudence or even philosophy.

]]> By: Letters From A Tory http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16765 Letters From A Tory Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:57:42 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/01/28/at-last-the-network-rail-a-level-arrives/#comment-16765 Sounds good to me. If your qualification fails, someone will financially support you for the rest of your life. http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com Sounds good to me. If your qualification fails, someone will financially support you for the rest of your life.

http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com

]]>