Today I was in school, in class, sitting next to a boy whom I have known since the beginning of the year. This boy is particularly unaware of his actions, and is also particularly horny and perverted; not towards me, but towards lots of others. This has never made me like him any less, because he's a teenage boy and even though he's over the top and confused (and most likely a virgin, making his over-confidence about his own sexuality all the more pitiful) he's funny and he's mostly pleasant.
We were talking and he was messing around, pretending to be annoyed because I took a pencil from his desk. Then he grabbed me in apology, which I didn't like and told him to piss me off. I also saw him gesture to the boy behind me, imitating a blow job. I told him to piss off again and left it at that; he's just a teenage boy, right? He's confused. He doesn't mean it. He doesn't realise how sexist and shitty that is.
Then after a while, he said "You're being a fucking slut today." I was pretty shocked, and the boy behind laughed in surprise. I laughed too, because it was just so ridiculous. And then he came right up in my face, and said so aggressively "You're a fucking cunt, you fucking slut."
At this the two other boys fell silent and then sort of laughed it off, but I just sat there and felt sort of sick. I don't know why, but it just hurt so much, not because there was any truth in it but because it had been so aggressive and so so sexist. In the middle of a crowded classroom. It didn't feel like a joke anymore. I cried on the way home, and I'm not sure why; he meant it as a joke, and as I said earlier he is unaware of his actions and didn't realise how much it really meant. But then I realised, why am I making excuses for him? It was a fucking awful thing to say, and it hurt, and it was sexist and it was shitty. He should be aware of his actions. He's fifteen, not a fucking kid, and he should know better. Why doesn't he know better? Because he spends his time watching porn and seeing girls as sex toys, because he's a hormonal teenage boy, because he hasn't been educated properly, or perhaps because he's just a dick. I don't know why. But it hurt and it wasn't right and it wasn't fair.
There's no real point in this post, but it seemed to me like there should be more to this than just 'he didn't mean it'. I should be more annoyed, and it shouldn't have been my first response to push it aside and think it was ok, because it's not, and having an attitude like that is what makes him think it's ok.

Education - My Views

It’s all very well debating the pros and cons of Mr Gove’s educational reforms among adults, but no-one seems to have taken into account the views of the students whom these changes will be tested upon, and playing the role of guinea-pig in an educational experiment is not something that I have opted in for. What about the changes that we feel are needed? I want change based upon our ideas, and what we feel is important.

Currently in my first year of GCSEs, I have spent the past year or so learning about how to answer exam questions in varying subjects, and how to twist my words in order to achieve the maximum amount of marks. I have been studying exam questions and answers - not subject knowledge. Simply how to use the necessary knowledge to score points, and impress the examiner. It seems obvious that an overall subject knowledge should be more valued than an ability to write in a certain style that will win you the most marks.So why is it so important that we score maximum points on these exams? Because they’re all we’ve got; there’s no second chance, and with the possible eradication of resits looming over us, things are only getting worse. So answer me this: are linear exams really the way forward?

Whilst exams are suited to the abilities of some students, there are hundreds of others that will most likely struggle to remember two-years worth of knowledge in 10 different subjects, and then be able to successfully transfer all of this information into multiple pieces of writing all whilst bearing the weight of exam pressure. As well as that, all of this takes place over the space of around two weeks. Seem reasonable? Some students will be able to cope with this, but others can’t, and it isn’t fair to assume that they are less intelligent because of this. As a student myself, and as a member of society, I know many people who struggle or have struggled with exams, but are no less intelligent or insightful. What if a student has an excellent knowledge of history but is not confident enough in English skills to be able to fully portray their knowledge in a piece of writing? It hardly seems fair to suggest that this student is less intelligent just because they are less able in their writing skills. This is just one example of a situation that really emphasises the fact that all-linear exams are not a fair way of determining the grades of all students, and should certainly not be the only form of examination.

It is fully understood that exams are not supposed to be easy, and that they should test a student’s ability. But as well as this, they should be fair and provide opportunities for students to showcase all sorts of knowledge and ability - not just test a pupil’s ability to answer exam-style questions. Linear exams largely exclude the possibility for expression and creativity, factors that are highly valued in later life, and certainly seem more important than the ability to answer an exam question without losing marks. The format of these exams also means that if a student is having a bad day then they are lost; there is no flexibility. What if the hamster dies the night before my physics exam and I’m too stricken with grief to revise? What if the neighbours had a party & I was kept awake all night before my economics exam? There are so few assessments throughout the year that students simply can’t afford to have a bad day.

Aside from this, what about the other vital life-skills that we aren’t tested on? There are many A* students that can successfully solve linear equations but may be unable to uphold a topical conversation or act responsibly in a dangerous situation. Linear exams prevent the possibility of expression and leave no room for students to showcase other talents and abilities. Even without linear exams, we are not tested on many valuable life skills and talents that may therefore be missed by the current exam system.

As a student studying in the midst of all of various educational reforms, I have firsthand experience of the problems with the current exam system. Does Mr Gove have this? No he does not. Whilst experienced ministers such as himself have every right to make decisions about education, I see no reason why students and teachers shouldn’t have more say in the matter. After all, we’re the ones that really know what we’re talking about.