Just read the news headlines and the biggie is Cameron pledging to complete 500 more free schools if re-elected. 

Strange one this as so far the free school program has turned into what everyone predicted, a farce. Failure after failure. Ego's thinking they can run their own school without any prior knowledge.

Don't get me wrong some have worked. 

Local Education Authorities are, in general, poor. Surely the money should have been better spent clearing house at the LEA's so they offered the service they were designed for which was to manage and produce good schooling for all, regardless of background...

David Cameron says he wants to create 500 more free schools in the next parliament.

The Prime Minister will suggest at a speech in London later today that the controversial programme has been a great success, amid criticism from teachers' unions and the Labour Party.

"If you vote Conservative, you will see the continuation of the free schools programme at the rate you’ve seen in the last three years," he will say.

More than 400 free schools have been approved since 2010

"That means, over the next parliament, we hope to open at least 500 new free schools resulting in 270,000 new school places."

Under the free schools scheme parents and teachers can set up and design their own schools.

Play video "Nick Clegg Takes On Free Schools"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: Nick Clegg Takes On Free Schools

One institution expecting approval will be based at a "boxing boot camp" in Hackney which will use daily training sessions in the ring to help children deal with their anger.

Mr Cameron will also announce the approval of 49 new free schools, as a report by the right-wing think tank Policy Exchange concludes the innovation is driving up standards at primary and secondary level.

Free schools have been the big education experiment of this government so it is no surprise that, with an election coming, the Conservatives conclude it has been a huge success.

More than 400 have been approved since 2010 creating more than 230,000 places. According to Policy Exchange nearly three quarters (72%) of all open or approved mainstream free schools are in areas with a projected lack of places in the future.

But critics say the schools are unaccountable and the initial findings do not warrant expanding the programme.

Henry Stewart from the Local Schools Network said: "It you look at the data for both primaries and secondary schools free schools don’t have any effect on the other schools in the area, but what they have done is they’ve used up a huge amount of resource.

"Some £1.7bn is the capital spend on free schools to date and the National Audit Office found that 52% of free school places are in areas that don’t need new places."

Play video "2012: Govt Defends Free Schools"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: 2012: Govt Defends Free Schools

The Policy Exchange report also finds that free schools are not dominated by the middle class and are eight times more likely to be located in the most deprived areas of England than the most affluent.

Jonathan Simons, head of education at Policy Exchange, said: "Policymakers should make decisions based on evidence and the evidence clearly shows that free schools drive up standards of nearby schools in the local community, particularly the ones which are lower performing.

"Restricting new free schools solely to areas of basic need will deprive pupils - especially in some of the poorest performing schools - from achieving better results."

But Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said: "The Tory plan is failing young people and their parents, with a third of all free schools found to be under-performing.

"Instead of focusing on the desperate need for more primary school places across the country and on spreading innovation right across the school system, David Cameron's government has spent at least Â£241m on free schools in areas that already have enough school places.

"The result is many more children forced into crowded classrooms - a 200% increase in the number of infants taught in classes of more than 30."

Seriously good film which I can highly recommend if you like your movies to have a touch of realism and gripping drama in them.

Shows all sides of the conflict in their true light reflecting the way Belfast was in 71.

I majored in the Irish Conflict and the Falls Road and the Shankill Road were definitely represented correctly in the film in so much as the feel of the place etc...but it does stretch the boundaries where he goes from one area to the next without meeting an RUC or army patrol.

From friends who lived there at the time of the troubles they've said to me this is so far the best representation of life back then. It's a film that would have been too difficult for both the UK and Ireland to accept even 20 years ago, but they do use creative license with the lack of patrols. As one older gent told me when I started getting interested in the Falls/Shankill Road divide "you couldn't even fart without a patrol looking in your direction. When things happened they were planned to happen as a lot was required to draw the patrols into decoys so what ever needed doing could be done."

I really enjoyed the film and would highly recommend it.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-BaKfl1Ms4

Here's the trailer for a quality program that i've been following for the past few years. This is the trailer for season 1 and it's just finished season 5 so it is a runner. (which will surprise after watching the first season !!) but it's well worth watching if you like to follow a group of people. Strange thing is the initial reaction is what a load of plonkers, but the more you watch the more you want them all to succeed in one way or another. It has become essential viewing every time the new season comes around.

If you get a chance watch the first episodes, but stick with it.

Anyone else seen it before? Are you a Todd or Parker fan?

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXzlMT_RroY

Without opening up a hornets nest of political views...

Should the leaders debates be a major part of the election? 

Is David Cameron right or badly wrong on his 1 debate with every leader under the sun idea?

Did the debates give you pause for thought in the last general election?

What are your thoughts?

Shaun Derry's mentioned it in one of his press talks, it's also been rumoured by the BBC.

>https://twitter.com/Official_NCFC/status/573493151798812672

I was looking forward to him keeping back, with the possibility of him returning to the ranks as a striker (where he should be in my opinion). I was very optimistic that he would partner Bajner well or at least be able to impact games as a sub. Yet he seems to have a bit of bad luck, perhaps a blessing that he will return fresh with Spencer.

http://www.prideofnottingham.co.uk/home/media/meet-ronan-murray-r485

Notts went to second placed Chesterfield this morning with Notts in third place and the prospect of a cracking football match on a sunny morning.

Right from the start the two teams were evenly match taking turns to attack the others' goal.

After 25 minutes Notts suffered a major blow when centre-back Rhys Myers was sent off for committing a foul when being 'last man' before the striker was through on goal.  From the resulting free kick Chesterfield scored with a shot right into the bottom corner of the net.  Jordan Richards was moved from midfield into the central defensive position.

1-0 was the half-time score and it was clear from the discussions of the Notts staff and the Chesterfield coaching staff that the Notts coaching staff were very unhappy with the sending off.

Early in the second half Notts went 2-0 down.  The young Pies were working hard but were missing Jordan's influence in midfield.  On 65 minutes Notts went 3-0 down and it got worse with ten minutes to go when, with all three Notts subs already on the pitch Colby Bishop went off with what looked like a knee injury.  He did return for the last few minutes to prevent Notts playing with only nine players but he was clearly injured.

What had been an even and well contested game changed in favour of Chesterfield with the sending off of Rhys Myers.  While Jordan did a good job at the back, he was badly missed in midfield.

Next week it's Chesterfield at home - I think all involved today would enjoy a win.

There seems to be an attitude surrounding Notts that we can't win, or even draw, against the better sides in this division. This all stems from Shaun Derry's comments pre and post games.

What is more worrying, is not only we can't get points from better teams, we can't even give them a game.

Based on this attitude, Notts following fixtures will go as follows;

When are the FA & the Football League get a grip of this club for it's fans behaviour?

Yesterdays behaviour has left someone fighting for their life, at what point will the football authorities actually get a grip  and make Jez Moxey actually do something to stop their fans acting this way??

Given that this occurs at every Wolves home match (violence towards opposing fans) surely they should be firstly made to play their remaining games at the home of all their opponents with no Wolves fans allowed to attend and also threatened with demotion to the Conference if this ever happens again.

Not only would that hit them in terms of away advantage but it would also hit them for the following season in terms of the FFP.

They didn't do anything after our fans were attacked and they won't do anything again unless they are severely punished.

Oh dear. What a surprise the old guard looking out for the old guard. And just for political impartiality, the article mentions the Liberal Democrats and their esteemed colleague David Steel.

Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher knew about politicians sexually abusing children - but failed to act against them, an MP has told Sky News.

Simon Danczuk, who exposed Sir Cyril Smith as a prolific child abuser, said: "There is no doubt about it now, from what we know, that she turned a blind eye to people who were quite clearly paedophiles. That is absolutely clear.

"It is a real stain on Margaret Thatcher's legacy and I don't get any pleasure from saying that, but she turned a blind eye to it."

The Rochdale MP also claimed the Government is refusing to publish at least four other files on historic child abuse because it was worried about what information may come out before May's General Election.

He added: "(The Cabinet Office) have resisted publishing these documents for over 12 months - that's not acceptable.

Smith was not charged during his lifetime

"They refused to tell the public who nominated Cyril Smith for a knighthood. A journalist managed to get that out of them after going to the Information Commissioner. It was indeed David Steel.

"And we now know they are resisting publishing at least four other files relating to historic child sexual abuse.

Play video "'Cabinet Files Should Be Published'"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: 'Cabinet Files Should Be Published'

"We have to ask the question: Is the Cabinet Office fit for purpose?"

Asked whether Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg were colluding in a "cover-up", he said: "You can't really reach any other conclusion, can you.

"Cameron has spoken on this issue and said we'll leave no stone unturned. But his lack of action says otherwise.

"Nick Clegg has failed continually to really put any action in place. He's the Deputy Prime Minister. David Cameron is the Prime Minister.

"They are at the top of government. The buck stops with them. Why aren't they calling for all these documents to be published? Why aren't they insisting on more action?

"The reality of it is, this is the truth of the matter, we are approaching the General Election. This isn't party political, but they are concerned about what information is going to come out before the General Election, that's the truth of it.

"And the second point is they're more concerned about protecting legacies - the legacies of previous politicians. That's just not acceptable. We need less polishing of halos and more lifting of stones."

Play video "2014: 'Cover-Up' To Be Investigated"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: 2014: 'Cover-Up' To Be Investigated

The Cabinet Office has denied trying to cover up information about Downing Street's knowledge of Smith's abuse of young boys before he was knighted.

Documents show Mrs Thatcher was made aware of the claims about the Liberal MP before he was handed the honour in 1988.

The 19-page dossier of information on the decision to give Smith the knighthood contains several letters, including an undated one from a Political Honours Scrutiny Committee member to the then prime minister.

In the letter, marked secret, Lord Shackleton said police investigated Smith in 1970 for "indecent assault against teenage boys" between 1961 and 1966.

But, the letter noted, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided "there was no reasonable prospect of conviction".

The letter to Mrs Thatcher said the case was reported in the Rochdale Alternative Press and Private Eye, adding: "One may regret this kind of press reporting but it could be revived if an award to Mr Smith were made."

Lord Shackleton also said it would be "slightly unfortunate" if this "episode" stopped Smith, who died aged 82 in 2010, receiving the knighthood.

Play video "2012: 'Smith Abused Me As A Child'"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: 2012: 'Smith Abused Me As A Child'

But he added: "We felt it right to warn the honours system would be at some risk if the award were to be made and announced."

The documents were released to the Mail on Sunday following repeated demands for disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act since April last year.

The documents were only made public on Friday after an intervention by the Information Commissioner, the paper said.

Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "Those Cabinet files, in my view, should without doubt be published.

"We have to get to the bottom of this, high or low, it doesn't matter. Wherever we find it, we have to root out sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation."

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "There is no cover-up nor was the Cabinet Office forced to release this information by the Information Commissioner.

"This is a sensitive and complex case and it is right that we considered advice from a range of officials. After considering the advice, the Cabinet Office decided to disclose information."

This Saturday's Fixtures:

Huddersfield Town v Rotherham United

Ipswich Town v Brentford

Coventry City v Port Vale

Milton Keynes Dons v Preston North End

AFC Wimbledon v York City

Southend United v Wycombe Wanderers

Don't forget there's the FA Cup prediction league this weekend too

So, we'll either go into this game expecting them to slaughter us (which I honestly don't think will happen myself) or we will give them a semi decent game, if we played well here and got a decent result I think it should send a much more positive message. I expect the game to actually be much closer than what it was at Meadow Lane - I am confident having more creativity in midfield and fire power upfront will actually aid us in getting anything from the game.

As always it will probably depend on whoever scores first, I just hope if we do - We don't push for a second or sit back, as either way it's likely to lead to us encountering problems.

Whilst, I hope the players re-watch the home highlights - I sort of think they'll end up shouting at the screen.

We just need to block, win back the ball and do whatever we can (bar fouling them) in order to stop them running at us.

By far the better team I have seen all season, so there is that chance we could be in for a repeat but I think we will have learned from that. I'm going to be brave and say I think we'll actually lead this game, though that doesn't mean I think we will win. My heart and head tells me that this one may finish 2-2, so I'm going for that.

I wonder what @medievalmickey thinks.

What about you? What do think the score will be? What are your concerns and how do you think the game will go?

I was thinking about this last night. Realistically 6th place is the best we can hope for at this stage but is it possible?

Arguments for:

- The addition of JCR and McCourt have given us an attacking edge that has been lacking.

- Leroy Lita is a proven goalscorer.

- Bajner could benefit from playing with Lita.

- The defence seems to have tightened up.

- We have to play most of the teams ahead of us.

Arguments against:

- We have to go from 18th to 6th in 13 games. That's asking too much.

- Our home form.

- 34 goals in 33 games .

- Lita is not the player he was.

- Any injury to our first 11 would hurt us as we don't have strength in depth.

Thoughts?

Caution - this is deep!

For no particular reason I've been mulling over this question a lot over the last couple of days ... what actually happens to us when we shuffle off this mortal coil?

I'd probably define myself as an agnostic leaning towards atheism. I regard the tales in the holy books as just that, tales, which were written to fill the gaps in scientific knowledge at that time. They've given a lot of people peace and comfort, but have also been exploited, resulting in oppression and suffering. I just don't think it's likely that a magical being in the sky created us all - where did He then come from?

All the evidence around us points to everything having a beginning and an end. This counts out reincarnation for me. Right now, more humans are alive than ever before - so new humans are being created to keep the numbers growing. Now if something new comes into being, for me it's logical that it also eventually ceases to exist. Otherwise, when the Earth is swallowed up by the sun, where would all those souls go? To another planet? How?

The idea that you simply don't exist any more and have no form of consciousness when you die is unappealing and utterly unfathomable to the human brain, but I think it is most likely. But there are doubts in my mind. I think ghosts could well exist. I remember my sister claiming to see an old woman holding a baby in her room, and then giving an exact description of one of our relatives who died when she was a small child (and who looked very distinctive). My sister could not possibly have known about the relative as she died decades before she was born and is never spoken about (until she saw the "ghost" we never even knew she existed). I know it sounds fanciful, but that planted seeds of doubt in my mind. Was it a ghost? Or has she just inherited memories somehow?

Anyway, those are my thoughts. What do you all reckon?

We were baby sitting at our sons house the other day and decided to nip to the chippy for our supper when the kids had gone to bed. The fish were like whales and the two portions of chips were enormous, we only managed one portion and threw the other away, what a waste why don't chippies make the portions smaller and cheaper I'm sure one person could never eat a whole portion.

In future we will just get the fish and do our own oven chips (we love Aunt Bessie's frozen oven chips).

I have a IPhone 6, I'm not on a contract as I prefer avoiding that.

What about you?

I had my concerns about Fleetwood, though I am confused and unsure how we will do against Port Vale. It's a tough game to call because both sides are unpredictable, however on paper and form it would obviously sway in favour of the away team and of course we do ourselves no favours when we play at Meadow Lane.

Some fans might see this as an easy game to write off, however I hope people turn up.

Despite the mistakes Derry is and has made, he's human and I do feel we should keep in mind that he is still inexperienced when it comes to him as a manager. I just hope he's learned that a lone striker is negative and that it doesn't work, I hope Garry Thompson plays upfront because that would make me think we have some chance of scoring.

My brothers predicted a narrow 1-0, I certainly hope so.

I think the game will be quite tight, so mistakes have to be avoidable and concentration levels kept high.

My gut feeling is that the game will see goals, yet I do feel Notts can respond here. My score prediction will be 2-1, I don't have much hopes on the new winger being a shinning light but if he scores it would make me happy.

What do you think about the game? Score predictions?

This picture was taken by @Dan at Colchester, it's not me but obviously someone else likes to remain an international man of mystery.

Winger signed on loan from Brighton till end of season. On the bench at Fleetwood.

Anyone know of him? Seen him play?

For those who haven't seen it here is the picture of the Pride of Nottingham gathering taken at the Port Vale match.

From left to right @Cobby @hissingdwarf @notts-joe @super_pie @Tonyhateley @cotton13 @super_ram and @PTID1862

Great picture of a great day.

Tuesday night's fixtures:

AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Watford v Fulham

Barnsley v Coventry City

Preston North End v Doncaster Rovers

Bury v Luton Town

Oxford United v Morecambe

... if we lose tonight?

We've lost something like 7 out of our last 8 at home, five of our last 6 overall, and a defeat at Colchester would be our fourth consecutive defeat. To put it into perspective:

Our record on 25 October: Played 12, W7 D5 L2 - points 26, or 2.2 per game

Our record since then: Played 18, W3 D3 L12 - points 12, or 0.6 per game

Of course we were never going to keep up our early season form, we had quite a few fortunate results. However, we have had clear relegation form over nearly half a season, and if we continue this form over the remaining 14 games we will be relegated on 47 points.

I don't want to see SD go, I want to see him turn it around. However, managers have been dismissed for less, and if we lose tonight I wouldn't be surprised to see him handed his P45.

What do you think?

Welcome to @nightOWL I hope you enjoy being a part of our growing community, come and say hello we don't bite.

What are your favourite deserts/puddings? Do they differ at home compared to restaurants? My my main pudding is Apple Pie! You can't beat it. Ice Cream or Custard, its just nice!

Desert good old Knickerblocker Glory!

I hope @notts-joe doesn't mind me starting this topic. He's late

A real 6 pointer. We could be in the drop zone if we lose and other results don't go our way. That's a sobering thought. A win would give us some much needed breathing space.

Colchester do concede goals. 55 in 33 matches. They are inconsistent. They beat Bristol City at home recently which was a fantastic result but followed it up with a defeat at Doncaster. They have lost 17 games, 3 more than us.

Notts have won the last 6 meetings between the clubs. That's an impressive record. In fact, we have only lost 14 out of 40 games against them.

I don't think we'll lose this one. 2-2 draw. McCourt and JCR.