Author Archive

Teacher Training in the UK – new Policy

Education Secretary Michael Gove has indicated that the Government should only pay to train graduates with a 2.2 degree or higher as teachers . Implementing such a policy could according to Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson  lead  to ” big holes” in the number of graduates training to become teachers in maths, physics, chemistry […]

Toner Recycling

Where  I work we have a number of colour and mono laser printers. We always recycle and use the manufacturer’s return system where ever it is offered. HP until recently had a return address option sheet in the new toner box. Now if you wish to use their return service you need to go online […]

SEN & disability Green Paper

Yesterday I wrote about the Ofsted view on Special Educational Needs in education. You may recall that they suggest that good teachers would solve the problem. The Children’s Minister Sarah Teather has asked all those involved to contribute to the Government’s Green Paper on special educational needs(SEN) The Green Paper will cover a multitude of […]

Ofsted comments on Special Needs Children

Ofsted the body in the UK that that is tasked with the standards in our schools has made comment to the effect that there would be less children in special needs if we had better teachers. On the face of it an odd suggestion or comment from the very body that checks on the standards […]

Income Tax Saga part3

On Friday I got notification of my taxcodings for 2010-11. They are no different to the ones I got in May. Now will the tax office electronically change my tax coding for my pension and then I should get my tax rebate of 6 months over paid tax. I am not holding my breath on […]

Income Tax Saga continues

Following on from my blog yesterday it appears that the income tax are sending out letter to 1.6 million people, give or take a few, to inform them that they either owe unpaid tax or that they have paid more tax than they should and will receive a cheque soon. As I commented yesterday the […]

Income Tax in the UK

Because of the work I do, it’s complicated, I have two sources of income and a pension on which I pay income tax as PAYE or Pay As You Earn. This March I got a notification for my tax coding indicating that on my pension and one of my jobs I would pay tax at 40%. […]

Almost the end of the Summer Holiday

Some schools have already opened for the new term and many more will do so tomorrow. As normal the weather has improved no end and no doubt once the new term gets into full swing it will be sunny and warm! Mum’s  and Dad’s will be frantically sorting out the new kit for school and […]

The 100 Blog Comments Challenge

Two of the lovely people in John Thornhill’s Master Class have come up with this challenge, go here for all the details http://creatingmybusinessonline.com/the-100-blog-comment-challenge/ I’m late, so whats new, but it’s a challenge so lets go for it. You will need a number of plugin installed for it to be of benefit to the challenge: DoFollow, […]

When Less is More

Hi whilst doing the weekly shop at a well-known supermarket chain I was looking for some tomato sauce. There were a number of choices including lower fat and salt. That’s very commendable, but why must I pay more for a product that has less salt and fat? Surely if it’s got less ingredients it’s cheaper to make? This […]