Or alternatively login using...
Login or register using your Twitter account:
By clicking "Register" you are agree to the Yoosk Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Home » Leader Index » Fabian Hamilton
Ask questions, see replies, give feedback.
Take a look at the current scores then add your own.
Each time you click your rating will be added to the votes of your fellow Yooskers.
Mr Hamilton, With recent rumours about GCSE's being scrapped and the over-testing of children being criticised in general, what is the future for testing in schools in the UK?
Submitted by: eburton | 13 votes for this..
0 comments | Topic: Education |
I think we will have 'end of secondary school' tests for the foreseeable future. Employers and other education institutions need some objective information about the diligence and competency of the people... Show more »I think we will have 'end of secondary school' tests for the foreseeable future. Employers and other education institutions need some objective information about the diligence and competency of the people applying to them. Young people themselves need goals towards which they can work. I also think we need reliable measurement at the end of the primary stage but I am not persuaded of relying solely on teacher assessment. For standards to be universal teacher assessment would have to be closely moderated and that is very expensive and would take out of the classroom many hours of teachers time. My broad brush solution is for the Key Stage 2 tests to continue but for them to be marked by the teachers in the schools as part of a revised teachers' contract. That process would need checking but at least pupils would be sitting the same papers. I would not allow any repeat testing to be done by secondary schools on pupils as soon as they are admitted. I am also worried about the abolition of KS3 SATs for pupils aged 14. Secondary years are precious and we must be sure that schools intervene early if pupils fall behind. I am not sure we can yet rely on idiosyncratic school assessment methods in all cases to spot, in time, pupils who are not making expected progress. Show less »
Wouldnt Labour be better off admitting now to the tough decisions that will need to be taken over public spending rather than trying to create an artificial argument over Labour spending vs Tory cuts?... Show more »Wouldnt Labour be better off admitting now to the tough decisions that will need to be taken over public spending rather than trying to create an artificial argument over Labour spending vs Tory cuts? Does Gordon Brown not realise that the public can see through this and that we frankly feel insulted about the way he is trying to basically mis-lead us over the issue of spending? Show less »
Submitted by: alicia | 6 votes for this..
0 comments | Topic: Politics |
I do not think Labour has a problem talking frankly about public expenditure. We all know the borrowing to stave off extreme recession and rescue the banks will have to be paid back. I believe that ... Show more » I do not think Labour has a problem talking frankly about public expenditure. We all know the borrowing to stave off extreme recession and rescue the banks will have to be paid back. I believe that our government measures means that tax revenues will be restored more quickly than if we had slashed the economy as the Conservatives seem to suggest should have been done. The skill will be in paying back the national debt at rates that do not then dent the recovering economy. Capital spending undertaken earlier than planned as part of the strategy clearly will mean that less is to follow. The arguments about figures is essentially a Conservative smokescreen. At the back of it all is their philosophy of a small ie. cheap state and that means less central spending on schools, health, welfare, transport, environment - you name it - they will not want to fund it! If elected, under cover of paying back the debt quickly, they would be making the small state they seek. It does not bear thinking about and I have no evidence that the British people, even many Conservative voters, really want it. Show less »
Is Leeds in danger of becoming over-reliant on its huge student population to drive the Leeds economy and growth and seeing local residents concerns becoming marginalised?
Submitted by: naomi1 | 8 votes for this..
I am sorry I do not have any figures to help me consider this question. There is no doubt about the value to the Leeds economy of the education institutions. If there are local issues, perhaps in former... Show more »I am sorry I do not have any figures to help me consider this question. There is no doubt about the value to the Leeds economy of the education institutions. If there are local issues, perhaps in former student areas that are now less popular, I think there will be local solutions for them. Show less »
In relation to your role on the Foreign Affairs Committee: Are we foolish not to learn the lesson of history from the Soviets time in Afganistan, who with twenty times the amount of troops we currently... Show more »In relation to your role on the Foreign Affairs Committee: Are we foolish not to learn the lesson of history from the Soviets time in Afganistan, who with twenty times the amount of troops we currently have in the region still couldnt complete a successful campaign in Afganistan? What is our exit strategy for the conflict, because I cant seem to see one? Show less »
Submitted by: stevenb | 8 votes for this..
There are some differences with the position of the Soviets in that Russia was then seeking to maintain a non democratic Communist government in power in country on its borders for ideological reasons.... Show more »There are some differences with the position of the Soviets in that Russia was then seeking to maintain a non democratic Communist government in power in country on its borders for ideological reasons. We are in Afghanistan to fight terrorism. The geographic isolation of the country with a tribal population having very conservative social traditions has proved an ideal base for fundamentalists to exploit and we have to prevent that in order to protect our own country, its people and its values. I cannot see an exit strategy either at present but it is a war we must win. There were no exit strategies for the war against Hitler - we had to fight on. Show less »
With the proposed Leeds tram system dead in the water, what now are the plans to ease Leeds' congestion problems?
Submitted by: LS6Owen | 19 votes for this..
0 comments | Topic: Local Issues |
As I understand the position, Metro are now studying trolleybus solution. For me this a second best option but better than tinkering with existing bus routes or fancy bus bodies. Trolleybuses will at... Show more »As I understand the position, Metro are now studying trolleybus solution. For me this a second best option but better than tinkering with existing bus routes or fancy bus bodies. Trolleybuses will at least run on dedicated track which will offer some new transport corridors and offer the psychological security that you are waiting in the right place. I think they will also make an environmental contribution reducing pollution and noise in the city centre. I just hope, politically, we do not 'bottle out' yet again about building a worthwhile and exciting transport solution. Show less »
116 answers and counting...
Public figures are opening up and replying to direct questions. Ask yours now.
To:
The question
Choose a topic
Your question has been sent to the selected public figure. What next?
You have not rated this figure before:
Do you have an audience who would like to engage with this or other public figures?