Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

'Yes', Alan, on what grounds? Actually, I could be quite offended by your response..Are you implying that Chichester is rubbish and unworthy of Josh? If so, what is your evidence?

I didn't mean that Josh shouldn't go to Chichester, just that his world view will probably change a lot in his gap year, particulalrly with the walk he is doing. My niece is from southend by the way, not Leicester. And does not live at home.

englishangel wrote:My niece was going to go to de Montfort after a gap year working in Africa, then took a second year and went back to Africa. She is now at Uni. in London, and from her Facebook pics loving every minute of it.

I went to de Montfort

I know, so did Ben.

My niece was going to do drama to teach, but is now at the Central School of Speech and Drama to become an actress, she looks scarily like a young Cherie Blair. I would post a picture of her to askl what you think but photobucket is down for maintenance at the moment.

For English Angel --- If your Niece (Spelling ? I ain't got none !) is going to Africa for another year, it is my belief that she will have done 5 years extra of "Experience"
I suppose that she is too young to be called an "Old Africa Hand" but I expect she will agree that there is no substitute for seeing and experiencing the basic living conditions of the "Third World". she has my admiration !

englishangel wrote:My niece was going to do drama to teach, but is now at the Central School of Speech and Drama to become an actress, she looks scarily like a young Cherie Blair.

Whatever comes of it, I'm sure she will have a great time at drama school and a degree to boot, and if her professional acting ambitions don't pan out, she will always have the teaching option to fall back on. Simply to get to one of the top drama schools is an achievement in itself, as there are hundreds of applications for each available place. I think that, like going to CH, a drama course has many 'unseen' benefits. I'm not sure looking like Cherie Blair will be a huge advantage , but I genuinely wish her the very best of luck. It's a tough industry!

Eldest Grand-Daughter, now 17 and pushing 18 came out of secondary school with fantastic GCSE's, nearly all 'A's and is now at college doing a 2/3 year course with exams that, (if passed) equate to the necessary qualifications, (A's), to go to uni for a degree in child-care.

Problem: It'd cost her approximately £15,000 to qualify and she/her parents can't afford it, so she's already making the decision to take the exams, then seek work.

And people sometimes wonder why I despare at the Country I love !!!

JR - if your granddaughter gets into employment, she could be sponsored by her employers to do a Foundation Degree in Childcare or something relevant (we run two Childhood-related ones here at Chichester). FD's are workplace based, with the academic element overseen by a local education provider. If she were to do that, it would take her two thirds of the way to an Honours(or Ordinary) degree and if she is good at her job the employers may even sponsor her for that as well.
I wish her well!

Our local FE college started Foundation Degrees a few years ago, and they have proved very popular. I don't know how many people go to Plymouth to do a 3rd year for a full degree, but I think it would be a fair number.
Back in the "good" old days, many employers would allow day release for higher ed. provided you also went to evening classes. I worked with one man whose children wondered about the strange man who was at home at weekends! It was well worth it in the end, though.

Thank-you Ladies !

I'll certainly discuss this option with daughter and grand-daughter, hopefully this weekend before I go into hospital for surgery !

SURGERY ...as an aside, whatever it is for I wish you well.

Josh... as you know, I went to Exeter and it is a fantastic place... Mrs Plum also read Theology there... Don't discount it - go to an open day at least!

englishangel wrote:SURGERY ...as an aside, whatever it is for I wish you well.

Severe Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand which has rapidly got worse over the last three months. Skin grafting after the operation is also required, so I don't want a repeat of my last operation, (in a different hospital), which resulted in MRSA !

I hope it all goes well. We will miss you.

I should be 'in' and 'out' in 24/36 hours. It's the loss of the use of the right hand for several weeks that is going to be awkward.

I have been taking lessons in lifting a pint glass with the left hand ! S0d the keyboard.