This week I start my first job in 2 years, back into teaching. I graduated in 2009 as a FE teacher, getting experience in the college and university institutions. This year, I have struggled to find any full time teaching positions due to the lack of funding from the government for schools and colleges, which in turn has resulted in fewer classes and fewers students in them.
One college in question, who has had funding cut because 'it is not getting the grades' has treated the subject by employing teachers who dont even teach that subject, to teach an already failing class. No wonder the grades of Es and U's are causing the college to re-think taking it into the second year of an A2 class.
With a failing economy and cuts being made to fund elsewhere, is it really nessasary to cut colleges and schools?
I understand if a college or school does not get the grades, then funding is cut but then you need to invest in teachers who can teach the subject. I teach media myself, and if I was asked to teach Science or English - how could I refuse? A few chapters in a book before the lesson, and I am expected to teach. Academy's are meant to be 'reinventing' the education system in failing areas around London. Throwing money into new facilities which are great, but with rules stating FE teachers (such as myself) cannot teach across the board but secondary teachers can, doesnt really give the student's much of a chance.
My subject is very far and few in between when it comes to positions that are available. I have been lucky in the past to pick up supply work. but with class students beein failed bythe system and supply teachers coming into assist in an already established class, it is disturbing for their learning and the teachers teaching.
NQT's these days do not get the support they need to continue to find work. I have been out of teaching for 2 years now and I should of completed by Qualifying year, progressed and developed into management or even as a head of department but with lack of jobs and support for NQT's it's hard to move on the lader.
Tuesday
Hackney - E5
I have recently moved from the London borough of Lambeth which is in South West London and have head East, to the ‘roughest borough’ in London – Hackney. Now I can imagine everyone’s thoughts on the borough, that in the Lodnon riots, shook the nation. Footage of children as young as 12 running around setting fire to cars, smashing shop windows and also attacking students while they await on the platform at Hackney Central... I am the first one to be influenced by the media and what crime statistics are in an area- it is important to me.
While looking for houses in the Hackney borough it did appear to me that despite it being one of the most desirable places to live in London – it is in fact the most poverty strike. One would think that with the amount of attention one borough gets, the interesting markets and art culture that the borough thrives on, wouldn’t be the place where the most crime takers place in the city.
Moving from a suburban area of London where there is a coming at the end of the road and more buggies and dogs walking around that East Dulwich, I was a bit dubious moving to a place where there are more gangs and gun crime than the national average.
‘Post code war’ is bellowed from Hackney Gazette billboards, and sirens go off every 5 minutes but for a place that has a bad rep, i am growing to love it. Nearby Hommerton is a little scary – more high rises than I have seen, but that’s the difference between the north and south of the river. There is always going to be a divide and it is not necessarily to do with money or unemployment, but there is a shift in the atmosphere but i can’t put my finger on it.
How i can explain it – living south of the river in Peckham and Streatham for the last 2 years, I can understand that ‘getting by’ is more evident in deprived boroughs – places that have not been supported well by council’s or have high unemployment rate. Those who know from national statistics and the rates of crime – unemployment plays a part in this and because there are hundreds of council owned buildings- could this be another cause? Yes, SW London has council areas, and nhot everyone who lives in high rises supports crime but a borough that was ‘made for the working class’ still has that reputation of being just a working class area.
So how did an area become so trendy and in demand with up and coming artists and aspiring graduates? It can’t be the house prices – they are the most expensive in the city. Now the olympics is coming to London, the boroughs have had a revamp. Using celebrities to ‘sell’ and ‘support’ local markets, areas and deprived places such as Tower Hamlets and Cambridge Heath, it is a way of ‘loving your area’ and building community, which I think these places have lacked over the last few decades.
Brixton has always had a bad reputation – Brixton Village is somewhere which has borough communities and local business’s together and I have never felt uncomfortable walking around at night there.
I do feel a little apprehensive walking around Hackney at night- but not because I am not street wise- I do know where to avoid and I am cautious as any young woman would be when walking home at night, but there does seem to be something in the air around the street’s which does make me feel slightly cold.
Hackney is improving ‘I live Hackney Campaign’ is a great way of involving local communities asn well as those who don’t always go to the area. ‘Fuck Yeah Hackney’ is a great blog where people can share ideas, chat and discuss. There are lot of things that are improving and I would like to see Hackney become more of a friendly place where I can tell people, come here! Residing at a house party in Wandsworth I was shocked to see so many residents and lovers of the Clapham and Balham postcode to turn stuff when i said i was moving to Hackney ‘Why would you want to move their?..’ I explained i fancies a change and it was closer to the city, which is always a bonus...I felt myself justifying why I was moving their,. At the time I couldn’t give a valid answer- it was more expensive, higher crime rate and didn’t offer much else. Now I have been there a short time, I already enjoy the creative side to a borough that is full of designers, fashion and great food.
Do any of you live in Hackney – What are your views on the area – What do you love about it?
While looking for houses in the Hackney borough it did appear to me that despite it being one of the most desirable places to live in London – it is in fact the most poverty strike. One would think that with the amount of attention one borough gets, the interesting markets and art culture that the borough thrives on, wouldn’t be the place where the most crime takers place in the city.
Moving from a suburban area of London where there is a coming at the end of the road and more buggies and dogs walking around that East Dulwich, I was a bit dubious moving to a place where there are more gangs and gun crime than the national average.
‘Post code war’ is bellowed from Hackney Gazette billboards, and sirens go off every 5 minutes but for a place that has a bad rep, i am growing to love it. Nearby Hommerton is a little scary – more high rises than I have seen, but that’s the difference between the north and south of the river. There is always going to be a divide and it is not necessarily to do with money or unemployment, but there is a shift in the atmosphere but i can’t put my finger on it.
How i can explain it – living south of the river in Peckham and Streatham for the last 2 years, I can understand that ‘getting by’ is more evident in deprived boroughs – places that have not been supported well by council’s or have high unemployment rate. Those who know from national statistics and the rates of crime – unemployment plays a part in this and because there are hundreds of council owned buildings- could this be another cause? Yes, SW London has council areas, and nhot everyone who lives in high rises supports crime but a borough that was ‘made for the working class’ still has that reputation of being just a working class area.
So how did an area become so trendy and in demand with up and coming artists and aspiring graduates? It can’t be the house prices – they are the most expensive in the city. Now the olympics is coming to London, the boroughs have had a revamp. Using celebrities to ‘sell’ and ‘support’ local markets, areas and deprived places such as Tower Hamlets and Cambridge Heath, it is a way of ‘loving your area’ and building community, which I think these places have lacked over the last few decades.
Brixton has always had a bad reputation – Brixton Village is somewhere which has borough communities and local business’s together and I have never felt uncomfortable walking around at night there.
I do feel a little apprehensive walking around Hackney at night- but not because I am not street wise- I do know where to avoid and I am cautious as any young woman would be when walking home at night, but there does seem to be something in the air around the street’s which does make me feel slightly cold.
Hackney is improving ‘I live Hackney Campaign’ is a great way of involving local communities asn well as those who don’t always go to the area. ‘Fuck Yeah Hackney’ is a great blog where people can share ideas, chat and discuss. There are lot of things that are improving and I would like to see Hackney become more of a friendly place where I can tell people, come here! Residing at a house party in Wandsworth I was shocked to see so many residents and lovers of the Clapham and Balham postcode to turn stuff when i said i was moving to Hackney ‘Why would you want to move their?..’ I explained i fancies a change and it was closer to the city, which is always a bonus...I felt myself justifying why I was moving their,. At the time I couldn’t give a valid answer- it was more expensive, higher crime rate and didn’t offer much else. Now I have been there a short time, I already enjoy the creative side to a borough that is full of designers, fashion and great food.
Do any of you live in Hackney – What are your views on the area – What do you love about it?
Wednesday
Expect more updates!
So now the winter night are here I will be updating this blog more with possible reviews on nights out around London and the UK. I love writing about nights and days out that I have experienced although my bethmay blog is probably more wish and fashion based.
Friday
My New Home - Peckham Labour?
As the 2nd debate was on last night i took it upon myself to check the Times Online and see who was running in my new area. Since moving to London, i have noticed that the area in which i live in (East Dulwich) is actually classed as Peckham. Predomanantly Labour voters, this area is one of the most deprived areas in South East London. The area oa Walworth, Camberwell, is targetted for being one of the most notorious areas in London, with Albylth Estate being subjected to poor amenities and horrednous effects on the neighborhood. As i get the number 12 bus from Pckham Rye Common, its a frightening experience, especially when i have to sit on the bus for 60 minutes from Oxford Circus to Peckham. It runs through Camberwell and Elephant and Castle, which in itself is a run down area. Only 1% of voters are conser vative with 3% voting Lib Dem.
In contrast, my home Farnborough in Hampshire is 98% Conservative and only 1% Labour. It is hard to place residents in Peckham inot a box, but what i have witnessed seems to be imigrants who do not work and are living in social housing. Facts from the Times Online shows that 60% of redisdents are Afro Carribean and 40% of these live in the social housing estates. It is hard not to get frightening when walking down peckham Rye, especially after getting home from work at 8pm/. I have a 6 month contract on ym flat, and although i love it, i feel i may need to live somewhere more West or move East or North.
I have been thinking about my local constiuancy rather than the country as a whole as i feel where i am located is in need of a lot of work. Estates that are run down next door to million pound houses, its hard to comorehend how the other half live but let a;lone when they are only detached by 1 brick wall. Who thought that building up was better for the city? More people in one area, all on the 12 bus and crushing me to death. It was only last week that a woman pulled out a knife on the bus and declared war on an inocent bystander. The police took 15 minuites to get to the bus, where in that time someone could of been hurt.
Elephant and Castle needs to have more police patrolling the streets. Everytime i get on a bus i wonder about if i will be safe.
Walking aroujnd Angel and Stoke Newington, i felt very safe. Please, can we put safety first?
In contrast, my home Farnborough in Hampshire is 98% Conservative and only 1% Labour. It is hard to place residents in Peckham inot a box, but what i have witnessed seems to be imigrants who do not work and are living in social housing. Facts from the Times Online shows that 60% of redisdents are Afro Carribean and 40% of these live in the social housing estates. It is hard not to get frightening when walking down peckham Rye, especially after getting home from work at 8pm/. I have a 6 month contract on ym flat, and although i love it, i feel i may need to live somewhere more West or move East or North.
I have been thinking about my local constiuancy rather than the country as a whole as i feel where i am located is in need of a lot of work. Estates that are run down next door to million pound houses, its hard to comorehend how the other half live but let a;lone when they are only detached by 1 brick wall. Who thought that building up was better for the city? More people in one area, all on the 12 bus and crushing me to death. It was only last week that a woman pulled out a knife on the bus and declared war on an inocent bystander. The police took 15 minuites to get to the bus, where in that time someone could of been hurt.
Elephant and Castle needs to have more police patrolling the streets. Everytime i get on a bus i wonder about if i will be safe.
Walking aroujnd Angel and Stoke Newington, i felt very safe. Please, can we put safety first?
Tuesday
HAHA
Just 4 hours is the time it took for Conservative part leader, David Cameron to hit back with his version of 'stuck in the 80's'
While mooching around London i have seen many posters of the two parties fighting it out.
The conservative party have got Saachi and Saachi advertising agency on board for their campaign. I believe its interesting and quite refreshing to see wit and sarcasm coming from the Tories. Using oposing manefesto's to launch attack is wise, yet it is also about reaching out to the 'Silent generation' who is you and i included. I am pretty much in limbo about the pro's and con's of each party - any would say anything to win a vote. With Tories being 39% of voters choice (2% above Labour) its a close call, and i believe every vote counts. I am voting Tory this year. Moan all you like, i am not a protagonist, siff iron board wanker - i am just up for 'change'.
Friday
The Big Chill 2010
I love it, it is by far one of the best festivals i have ever been too. For those who want to escape the carnage that is Reading or Leeds, this is your best bet. Of course i enjoy a heavy rave untill 5am with mad hatters bouncing around the Big Tops, and beer being thrown in my direction, if uninvited...But what The Big Chill offers is so much more.
While you try to negociate with 14 year olds at reading, the big chill has offerings of maturity. The days are filled with Jazz and Funk from Mr Scruff's tea room on the lake, which also plays 1920's music from its speakers. Fairy stall's and enchanhted gardens are located in the valley's where you stumble across poetry readings on stages no bigger than your dining room table. Buses and floats escourt flowers and cider aroun dthe fields in a beautiful manner, much like santa on his at Christmas. Children run around with bubbles and flowers while parents graze on the grass sipping on ice tea and smoking sheesha. It is one of the great things of the big chill, everything is civilised when it needs to be. Cue 10pm and things get a little darker and messier, which is apropiate at that time of day. After bonobo and Quantic who blew me away i was given a bollocking by Annie Knightingale and Krafty Kutz. This also followed ORBITAL and Basement Jaxx on the mainstage. This year, MIA is headlining with Massive Attack which will be amazing. Last year i got press pass but instead of trying to blag it this year, i bought a ticket. Its that good, i acually spent the money and bought a bloody ticket.
Melt! Is going to be a marathon of dance sweat and tears which will be followed by a mellow 3 days in the Heredfordshire downs, chilling with a cuppa and bopping to Fourtet and Massive attack. It is not a fairy land of magic but it comes close...
After starting of in 2005, the festival has grown so much. It has increased capacity by a further 10,ooo this year with better acts and a higher priced ticket. Think Bestival 5 years ago - only 20 thousand people, a small island in Hampshire that has now balooned to 45k and still on a small island in Hampshire. Lets hope the Big Chill doesnt get greedy now - yes you have to increase the price, but keep the 'mainstream' out and let them go to Reading.
Linds - TORTURE!
She pretended to care, cry and even give a view on the tafficing. She reported from the comfort of her hotel room and her car which she moaned about. He even had the cheek to say ' God it stinks'. For someone who is trying to 'redeem' themselves, this was was not a fair deal. I could watch this documentary with anyone else and witness carnage and sympathise with the children and the volunteer. Linsday just had to jump out of a car and see around 3 hours a day of the torture. Volunteers would of camped out and helped, got involved. Instead she clung to her nostrils while hoping for some magical white powder to enter.
Her lips were on show remarkably - only for short amounts of time, as they were still swolen and she looked like she was chewing the inside of her mouth.
BBC3, you fail me.
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