Yep, it's Roy Hattersley not Blunkett but you're right that's another mistake as well as the photo. Park Hill is definitely not in the south west of the city. However, he is 90 now so maybe we'll let him off!
I think it's a misrepresentation to say that this 'mercia approach' applies to the other schools in the trust, we've seen none of this nonsense at King Ecgberts.
Hi Alex. Thanks for your comment. I just meant that staff at Talbot are a bit worried that things like Mercia's long working days (for both staff and children) wouldn't suit their setting. They may not need to worry but if for example The Tribune was taken over by another company with a very different ethos, I might have some concerns myself about what changes they had in store for me!
Yes fair enough to worry, but the implication is that the other schools have the same ethos, and they don't. I think Mercia School is the only one with long school days.
My Kid goes to Mercia, and I have to say (from someone on the inside) it's great. Everything they do is about giving their students parity and equal opportunities. Contrary to this piece's 'bottom line' that it runs more like a business is missing the point. The school's policies are not about operating like a business but giving the kids the best possible start in life regardless of background. The longer school days are one example of this. It's commonly known that less fortunate kids whose home environment is not conducive to homework fall behind. Staying back an hour later means all the kids get to do their homework in the same environment and with the same support. I find that most gossip and sneering that the school is subject to usually comes from the misinformed.
Roy Hattersley's piece is, as you say, wrongly illustrated. In the piece itself he fails to mention Chris Bush, who actually wrote Standing at the Sky's Edge, and asserts that the three families it features are all working class - the first clearly is, the second, Liberian family is, I am pretty sure, of unknown class and the third is very definitely middle class. And Park Hill was conceived, planned and almost finished before Roy happened to become the committee chair when it was completed. Apart from this, a good piece.
Comment on Blunkett article. Seems strange to say Park Hill is in South West Sheffield or did I misread the article. South East?
Yep, it's Roy Hattersley not Blunkett but you're right that's another mistake as well as the photo. Park Hill is definitely not in the south west of the city. However, he is 90 now so maybe we'll let him off!
I think it's a misrepresentation to say that this 'mercia approach' applies to the other schools in the trust, we've seen none of this nonsense at King Ecgberts.
Hi Alex. Thanks for your comment. I just meant that staff at Talbot are a bit worried that things like Mercia's long working days (for both staff and children) wouldn't suit their setting. They may not need to worry but if for example The Tribune was taken over by another company with a very different ethos, I might have some concerns myself about what changes they had in store for me!
Yes fair enough to worry, but the implication is that the other schools have the same ethos, and they don't. I think Mercia School is the only one with long school days.
My Kid goes to Mercia, and I have to say (from someone on the inside) it's great. Everything they do is about giving their students parity and equal opportunities. Contrary to this piece's 'bottom line' that it runs more like a business is missing the point. The school's policies are not about operating like a business but giving the kids the best possible start in life regardless of background. The longer school days are one example of this. It's commonly known that less fortunate kids whose home environment is not conducive to homework fall behind. Staying back an hour later means all the kids get to do their homework in the same environment and with the same support. I find that most gossip and sneering that the school is subject to usually comes from the misinformed.
Roy Hattersley's piece is, as you say, wrongly illustrated. In the piece itself he fails to mention Chris Bush, who actually wrote Standing at the Sky's Edge, and asserts that the three families it features are all working class - the first clearly is, the second, Liberian family is, I am pretty sure, of unknown class and the third is very definitely middle class. And Park Hill was conceived, planned and almost finished before Roy happened to become the committee chair when it was completed. Apart from this, a good piece.