Our Children's Education

My wife taught our 4 eldest children at home until we had an unexpected pregnancy when the youngest was 13 and we had to put them into school. Our 2 youngest have never been to school. The lad is 14 and just obtained an IGCSE in Maths, grade B. I'm not anti-school as I said I've been a governor for some years, and two of my daughters are now teachers, but I think there is too much pushing children out to school/nursery at too young an age.

I guess most of here played at shops when we were in primary school. I hear that it is not the practice in the Eton preparatory school. There the teachers tell the children they'll have time to play at shops when they become Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I remember Mr Rosser! He was quite frightening but I believe a good man with kid's interests at heart. But I was glad to have Mr. Hale as form teacher and also before that Mr Williams. Mrs Evans was head when I was there. After she retired a group of us went to visit her once, she had loads of cats. Like most female teachers, she had to sacrifice marriage to be a teacher. Married women before the war not allowed to continue in the profession. I guess her generation also the WW1 generation of women who lost many of their male counterparts and didn't marry for that reason either. Anyone remember the caretaker at the school who many of us were scared of? And the milk for break time left outside in the sun so it got curdled...

Mr Rosser was a really good teacher. In my time Mr Rosser lived in the Riddings and came to work on a bicycle. And yes, I too believe he had each and every child's interests at heart - as did the other teachers too. It seemed teachers of that era had a 'calling' rather than a profession. Perhaps they recognised us as 'the future' rather than just as a means of earning a living. The only other male teacher at the school in my memories is a Mr Day. I'm sad to say that I don't remember the names of any of the female teachers - though I do remember the teacher of my reception class was very pretty, and I thought that when I was only five-years-old. I believe parents contributed to a party for Mrs Evans retirement which was held in Canley Club. Do you mean 'Jock' the caretaker - quite short but sinewy? Lived in the little house that faced Charter Avenue. Never ever saw a wife though.

Hi all A sad reflection on our society is here. It is a sobering thought that many foodbank customers are in full-time work Just a thought. Education is not just about geography, languages & mathematics. It is about learning personal management so that we can manage our affairs. What lets us down in here in Coventry & the rest of the UK is the attitude by so many that education does not matter. Managing our affairs does matter, but to do that, we need to be able to make decisions for ourselves. Those without that ability, will always be vulnerable to exploitation by whoever. The way things are heading in politics at present, our current welfare provisions, might not be so widely available in the future. Who knows!

Even education could nt help on managing the impossible Philip, especially with those bringing up children. I wonder how many even here realise the cost not only to feed children even if cooking for them as one lady mp stated which shows she doesnt live in the real world, why we have such people running our country I dont know and they call them selves educated, what a joke. Then the costs, with first being taxed on wages, cloths and shoes, food, replacing, domestic appliences, beding, fuel for transport, gas, electric, water, tv, or a pc which children are exspected to do their home work on , as the libraries wont be there will they with closing most of them down and then their are nappies, toiletries, washing powder, even having to paying into schools for photos, charities non uniform days, school trips and if you have 3 or 4 kids in school mounts up. Clothing and shoes for children are dearer than adults. In fact 3rd worlds are better off, they dont get proceed foods, they eat grains and pulses, have warmth not damp weather like us which causes illness , in warm countries MS is un heard of. How they have the gaul to criticise the poor of handling their affairs, when they the politians can't handle theirs, for the running of this country and having to take loans to run this country, then most that are millionaires steal hundreds of thousands of the tax payers from the poor peoples money to clean their moats or decorate their home at a £1.000 per role wall paper, I dont know. Then allow these big foreign corporates to get away in not paying tax here, yet they would nt help their own companies get away with it like the Jag for one, I did nt see government help our british companys. Now recently was threatening to take Jag job s abroad that would mean more poorer won t it. Then if Conservative get back in I ve read through Osbournes Ideology by half he will be cuttung the social care a bit like Labour who bought in when they pushed the disabled to kill them selves saying they were capable of working when they were not.

Hi all This week is huge for our A level students. I am sure that every member of our forum is rooting for all of our youngsters up & down our land who will be anxiously awaiting Thursday results day. Whatever the achievements or disappointments, Rome was not built in a day. For some, the world awaits, whilst for some a bit of thinking will be needed. For our youngsters, please don't give up if the first hurdle trips you up. Just pick-up the pieces & carry on. For our parents, just back-em with every ounce that you have to give them. They are not just our future, they are our here & now. Best wishes to you all!

Philip....You said that "Rome wasn't built in a day" I can assure you that if I had been foreman on that job it would have been.

To be serious Philip I wish to echo your comments,best of luck to all students. I cannot remember ever sitting an exam at school. This was probably due to the war, my father being at sea and my mother being very ill with TB, consumption in those days. I was sent here there and every where. Wheelwright Lane and Windmill Rd being the main schools. I was probably somehow overlooked.

Hi all Coventry A-levels Results: Joy and tears as students celebrate Pam & I, (& his other grandparents) are delighted with our grandson's results, although he wishes that they were better. He has a place at UNI & also apprentice interviews on-going. He is a hard worker, worked all of the time he was in his sixth form & still is working now. I know of the delight of at least two of our forum members with regard to their grandchildren's performance. I love them to bits. For those who are disappointed, take heart as you are only disappointed because you care. Pick up the pieces & back them all the way.

Do you know Philip, I've never met you and only read your kind words and words of wisdom, sincerity, and other almost daily quotations and comments which are so endearing to a lot of people who enjoy perusing and contributing to this wonderful Forum Rob created. Because of this sincerity and love for all things (including Wednesday's Bacon Butty) I believe you would make a brilliant PM or at the least Ambassador for Coventry to become the 2021 City of Culture! C'mon folks, lets hear it for Philip!!!

Hey MR, Aren't the Government looking for a replacement venue whilst the H of C are being done up ??

Of course! The Belgrade will be ideal And Cafe Italia would become Our Philip's official residence