14-year-olds spared as SATs are scrapped

Like tests? If you don’t you  and think they are a nightmare, then will like this!

All Year 9 SATs are scrapped as the Government is stopping SATs for now. The Key Stage 2 SATs will stay although they may soon change their mind about this as they might be going into a new testing system for a single-level which may replace the Key Stage 2 tests.

Every year 1,2 million pupils sit 9.5million national curriculum test papers. This will mean the cutting down on tests in the school year by about a half. The results of the Key Stage 3 tests in English, Maths and Science were published but rarely used to compare in league because the GCSE scores were used.

FCSE for French

All of year 9 this year will be doing FCSE’s (Foundation Certificate in Secondary Education). This is the equivalent of a foundation level in your GCSE’s. It was set up last year by AQA and is in the first phase of testing. And we were lucky enough at St.Peters. The exam is greatly beneficial to all students, with only 1 unnamed student fail, a hand full of passes (C at GCSE) and the rest split between merits (B/A at GCSE) and distinction (A* at GCSE).

It was created as the examiners wished for a new modular test. A modular test means that at the end of every module you will do a test. At the end of all the modules you send over 3 of the tests for examination. This is your portfolio. In your portfolio  is a cassette and written work.

The test is not just for French. Although we are only using the french, it can also work in german, spanish and even more obscure languages like chinese. But, is this going to work or will we become lab rats? What do you think?

10 ways to save money

With the credit crunch looming here is 10 ways to save money which really do work!!!

1. Consider a pay as you go mobile phone.

2. Sell your clutter on eBay.

3.Don’t pay full price for theatre or theme park tickets go on last minute websites to get great deals!

4. Ask yourself do i really need this?

5.Use your library instead of buying books!

6.Buy clothes and presents in the sales.

7.Shop online.

8.Save up your spare change in a “money jar”.

9.Use coupons quickly so they don’t get lost or expire!

10.Make your own cards and wrapping paper!

Recipe to make Pumpkin Ice Cream

Here is a great recipe that you should try on Hallaween:

• 1 3/4 cups pumpkin purée (1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée)
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of salt
• 2 Tbsp brandy (optional)

Credit Crunch

So the Credit Crunch is affecting banks, business and everything in between. So how will this affect you? Well, Christmas is coming (yes, only about 2 1/2 months) but the crunch has caused well over 20,000 people to be fired when Lloyds and HBOS merged. And this is just the bare minimum. Just a couple of days ago 2 more companies fell, both doing baby products. Even more jobs were lost. This loss of jobs will mean that some Christmas shopping will be cut short. Well, that makes the crunch not sound very fun when your Christmas present pile gets cut short.

Secondly you will probably been told to cycle to places or walk to the shop. Hey it’s good exercise and it also saves money. People aren’t changing habits for the environment. People are changing for money. Also people are turning off the lights and changing entertainment methods (Books for TV) just for money.

So the crunch is terrible for money, but at least its doing some good for the environment. But bad outweighs good, and bail outs are happening everywhere. I might be young but i have a savings account with Bradford and Bingley, which recently lost its hats. And that is just one. The list just keeps growing. Chances are that by the time I get home tonight another bank or savings account will of bit the dust.

So how did it start. Probably well before you were born, as it has been happening for quite a while. One thing is how the American banks had been giving out money without checking if the person had a steady income. And not everyone has. All this means that people aren’t repaying what they owe, and the banks suffer. The other main thing is how we in Britain took advantage of the house price rise. As there was a 3 year deal allowing you to pay less of your mortgage for the 1st 3 years, but you have to keep that mortgage for 6 years or pay a penalty. But since the house prices were going up people would sell there house at the end of the 3rd year. the price rise was so high that they could pay the penalty and still make a profit. This caused the stock price to fall.