Latest news with #JoePerkins
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
British schools are teaching young boys to aim low
Some of the gardens which were on display at Chelsea Flower Show last week will now be en route to schools and colleges around the country. One of them will live at Uxbridge College, based in a London borough ranked one of the worst for education. I should know, given that I went to school in the area. The theme of the garden now zooming its way to Zone 6 is one of resilience, with seeds sprouting up through difficult conditions. Sponsored by the King's Trust, designer Joe Perkins has said his garden represents optimism and hope for the future. It's a great project, but let's not forget that Britain's state education system can be just as inhospitable for young people as the hardy soil these seeds are sprouting from. And it can be a particularly harsh place for boys. The challenges are widespread. For a start, boys are much more likely to have identified special educational needs than girls (22pc compared to 12pc, according to official data) and so many will not be getting enough social or educational support in large classrooms. Boys are also far less likely to go on to higher education (40pc of boys compared to 54pc of girls), particularly if they are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Only 13pc of white British boys eligible for free school meals go on to progress to higher education compared to 23pc of girls who are. Girls do better across all headline Department for Education (DfE) measures than boys, who are also nearly twice as likely as girls to be suspended and more than twice as likely to be permanently excluded. Even before high-school, the chasm is clear – by the end of reception, at around the age of five, just less than two thirds of boys are said to have a 'good level of development' compared to three quarters of girls. The problems are clear, yet still the issue persists. Generation after generation, British schools are teaching young boys to aim low. Boys' behaviour and influences are now 'a defining issue of our time', Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said in a speech last month. Her words echoed a similar sentiment from Sir Gareth Southgate who used to encourage his players to discuss their emotions during his time as England manager. One male high school teacher tells me he's trying to encourage male students in his school to open up with each other more and recognise that there's more than one way to be considered 'masculine'. He's concerned that a 'laddy, sports teacher stereotype still survives', mirroring a dynamic which replicates into wider society as boys struggle to find vulnerable but strong versions of masculinity. The absence of male role models in the classroom is an urgent issue – the proportion of secondary school teachers who are male is now at its lowest proportion since records began. As the Education Secretary has pointed out, just one in four teachers in UK schools are men (and only one in seven at nursery and primary school level). In her speech, Ms Phillipson highlighted that while the number of teachers in the country has increased by 28,000 since 2010, just 533 are male. That's a big problem given that there is evidence that pupils have higher learning outcomes when they have 'a teacher like me' in the classroom. The fix won't just be filling classrooms with more men, but making sure that those men show an active interest in inspiring those who might otherwise be left behind. The maths teacher I spoke to says one idea could be to 'actively involve more boys in some of the things we've shoved down into primary school – in play, to some extent, and socialising in a way which is not purely competitive and activity-based'. But where are all the male teachers? Experts have blamed the decline on men in the staffroom on a perception that teaching is a lower status job with low earning potential. I've certainly spoken to men who admit that they are tempted to sack off teaching for a better-paid life with shorter hours. And as men abandon the profession, boys are left searching for someone to look up to. This is a particular issue for boys growing up in single-parent households. Some 2.5 million children in Britain have no father figure at home, according to the Centre for Social Justice. Amid rising concerns that a lack of real-life male role models could lead boys towards toxic online influences (more than half of schools and colleges in England are concerned about online safety) there is a drastic need for change. A recent report published by the Higher Education Policy Institute said a 'boy-positive' learning environment needed to be developed in schools, warning that under-educated men could veer towards political extremes. Yet despite rising concerns about male under-achievement, ministers have rejected calls to introduce a minister for men and boys. There's no doubt that the UK's current epidemic of youth unemployment starts in the classroom. A report by charity Impetus showed last week that young people from underprivileged backgrounds are 66pc more likely not to be in education, employment or training (Neet) than average. The issues have grown far worse since the Covid crisis, with the number of 16-24-year-old male Neets up 40pc since Covid, compared to just 7pc among women. Our education system, and with it the culture of low expectations for male students, is in need of a shake-up. As British men give up on work faster than anywhere else in the richest parts of the world, the seeds being sown at school must not be ignored. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
British schools are teaching young boys to aim low
Some of the gardens which were on display at Chelsea Flower Show last week will now be en route to schools and colleges around the country. One of them will live at Uxbridge College, based in a London borough ranked one of the worst for education. I should know, given that I went to school in the area. The theme of the garden now zooming its way to Zone 6 is one of resilience, with seeds sprouting up through difficult conditions. Sponsored by the King's Trust, designer Joe Perkins has said his garden represents optimism and hope for the future. It's a great project, but let's not forget that Britain's state education system can be just as inhospitable for young people as the hardy soil these seeds are sprouting from. And it can be a particularly harsh place for boys. The challenges are widespread. For a start, boys are much more likely to have identified special educational needs than girls (22pc compared to 12pc, according to official data) and so many will not be getting enough social or educational support in large classrooms. Boys are also far less likely to go on to higher education (40pc of boys compared to 54pc of girls), particularly if they are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Only 13pc of white British boys eligible for free school meals go on to progress to higher education compared to 23pc of girls who are. Girls do better across all headline Department for Education (DfE) measures than boys, who are also nearly twice as likely as girls to be suspended and more than twice as likely to be permanently excluded. Even before high-school, the chasm is clear – by the end of reception, at around the age of five, just less than two thirds of boys are said to have a 'good level of development' compared to three quarters of girls. The problems are clear, yet still the issue persists. Generation after generation, British schools are teaching young boys to aim low. Boys' behaviour and influences are now 'a defining issue of our time', Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said in a speech last month. Her words echoed a similar sentiment from Sir Gareth Southgate who used to encourage his players to discuss their emotions during his time as England manager. One male high school teacher tells me he's trying to encourage male students in his school to open up with each other more and recognise that there's more than one way to be considered 'masculine'. He's concerned that a 'laddy, sports teacher stereotype still survives', mirroring a dynamic which replicates into wider society as boys struggle to find vulnerable but strong versions of masculinity. The absence of male role models in the classroom is an urgent issue – the proportion of secondary school teachers who are male is now at its lowest proportion since records began. As the Education Secretary has pointed out, just one in four teachers in UK schools are men (and only one in seven at nursery and primary school level). In her speech, Ms Phillipson highlighted that while the number of teachers in the country has increased by 28,000 since 2010, just 533 are male. That's a big problem given that there is evidence that pupils have higher learning outcomes when they have 'a teacher like me' in the classroom. The fix won't just be filling classrooms with more men, but making sure that those men show an active interest in inspiring those who might otherwise be left behind. The maths teacher I spoke to says one idea could be to 'actively involve more boys in some of the things we've shoved down into primary school – in play, to some extent, and socialising in a way which is not purely competitive and activity-based'. But where are all the male teachers? Experts have blamed the decline on men in the staffroom on a perception that teaching is a lower status job with low earning potential. I've certainly spoken to men who admit that they are tempted to sack off teaching for a better-paid life with shorter hours. And as men abandon the profession, boys are left searching for someone to look up to. This is a particular issue for boys growing up in single-parent households. Some 2.5 million children in Britain have no father figure at home, according to the Centre for Social Justice. Amid rising concerns that a lack of real-life male role models could lead boys towards toxic online influences (more than half of schools and colleges in England are concerned about online safety) there is a drastic need for change. A recent report published by the Higher Education Policy Institute said a 'boy-positive' learning environment needed to be developed in schools, warning that under-educated men could veer towards political extremes. Yet despite rising concerns about male under-achievement, ministers have rejected calls to introduce a minister for men and boys. There's no doubt that the UK's current epidemic of youth unemployment starts in the classroom. A report by charity Impetus showed last week that young people from underprivileged backgrounds are 66pc more likely not to be in education, employment or training (Neet) than average. The issues have grown far worse since the Covid crisis, with the number of 16-24-year-old male Neets up 40pc since Covid, compared to just 7pc among women. Our education system, and with it the culture of low expectations for male students, is in need of a shake-up. As British men give up on work faster than anywhere else in the richest parts of the world, the seeds being sown at school must not be ignored.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lessons learned from CJ tornadoes shared at public meeting
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction city leaders are sharing lessons learned from past storms affecting the town. A severe weather roundtable was held at the CJ Community Center, where police officers, firefighters, school officials, and storm spotters provided the public with important severe weather information. Various speakers talked about severe weather preparedness, and what the recovery process is like after the storm. Carl Junction is no stranger to damaging severe weather events. The community was struck by two violent tornadoes in two decades. The first one was May 4, 2003. The EF-3 tornado claimed two lives, injured 15 others, and destroyed or damaged more than 600 homes and businesses. Then, on May 22, 2019, another EF-3 tornado touched down in Carl Junction's Briarbrook neighborhood, destroying or damaging over 330 homes. 'The Carl Junction community has had their share of tornadoes, some larger than others. The community here, though, is so connected. We just had a tornado on Easter and literally within 30 minutes, people were outside with chainsaws helping one another,' said storm chaser, Eric Baab. 'It doesn't just have to be a tornado. You know, our preclusion for straight line winds, and making sure that people are able to have as much prep work done before the storm as possible,' said Carl Junction Fire Chief, Joe Perkins. Wednesday's gathering was also part of a Facebook Live broadcast. You can watch a recording of the event, HERE. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Out
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The second instalment of Fyre Festival has once again fallen into chaos
News Last week it was announced the second instalment of this infamous 'festival' had been postponed, but now the brand is actually up for sale Look, we were as shocked as you when we reported that Fyre Festival, that infamous, celebrity-endorsed car crash of a supposedly 'luxury' weekender which descended into carnage back in 2017, was coming back for a second instalment in 2025, and set to take place in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We were less shocked to learn that last week, according to the New York Times, people who had bought tickets received refunds along with a notification that the event had indefinitely been 'postponed'. Now, in an even more unhinged turn of events, Billy Macfarlane, founder and convicted fraudster dubbed by Vanity Fair as the 'poster boy for millennial scamming', has actually put the brand up for sale. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FYRE FESTIVAL (@fyrefestival) The announcement on the festival's Instagram reads: 'Since 2017, FYRE has dominated headlines, documentaries and conversations as one of the world's most talked-about music festivals.' 'We knew that FYRE was big, but we didn't realise just how massive that wave would become. That wave has brought us here: to a point where we know it's time to call for assistance.' 'We have decided the best way to accomplish our goals is to sell the FYRE Festival brand, including its trademarks, IP, digital assets, media reach and cultural capital – to an operator that can fully realise its vision.' 'To the supporters, believers and builders who've stuck with my team and me: thank you. We will pick the new group based on their ability to execute the vision of FYRE in a transparent, grand and expeditious manner. The next chapter of FYRE will be bigger, better and built to last without me at the helm.' The internet obviously has some opinions on this outcome. Read on for our favourite reaction to the news so far. If you bought a ticket to Fyre Festival 2, there is a high probability that you are a complete moron — Joe Perkins (@joeprkns) April 17, 2025 Sorry to hear Fyre Festival 2 has been cancelled. I was really looking forward to the scathing documentaries. — Just Bill (@WilliamAder) April 24, 2025 Fyre Festival is the perfect music festival because you don't have to actually go to it. — Julius Sharpe (@juliussharpe) April 17, 2025 if you gave your money to 'Fyre Festival 2' and it turns out you got scammed I don't think you should get it back. I think you're arguably getting the experience you paid for. — one dozen rats at a keyboard (@PanasonicDX4500) April 16, 2025 Don't worry y'all. Fyre Festival 3 is gonna be DOPE!!!!!! — Jay Michi (@jaymichi) April 20, 2025
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carl Junction community unites for cleanup after powerful storm
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — 24 hours after a storm passes through town, damaging homes and businesses, cleanup in Carl Junction is already underway. Within minutes, neighbors were helping each other, and today, that work continues. PHOTOS: Easter Sunday storms damage homes, infrastructure in the Four States Video from the Carl Junction School District shows the collapse of a playground shelter at the second and third grade building, and strong winds at Bulldog Stadium just to the north of that. Viewer photos sent in moments after the storm show damage to homes, dozens of trees, and power lines down throughout town, and flooding. City Administrator Steve Lawver tells us that within moments of the storm, people were out helping each other. Today, the sun was out, and cleanup work continued. Carl Junction Fire Protection District Chief Joe Perkins says while that's happening, firefighters are still working to determine exactly how much damage was done to the community, because that could play a role in recovery efforts. 'To make sure that we don't qualify for state or federal aid, and then we'll allow the powers that be to take a look at that and coordinate with SEMA and decide what's applicable, what's not,' said Chief Joe Perkins, Carl Junction Fire Protection District. 'People were out of their houses already and starting to pick up stuff. It's just almost instantaneous as to when the storm as to when the people start helping each other,' said Steve Lawver, Carl Junction City Administrator. Anyone wishing to volunteer with recovery efforts is being asked to check in with volunteer coordinators at the Carl Junction Community Center. That's located at 303 North Main in Carl Junction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
