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17/09/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Exams System 'Almost Corrupt'
A former Government adviser has described England's exam system as "diseased" and "almost corrupt." Mick Waters, former Director at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, said exam boards are scheming in the dumbing-down of school exams. He added that the boards profit from textbooks that help teachers with the answers to their own exam questions. The comments are outlined in an interview for a book by the outgoing head of education at the National Union of Teachers, John Bangs. In Reinventing Schools, Reforming Teaching, Mr Waters says that before working for the QCA he thought all the criticism about exams being "dumbed-down" was "unfair".
He added: "You know, the old argument, more people passed than ever before. Since I've been there, I think the system is diseased, almost corrupt." Mr. Waters believes this is due to exam boards vying for business in a marketplace. He also said he had heard people from exam boards talking to head teachers trying to sell their qualifications by implying their examinations are easier than those of other boards.
Edexcel, England's largest exam board, dismissed the claims.
Appeal Over Peckham Shooting
Detectives from Trident are appealing for information after a man was shot in Peckham, South East London. The victim, a 20-year old man, was in Chandler Way with friends on September 12 when he was approached by a man who shot him in his thigh. The suspect, a young black man was dressed in dark clothing and made off in the direction of Pentridge Street. The victim was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery. Detective Constable Tom Medcroft, Trident Shootings Team urged any witnesses to come forward: "Chandler Way is a highly populated area and it is possible that there are people who heard or saw the incident who have not yet contacted the police."
Man Jailed After Shooting
A man who shot at door staff and members of the public outside a nightclub, after he was refused entry, has been jailed at the Old Bailey. Abdi Samanter, 29, of no fixed abode, received an indeterminate sentence to serve a minimum 11 years after being found guilty of two counts of attempted murder. The shooting took place outside Sosho Club in Tabernacle Street in Central London on December 14, 2009. Senior Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Michael Millar from the Trident north shootings team, said: "Samanter used a revolver to shoot five times at door staff and members of the public at close range - it was miracle no one was hit. Today's conviction could not have been achieved without the courage and bravery shown by two doormen and a passing taxi driver who chased and caught Samanter even though he levelled his firearm and shot at them. I would like to thank the men for their actions and for giving evidence at court."
(BMcN/BMcC)
A former Government adviser has described England's exam system as "diseased" and "almost corrupt." Mick Waters, former Director at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, said exam boards are scheming in the dumbing-down of school exams. He added that the boards profit from textbooks that help teachers with the answers to their own exam questions. The comments are outlined in an interview for a book by the outgoing head of education at the National Union of Teachers, John Bangs. In Reinventing Schools, Reforming Teaching, Mr Waters says that before working for the QCA he thought all the criticism about exams being "dumbed-down" was "unfair".
He added: "You know, the old argument, more people passed than ever before. Since I've been there, I think the system is diseased, almost corrupt." Mr. Waters believes this is due to exam boards vying for business in a marketplace. He also said he had heard people from exam boards talking to head teachers trying to sell their qualifications by implying their examinations are easier than those of other boards.
Edexcel, England's largest exam board, dismissed the claims.
Appeal Over Peckham Shooting
Detectives from Trident are appealing for information after a man was shot in Peckham, South East London. The victim, a 20-year old man, was in Chandler Way with friends on September 12 when he was approached by a man who shot him in his thigh. The suspect, a young black man was dressed in dark clothing and made off in the direction of Pentridge Street. The victim was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery. Detective Constable Tom Medcroft, Trident Shootings Team urged any witnesses to come forward: "Chandler Way is a highly populated area and it is possible that there are people who heard or saw the incident who have not yet contacted the police."
Man Jailed After Shooting
A man who shot at door staff and members of the public outside a nightclub, after he was refused entry, has been jailed at the Old Bailey. Abdi Samanter, 29, of no fixed abode, received an indeterminate sentence to serve a minimum 11 years after being found guilty of two counts of attempted murder. The shooting took place outside Sosho Club in Tabernacle Street in Central London on December 14, 2009. Senior Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Michael Millar from the Trident north shootings team, said: "Samanter used a revolver to shoot five times at door staff and members of the public at close range - it was miracle no one was hit. Today's conviction could not have been achieved without the courage and bravery shown by two doormen and a passing taxi driver who chased and caught Samanter even though he levelled his firearm and shot at them. I would like to thank the men for their actions and for giving evidence at court."
(BMcN/BMcC)
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16 June 2010
Ofqual 'Rejects' New Science GCSEs
Exam boards have "not gone far enough" to redraft new science GCSEs after Ofqual said they are still not hard enough. Ofqual has sent the new-look science exams back to the awarding organisations for more work to bring them up to the required standards.
Ofqual 'Rejects' New Science GCSEs
Exam boards have "not gone far enough" to redraft new science GCSEs after Ofqual said they are still not hard enough. Ofqual has sent the new-look science exams back to the awarding organisations for more work to bring them up to the required standards.
03 April 2012
Education Secretary Calls For A-Level Changes
The UK's Education Secretary has said that current A-Level exams fail to prepare students for university life and has called for the examinations to be reviewed. Michael Gove said, in a letter to an exam regulator, that universities should dictate the content of A-level papers and review them each year.
Education Secretary Calls For A-Level Changes
The UK's Education Secretary has said that current A-Level exams fail to prepare students for university life and has called for the examinations to be reviewed. Michael Gove said, in a letter to an exam regulator, that universities should dictate the content of A-level papers and review them each year.
15 July 2015
Man Charged Over Fatal Shooting In Liverpool
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Garston, Liverpool on Tuesday night. Police were called to reports of a road accident between a car and a scrambler bike on Banks Road in Garston at about 20:45 last night. However, when police arrived at the scene they found an 18-year-old man with serious gunshot wounds.
Man Charged Over Fatal Shooting In Liverpool
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Garston, Liverpool on Tuesday night. Police were called to reports of a road accident between a car and a scrambler bike on Banks Road in Garston at about 20:45 last night. However, when police arrived at the scene they found an 18-year-old man with serious gunshot wounds.
18 April 2007
University gunman was 'disturbed loner'
The gunman who shot dead 32 people at a US college has been described as a loner, whose college work was "disturbing". Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old from South Korea, who had been resident in the US since 1992, was an English student at Virginia Tech who lived on campus.
University gunman was 'disturbed loner'
The gunman who shot dead 32 people at a US college has been described as a loner, whose college work was "disturbing". Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old from South Korea, who had been resident in the US since 1992, was an English student at Virginia Tech who lived on campus.
07 September 2015
Welsh Government Launches New Educational Qualifications
A new set of educational qualifications have been launched in Wales. The move is the latest in a series of reforms to the education system, the Welsh Government said.
Welsh Government Launches New Educational Qualifications
A new set of educational qualifications have been launched in Wales. The move is the latest in a series of reforms to the education system, the Welsh Government said.
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