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Acton High School record results.....

Well done to AHS and pupils (see front page story)I hope the 6th form plans continue despite the Schools building funding cuts.As an aside dear Toby has been slagging off both A and GCSE levels plus the A-C percentage as a measure of schools. I am sure he has some valid points but it is somewhat mean to the students to join in the annual chorus belittling their efforts......See http://www.nosacredcows.co.uk/

Iain Muir ● 5868d2 Comments

Anyone who doesn't believe that the A and GCSE standards have, over the years, been very much dumbed down, well.......Have you interviewed anyone in the past, oh, 10 or 15 years, for a job and noted their general basic literacy, compared to your own when you were their age?Of course, there are many bright young people out there, however ........................

Rosco White ● 5868d

Well I certainly do not believe in the 'good old days', my grammar and spelling have never been that good and I blame the grammar school I went to! I agree that the 'A' and 'O' levels that I sat are very different to the modern equivalents as were the the methods used in my education. Education has moved on and improved beyond recognition since the majority were condemned to Secondary Moderns.See this piece from the Guardian regarding improving performance (and the online comments) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/21/ben-goldacre-bad-science-examsYoung people have many influences on their literacy and communication skills outside of school. TV, computer gaming, the internet, mobile phones and texting, social networking sites etc etc.I think of teenagers as cygnets, they become swans given time. A bit like Harry Enfield's 'Kevin', and I have known a few 'Kevin's' over the years......

Iain Muir ● 5868d