Following the media comment about Nick Clegg wanting to address the issues of poor social mobility in the UK through ensuring that it is not ‘who you know’, but ‘what you know’ in the UK that makes a difference.  I would like to add my view that there is actually nothing wrong with helping friends […]

Looking back at my first thoughts on the coalition agreement and the right for the coalition to abstain on any vote to raise tuition fees – that the public will not see abstaining as anything other than wimping out, I can see now that I had underestimated the Tory plan.  Although I do often give […]

Nick Clegg has asked for people to suggest ways in which the government can do more with less money.  Looking at this question from the perspective of a teacher, the first suggestion I would have made would have been to stop the money being spent on the development and promotion of the new National Diplomas, […]

On Friday 12th March I had the honour of meeting the School Council at St John’s primary school.  They are a very impressive group of students who clearly consult the class members who appointed them before expressing concerns at Council meetings. The key issues raised at the school council meeting were: The need for a […]

I am pleased that Surrey County Council is making an effort with a scheme to create 350 new jobs in Surrey for young people, but I still do not think it is enough.  As I have said many times before, what is needed is more opportunities for young people to take up roles as so […]

At the Full Council meeting on 1st October 2009 I put forward a motion on youth services to the council. A copy of the motion can be seen at the end of this blog post. As is the system at the council, the motion was then referred to the Council’s Executive. The executive met on 15th […]

I have been informed that swimming lessons at the Pool in the Park are to change from term time only to all year round. This appears to have been done without consultation with customers, apparently to cut waiting lists, although how this will actually cut waiting lists is a mystery.  What it will mean is […]

On Thursday 29th January 2009, I visited the Lightbox to discuss the possibility of a human rights art contest and exhibition in 2010 to help promote the role Woking Borough Council plays in promoting human rights.  I was delighted to learn that the Lightbox are interested in such an event and hope that it will […]

On Wednesday 3rd December I visited St John’s Primary school, where I am a community governor.  I visited a range of classes from reception to Year 6.  I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and the dedication and clear planning from staff that showed in the lessons I watched.   St John’s Primary […]