News and Updates

I was at the launch of the DfE's new sustainability and climate change strategy last night at London's NHM.  I stood for 2 hours under the bones of the blue whale honing my canapé-attracting skills.  It's a splendid venue as...

Here's my first reaction to the newly announced DfE strategy on Sustainability and Climate Change that will be launched later today. It is clear that DfE has been storing up the GCSE natural history to be part of the strategy....

The Times reports this morning that the DfE will announce on Thursday that a GCSE in Natural History is to go ahead.  This will take place at the launch of the DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy on Thursday.  The...

Do you have a preferred font for your computer use?  I have two.  One is Gill Sans which I use for emailing.  I've done this for some time now liking its clarity and crispness (for want of a better description).  But should...

In the sixth form (years 12 & 13 in new money) that I went to there was a general studies [GS] programme with an exam at the end.  This was run by the Northern Universities Joint Matriculation Board (JMB) –...

You'll recall that PJ O'Rourke died in the New Year.  I've not read much O'Rourke which I feel I ought to rectify given that he was witty, outspoken, insightful and irreverent. Take this from Peace Kills: “America is not a...

The government's valiant attempts last year to build houses on all the country's golf courses in order to solve the housing crisis were eventually stymied in parliament by the self-interest of an über-affluent and over-leisured minority who argued successfully for...

April 21st sees the launch of the DfE's Sustainability and Climate Change strategy.  This is an actual event at London's Natural History Museum.  The S of S will be talking, and I've had an invite.  What a treat; my train...

The Economist reports that Egypt spends around $6bn a year subsidising food for the poorest people in its ~100m population.  $2.9bn of this is used to subsidise the staple aish baladi bread.  The magazine notes that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent commodity...

I know that at least some people are wondering why the World Environmental Education Congress took the decision to hold the 2024 WEEC meeting in Abu Dhabi.  I don't know the criteria that are used to make such venue decisions, but, bearing...