At the chalkface
News
Can Little Kevin CoPE?
“Do we ‘ave to do this, sir?” already rather a lot of that down the
Students support silver surfers
what? Attend school? well, local cop shop.
not quite. Still, I must look for the posi-
“I’m afraid so!” tives. I feel like Rafa the Gaffa after
I’m sitting with the legend another Arshavin goal. Positives?
by Greg Lewis
that is Little Kevin – or LK. I’m we must expunge his more illustri-
in the mode pastoral. He’s in the ous frolics – as Father Christmas Students on the welsh Baccalaureate
mode bored senseless. we’re fill- in the foyer, with Mr Donut in the are helping older people to become
ing in something called CoPe pond, and the recent storming of “silver surfers” by teaching them
– a “Certificate of Personal the Cardinal Richelieu oratory. basic computer and internet skills.
effectiveness”. who he? Another “You don’t make it easy!” Sixteen students from Ysgol y
modern wheeze. “I’ve gone straight!” Gader in Dolgellau, north wales,
Rearrange the above Pigs fly over the north have been running weekly courses
in any order. Go on! It’s playground. in conjunction with Age Concern
still gibberish. we move on to for a group of 10 learners aged 70
“why are we doing this week’s modules. and over.
this?” Indeed. “Citizenship and commu- The course forms part of the
He said the same nity.” A dodgy terrain. community participation element
about the recent “Success “I help the homeless of the welsh Baccalaureate for the
for Life” workshop, all part down the Grove!” students.
of the rather relentless “You don’t though, Delyth Griffiths, welsh
“Raising Aspirations” Kevin.” “Can’t we just lie?” Baccalaureate co-ordinator at the
pogrom – full of words we move on: “work- school, said the computer course,
like “enhance” and Related Learning and which started in September, has
“empower”. You know enterprise.” This is more like been a huge success.
the stuff. it. enterprise? Free market ini- “The students have helped the
“It will reward you for tiative? LK? He the man! elderly visitors with beginner-level
being a ‘rounded’ person.” LK LK can sell you anything IT skills such as word, Paint, and
is already pretty rounded, what down the Portobello Market. internet use, useful tools which will
with the pumping iron. Fruit, veg, brollies, socks, “new” help them keep in touch with family
“It accredits extra-curricular condoms, True Blood boxsets and, and friends and find information
achievement.” “Is that bunking?” lately, “organic ‘erb T Leaves”. online.
“well, not quite.” Business acumen? Initiative? “Facilitating these groups
LK has always been more Suss? The boy is at the cutting has really helped the students to
personally effective outside the edge of post-industrial capitalism. develop, and they have become
classroom. He’s 15 and has a PhD A future captain of industry. His noticeably more confident and Nevertoolate:‘Silversurfer’MarionOwengetshelpfromMeganJones,astudentat
in street wisdom. phone rings. independent as a result of the added YsgolyGaderinnorthWaleswhoisstudyingfortheWelshBaccalaureate
“And it might help you get “I’m out of here, sir! Gotta help responsibility.”
you a job!” And it converts into old gits across the road!” Little He continued: “They have also skills with traditional learnt and responsibility. Helping out the education institutions and employers
GCSes! And finesses our figures, Kevin winks and tootles off in a learnt a great deal about how to subjects.” community with activities such for the way it develops students into
bounces us up league tables, and rather personally effective manner. bridge the age gap with patience Megan Jones, one of the students as the IT lessons has given me confident, well-rounded individuals
makes the government look good. I fill things in. Life Skills? A*! and understanding. who took part in the scheme, added: important commitments and made with a broad range of skills needed
“It’s holistic, it’s...” “Rubbish!” “The rounded approach “Getting involved in the welsh me more patient and responsible as for higher education or the world
says the muscled scamp. • Ian Whitwham is a former to education that the welsh Baccalaureate qualification has not a person.” of work.”
There is that. whatever. we teacher. A book of his best ever Baccalaureate Qualification only meant that I will achieve extra welsh education minister, The Baccalaureate combines
must put together a portfolio. A columns is out now. For details, provides really helps prepare academic credits equivalent to three Leighton Andrews, said: “The personal development skills with
“portfolio of evidence”. There’s email editor@sec-ed.co.uk students for the rest of their lives, GCSes, but has also helped me to welsh Baccalaureate is increasingly existing qualifications such as
combining practical transferable appreciate the meaning of discipline being recognised by both higher A levels, NVQs and GCSes.
16 SecEd • January 14 2010
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