Whaaattt?

11+, then girls' grammar for me. I did fine, but, as an anxious bod, it took a toll. Chose not to go on to Uni at that point. (Did go later.) Headteacher said it had been a waste of time educating me.

I have reservations about the grammar school system. Entrance needs to be based on more than academic ability. Motivation is just as important and anxious introverts will only thrive if they are helped with the exam pressures.

 

Strange how the syllabus can differ @Obelix-Vendée . I also went to Grammar School and did both Latin and domestic science.

 

I was really surprised by those who said they had no idea that they were about to sit their 11 plus exam until the day. Whilst the knowledge that you have an important exam coming up can lead to anxiety for many - particularly at that tender age - it seems extremely unfair to turn up at school expecting a normal day only to be faced with an exam which decides your future for the next 5 years or so.

 

@Bluejayway the girls grammar school thought both were important but it had a headmistress and lots of women teachers who understood the need to know about domestic stuff for most women. Lymm Grammar's headteacher then was ex Manchester Grammar who thought the practcial and technical side of life was not for the academically inclined and I always thought he only tolerated girls anyway.

 

On our local news, a driver who drank 9 pints before crashing head on into an 18 year old motorcyclist and killing the rider, has been sentenced to 4 years and 2 months and will have to serve 20 months.
That seems a disgustingly light sentence, but the worst part was that he was only charged with driving without due care and attention. No explanation why he wasn't charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Surely drinking 9 pints and then driving is automatically dangerous.

 

I would hope these days that all subjects are available to both sexes during their secondary term of education. If I remember correctly, after your 2nd year, you could then choose which subjects you wanted to continue with for your GCE's altho some were still mandatory. Even so, not all "life skills" are taught at schools/colleges/universities - you need to be out in the "real" world to learn those.

 

/

 

I certainly have not learnt any "life skills" let alone passed any tests in them.

 

Bought four Morrisons hot cross buns today, firsty, they were cold and secondly they tasted of not much, had the grand total of three sultanas in each bun.

I wasted my £1.

 

@KT53 I hope the crown prosecution service appelas against that sentence and the 18yr old's family appeal too as well as starting a stink in local press until it grows wider. I believe some US states have introduced laws saying that drivers under the influence must pay child support for the entire education of the children of any parent they kill. Ontario in Canada is thinking of doing that too.

Seems to me a similar compensation should be due to parents of young people killed for the loss of all that love and promise for the future.

@NigelJ you have skills to grow your own veg and share that knowledge here as well as loads of other info.

@pete see recipes on BBC Food and Good Food - not difficult and better and cheaper than shop bought.

 

I also had to give up domestic science because I was put in the stream that took Latin. It meant that I got to a fair bit of embroidery, but then missed out on the cookery lessons. I still enjoy embroidery, and have since learnt how to cook!

 

Really ? ? Not knowing your age but doubt you are still living with your parents and letting them feed and clothe you, take care of your laundry, give you a weekly allowance, ensure you don't stay out late at night , warn you about speaking to strangers, keep your room clean, work hard at school or job, learn about personal finance and accept that you will need to look after yourself at some point and pay your way in life.
That is what I meant by "life skills" and there isn't an actual test for this. ( I'm sure you would pass with flying colours tho )

 

@NigelJ is still alive and functioning in his mid-60s, so he has passed the "life skills" component of the subject "Being An Adult" with flying colours!

 

Little point in sentencing someon to 4 years but then saying they only need serve 20 months. There are reductions for Good Behaviour and also for taking part in various "help me with my problem" courses in prisons. However, at the time of sentencing, no one knows if either will apply so the sentencing isn't true at the time of conviction.

 

The 4 years is to lenient let alone 20 months, but we don't know all the facts. If it is the same case I am thinking of, then a drink driver shouldn't be driving period, but to ride a 600cc motor bike you need to have an A2 license and must be 19 year old to apply, plus the motorcyclist was doing over twice the speed limit in a 30 mph zone. I was into motor bikes along with my mates in my youth, I have been to numerous funerals and if they hadn't been excessively speeding, they probably would still be here.