Earl Aelfheah

Private Schools drain the state system of talented teachers, pupils and parents. The state system loses a great deal when parents decide to withdraw their children, their energy and talents and instead invest them (along with considerable financial resources) in to competing with it. It's about giving your own child a competitive advantage in the world, by ensuring that all schools are not the same. Fair enough perhaps, but it seems disingenuous to pretend it's something else. amydown Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Given the shortage of state school places, I think > the more they can do to encourage quality > education through the private sector, the better. > > People who then end up sending their kids to > private school are, at the same time, relieving > pressure on the state school. As thee parents > don't get any tax deduction for education expenses > coming out of their net pay, the state doesn't > lose out and it provides more space in the state > system. > > If private schools were to lose charitable status > and therefore tax paying, for instance, the cost > would get passed onto parents. That would have a > huge knock on impact on already-stretched state > system capacity.

Fundamentally, a school which charges pupils thousands of pounds a term for their education is not a charity. Can anyone honestly suggest that it is, in the sense that most reasonable people would understand it? The rest is just spin.

They should have to not just refund the ticket, but pay compensation when people are delayed.

Interesting article here on Southwark's 'record straightening': http://35percent.org/blog/2014/09/20/setting-the-record-straight/

It's good that Southwark Council wish to set the record straight. I assume they will be supporting the call for an independent review then?

This is nice (Top public schools using charity status to help parents reduce tax bills): http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/20/wealthy-parents-save-on-tax-bills-thanks-to-private-schools-39-charitable-status.aspx

DadOf4 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I know one club that provides free membership to > kids who otherwise wouldn?t be able to play their > sport ? that same club made a loss last year. But > they still have to keep shelling out to Dulwich > estate. ^ it is hard to argue with the perversity of this situation.

Was the monkey riding on the back of a cloud?

Not just 'some stuff out' - first release in 13 years. Jah Lush Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Aphex Twin has some stuff out.

I have asked James Barber whether he will support an investigation. He's been a bit unwell, so he's not had a chance to respond yet, but will keep you posted.

http://logonoid.com/images/thumbs/aphex-twin-logo.png

Asset Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, at a guess, I'd say that the people whose > kids are at Heber will say Heber is better and the > people whose kids are at Goodrich will say > Goodrich is better. > I think they are pretty much of a muchness. Very > close to each other, similar size, similar > demographic. Don't know what the parity is > regarding 'results' but they can be found on the > web I'm sure. > > I'd put the closest one first personally. Exactly this^

It's ridiculous that independent schools are given charitable status in my opinion. I really can't see any justification for it.

What the hell is a Hipster anyway? I am not sure I could hate anyone for the way they dress. I could dislike people for judging others quite superficially tho.

Thanks PokerTime, I've emailed them

Anyone know when tsunami is opening?

A short piece on People's Republic of Southwark website regarding the petition. http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthwark.co.uk/hold-news/news/3545-investigate-the-heygate-scandal

Good stuff as always Dulwich Raider.

Update: the petition has passed 500 signatures in just a few days.

White Chicks

Scotland - Don't vote with your heart. Or head. Just use the pencil provided.

I don't like nationalism. The flag waving, the tribalism, the inherent parochialism. It nearly always relies on some resentment of 'the other'. UKIP blame everything on Brussels, the SNP on the English/Westminster, the BNP on ethnic minorities and foreigners. The SNP has good rhetoric - I too would like to see a more progressive Scotland - but also a more progressive UK and a more progressive EU. Such things are much more likely to be achieved together, through co-operation, solidarity and collective action. Fragmentation and factionalism is not an answer.

Apparently Brown has just made an amazing speech which is going to change everything (sounds highly improbable I'll grant you). Anyone seen / heard it?

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I liked this bit of that article. > > "Lend Lease, in a defence that verged on farce, > pleaded the human right to ?peaceful enjoyment of > its possessions?, arguing that disclosing the > viability assessment would amount to ?unjustified > interference with this enjoyment? > > > Poor lambs, having their human rights abused. > Unbelievable.

As of 4 O'clock, there are over 300 signatures.