Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 64
August 18, 2013
Lollibop 2013
Forget Glastonbury and The Stones; I was too young for Woodstock; as for the Isle of Wight, well.... Did it have Justin Fletcher headlining on the main stage? I think not.
Lollibop did, and apart from being something of a victim of its popularity (it was very busy) we had a wonderful time yesterday with Sid and Andy, Katy Ashworth, Alex Winters and, of course, the amazing Mr 'Justin Fletcher' Tumble. It was like CBeebies come to life. I don't know who they left minding the shop at Media City!
We were there as guests of Little Tikes and - in spite of the queue - their activity area was one of the highlights. If you couldn't make it here's a brief taste of what it was like. And don't forget - there's always next year...
Posted with Blogsy
August 15, 2013
Is it worth going to university?
It's A level results day; cue pictures of pretty girls (plus the odd boy) jumping in the air holding bits of paper, if only in the Daily Mail.
There'll undoubtedly be headlines about grade inflation too (again, in the Daily Mail) but behind the annual silly season brouhaha some serious questions remain. Higher education (which basically means university or degree-level learning) has grown out of all proportion. Forty years ago a mere 620,000 people went to uni, compared to two-and-a-half million today. And in 1973 a grant of nearly £400 would keep most students in the manner to which they would soon become accustomed, the more so as fees (paid by students themselves, that is) were zero.
Better grades, more graduates, greater debt - these are the known quantities of higher ed. expansion. What seems less certain is whether a degree is 'worth it' economically speaking.
Of course there's a persuasive argument that three years of higher education plus a graduate qualification are valuable enough in themselves. But when today's graduates rack up approximately £50,000 of debt in the process the question of worth is at least eye catching. If not eye-watering!
Research suggests that graduates can expect to add up to £100,000 to their earnings over the course of their career. That makes the maths a little simpler. But it also assumes there's a career - a graduate career - for every graduate and the number of my former students who return from three years at university to live at home doing a variety of low-paid jobs whilst desperately trying to get their 'career' started seems to suggest that there might not be enough jobs to go around.
So is it worth it? As someone who's convinced in the value of education for its own sake, I'd say 'of course.' But is it a worthwhile investment? Well, the figures might suggest you stand a chance of doubling your investment if you're lucky.
But that - and just about everything else we'll read and hear about student finance - assumes the benefits of a graduate education accrue to the students themselves, and no one else. Someone else benefits from training large numbers of people to take highly skilled jobs (if they can find them) and pay taxes on higher-than-average incomes, don't they everyone?
Yes, Mr Cameron. And Mr Gove. And Mr Clegg. And the rest of us, too. Those students getting their results today and in many cases embarking on the next exciting step of their education are, of course, doing it for themselves. But without them, and millions more like them, we'd be a pretty poor state as a country.
So whatever your views of graduate debt or tuition fees or grade inflation, wish those students luck today. We need them!
There'll undoubtedly be headlines about grade inflation too (again, in the Daily Mail) but behind the annual silly season brouhaha some serious questions remain. Higher education (which basically means university or degree-level learning) has grown out of all proportion. Forty years ago a mere 620,000 people went to uni, compared to two-and-a-half million today. And in 1973 a grant of nearly £400 would keep most students in the manner to which they would soon become accustomed, the more so as fees (paid by students themselves, that is) were zero.
Better grades, more graduates, greater debt - these are the known quantities of higher ed. expansion. What seems less certain is whether a degree is 'worth it' economically speaking.
Of course there's a persuasive argument that three years of higher education plus a graduate qualification are valuable enough in themselves. But when today's graduates rack up approximately £50,000 of debt in the process the question of worth is at least eye catching. If not eye-watering!
Research suggests that graduates can expect to add up to £100,000 to their earnings over the course of their career. That makes the maths a little simpler. But it also assumes there's a career - a graduate career - for every graduate and the number of my former students who return from three years at university to live at home doing a variety of low-paid jobs whilst desperately trying to get their 'career' started seems to suggest that there might not be enough jobs to go around.
So is it worth it? As someone who's convinced in the value of education for its own sake, I'd say 'of course.' But is it a worthwhile investment? Well, the figures might suggest you stand a chance of doubling your investment if you're lucky.
But that - and just about everything else we'll read and hear about student finance - assumes the benefits of a graduate education accrue to the students themselves, and no one else. Someone else benefits from training large numbers of people to take highly skilled jobs (if they can find them) and pay taxes on higher-than-average incomes, don't they everyone?
Yes, Mr Cameron. And Mr Gove. And Mr Clegg. And the rest of us, too. Those students getting their results today and in many cases embarking on the next exciting step of their education are, of course, doing it for themselves. But without them, and millions more like them, we'd be a pretty poor state as a country.
So whatever your views of graduate debt or tuition fees or grade inflation, wish those students luck today. We need them!
August 13, 2013
Craft a car competition with Carcraft
As someone who once dreamt of being a car designer, and who created an entire portfolio of incredible creations (the super rocket-powered car-boat-plane was my triumph!) at the age of six I was intrigued when Carcraft got in touch to ask if I'd help spread the word about their latest competition.
Basically, they want to re-capture that childhood eccentricity (do they mean me?) by inviting young minds to craft their dream car and send them a photo. Children can craft their dream car out of anything; it might be made of Lego, or out of plasticine, straws, paper, or might simply be a wonderful drawing. The more imaginative and creative they are, the better!
The winner will receive a £50 Amazon voucher and have their dream car posted on the Carcraft website!
To enter, follow these simple instructions:
1. Help your child (or children) craft their dream car.
2. Take a photo – there is room for more creativity here!
3. Finally, tweet us your photo at @Carcraft with the hashtag #DreamCarCraft.
Entries for the Craft Your Dream Car will close on the 16th August 2013. Carcraft will then pick a winner who will be announced on the 19th August and have their car posted on the Carcraft website.
August 8, 2013
CrossCountry and Mumsnet users offer top tips for family travel
As someone struggling with the prospect of several days travel through Europe this summer I was particularly interested in this email which arrived this morning. It states that...
With the school holidays in full swing, families across Britain will be off on their travels- but it doesn’t have to spell out the beginning of traffic jams, squabbling kids and endless toilet breaks.
Research from leading train company CrossCountry reveals that some parents are opting for train services when travelling with children – with 43% of parents agreeing that they are able to have more stimulating conversations with their children on a train than if they were travelling by car.
Two fifths (40%) of parents say their children get a better understanding of geography by travelling on train and 34% say their children benefit from spending more quality time with their family. More than half (57%) say their children enjoy looking out of the window at the scenery and talking about the sights they pass.
To make family travel by train even more appealing and a little easier this summer, CrossCounty have teamed up with Mumsnet to find out what parents like about travelling by train. Below is a selection of top tips for families, as recommended by the Mumsnet users:
1. Pack a back-pack full of tricks (think cheap, disposable toys)2. Book in advance to make sure you get a seat reservation3. Check to see if you could save even more by buying a Family & Friends Railcard4. When travelling with a toddler try and tire them out first5. Sit back, relax and enjoy and enjoy the view!
Despite every parent’s best efforts, travelling with kids is not always plain sailing. Some of the more humorous events that parents admit to happening on a train include children saying 'hello' to every individual passenger, asking the ticket inspector for his ticket and even telling someone off for not having a ticket. The research also found that over half (51%) of Brits like to travel by train because it’s often quicker than driving, 64% say they benefit from missing out on traffic jams and 56% simply enjoy the opportunity to sit back and relax.
Clare Shufflebotham, Partnerships Manager at CrossCountry commented; “We see lots of families travelling with us over the Summer months. Travelling by rail is a great way to see the country and re-visiting some of your favourite childhood holiday destinations with your own children can be really special.” CrossCountry run to 118 stations – covering more of Britain than any other train operator – and have lots of special travel offers to help make family travel even easier this summer at www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/tickets-timetables/summer-travel
With the school holidays in full swing, families across Britain will be off on their travels- but it doesn’t have to spell out the beginning of traffic jams, squabbling kids and endless toilet breaks.
Research from leading train company CrossCountry reveals that some parents are opting for train services when travelling with children – with 43% of parents agreeing that they are able to have more stimulating conversations with their children on a train than if they were travelling by car.
Two fifths (40%) of parents say their children get a better understanding of geography by travelling on train and 34% say their children benefit from spending more quality time with their family. More than half (57%) say their children enjoy looking out of the window at the scenery and talking about the sights they pass.
To make family travel by train even more appealing and a little easier this summer, CrossCounty have teamed up with Mumsnet to find out what parents like about travelling by train. Below is a selection of top tips for families, as recommended by the Mumsnet users:
1. Pack a back-pack full of tricks (think cheap, disposable toys)2. Book in advance to make sure you get a seat reservation3. Check to see if you could save even more by buying a Family & Friends Railcard4. When travelling with a toddler try and tire them out first5. Sit back, relax and enjoy and enjoy the view!
Despite every parent’s best efforts, travelling with kids is not always plain sailing. Some of the more humorous events that parents admit to happening on a train include children saying 'hello' to every individual passenger, asking the ticket inspector for his ticket and even telling someone off for not having a ticket. The research also found that over half (51%) of Brits like to travel by train because it’s often quicker than driving, 64% say they benefit from missing out on traffic jams and 56% simply enjoy the opportunity to sit back and relax.
Clare Shufflebotham, Partnerships Manager at CrossCountry commented; “We see lots of families travelling with us over the Summer months. Travelling by rail is a great way to see the country and re-visiting some of your favourite childhood holiday destinations with your own children can be really special.” CrossCountry run to 118 stations – covering more of Britain than any other train operator – and have lots of special travel offers to help make family travel even easier this summer at www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/tickets-timetables/summer-travel
July 30, 2013
At Home Parenting with Jo Frost
Yes, that'll be the same Jo Frost you've seen super nannying on TV. Well now there's a magazine packed with parenting tips too, as well as a feature on parent blogging and I'm delighted to say we've been included (along with some of my best blogging pals including Becky from BabyBudgeting) in the latest edition. You can see the online version here, and of course the magazine is available in all good newsagents (as they say).
July 25, 2013
May the Force be With You
We're teaming up with Disney’s Club Penguin (www.clubpenguin.com) - 'the #1 virtual world globally for kids - today in celebration of the Star Wars Takeover launching 25th July. We have one Club Penguin goody bag complete with a one month Club Penguin membership, a puffle plush, Yoda soft toy, Star Wars mug, Star Wars figurine and Star Wars mask
For the Star Wars Takeover, paid members will be able to dress up in costumes inspired by their favourite Star Wars characters and train to become a Jedi Master, thwart Darth Herbert and destroy the Death Star.
The prize will be a Star Wars goody bag consisting of:
1 x Puffle Plush
1 x CP membership
1 x Yoda Soft Toy (Non-talking)
1 x Star Wars Mug
1 x Star Wars Figurine
1 x Star Wars Mask
All you have to do to be in it to win in is leave a 'pick me' comment below before next Thursday.
May the force be with you.
Knees... what you 'kneed' to know
As someone who's had knee surgery I was interested when a link to this little video popped into my inbox the other day. Unlike ex-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan I didn't have to give up a successful professional career as a top sportsman (largely because I didn't have one) but I did have to make what they refer to as 'lifestyle changes' and I think I might have found the BUPA online diagnostic tool mentioned here a useful way of beginning to understand the problem (and therefore ask the right questions of the specialist). As it was, in spite of marking up the wrong knee initially and joking as they wheeled me down the theatre (it is the vesectomy you're in for, isn't it? - I bet they say that to everyone... well, not quite everyone but you know what I mean) I had an op. and have been pretty mobile ever since. But you don't want to hear me go on about my knees do you, you're here for Michael Vaughan, aren't you? Well, here he is...
July 22, 2013
A walk on the wild side
You don't have to go on safari to see some spectacular wildlife. If you open you're eyes (and ears) there's plenty to enjoy right under your nose and so I'm delighted to support a new Kickstarter project aimed an encouraging children to explore their native fauna.
WILDLIFE JACK is a plucky explorer of real British animals and the star of a magical new show for 0-6 year olds: “I meet scary things, fluffy things, monsters and giants!”
Jack (who is animated) uses his special ability to talk to animals (documentary) to understand more about nature. Wildlife Jack & His Animal Adventures is Dr Doolittle for the younger generation.
Nonchalant seals and savvy seahorses star in the pilot episode, available now on wildlifejack.com. Everything the animals say is based on their real lives, so other than their ability to talk, they remain as animals.
The creators are parents of two boys, TV producer Ed Kellie and journalist/trainee primary-school teacher Abi Kellie, “We want to make it possible for children, especially urban kids, to encounter real British animals and inspire them to go out and experience local wildlife for themselves.”
Research by Natural England has found that the likelihood of a child visiting any green space at all has halved in a generation. The Kellies hope Jack’s adventures will get kids outdoors and help to reverse this trend.
They now want to make the next 5 episodes to complete their first 6-episode DVD, for sale on their website and as downloads. They have set up a Wildlife Jack Shop of children’s gifts and activities on their Kickstarter.com page to help raise £15,000; half of the production budget. The shop offers everything from the finished films, to real animal-tracking adventures, to hand-drawn portraits by the animator. Under Kickstarter crowdfunding rules, the Kellies must hit their target by 27th July or they receive nothing. If you’d like to support them go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1...
WILDLIFE JACK is a plucky explorer of real British animals and the star of a magical new show for 0-6 year olds: “I meet scary things, fluffy things, monsters and giants!”
Jack (who is animated) uses his special ability to talk to animals (documentary) to understand more about nature. Wildlife Jack & His Animal Adventures is Dr Doolittle for the younger generation.
Nonchalant seals and savvy seahorses star in the pilot episode, available now on wildlifejack.com. Everything the animals say is based on their real lives, so other than their ability to talk, they remain as animals.
The creators are parents of two boys, TV producer Ed Kellie and journalist/trainee primary-school teacher Abi Kellie, “We want to make it possible for children, especially urban kids, to encounter real British animals and inspire them to go out and experience local wildlife for themselves.”
Research by Natural England has found that the likelihood of a child visiting any green space at all has halved in a generation. The Kellies hope Jack’s adventures will get kids outdoors and help to reverse this trend.
They now want to make the next 5 episodes to complete their first 6-episode DVD, for sale on their website and as downloads. They have set up a Wildlife Jack Shop of children’s gifts and activities on their Kickstarter.com page to help raise £15,000; half of the production budget. The shop offers everything from the finished films, to real animal-tracking adventures, to hand-drawn portraits by the animator. Under Kickstarter crowdfunding rules, the Kellies must hit their target by 27th July or they receive nothing. If you’d like to support them go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1...
July 19, 2013
Are you a hero?
Are you a hero? Most of us are, at least in our children's eyes. And our heroic deeds can sometimes be the smallest, simplest things we do. Like...
...or even - getting breakfast (actually, cooking in general). Charlie's Father's Day last year memorably (and kindly, and possibly exaggeratedly) cited my culinary ability as my greatest quality. Thanks to Charlie I'm a hero in the kitchen!
Aviva is helping us add to the list of heroics by doing perhaps one of the most important things any parent can do - protecting our families and safeguarding their future.
The campaign to get everyone talking about life insurance has been running since Monday and lasts until July 23rd across Twitter, Facebook and certain blogs.
What wouldn't you do to protect your family? Probably nothing. I wouldn't. But protection goes beyond catching them when they fall, snatching them back from the brink of a busy road or dispatching them to the bathroom to wash all the germs of those grubby hands. Providing for them in the event of illness or worse might just be the most heroic thing we ever do.
Sponsored Post
...or even - getting breakfast (actually, cooking in general). Charlie's Father's Day last year memorably (and kindly, and possibly exaggeratedly) cited my culinary ability as my greatest quality. Thanks to Charlie I'm a hero in the kitchen!
Aviva is helping us add to the list of heroics by doing perhaps one of the most important things any parent can do - protecting our families and safeguarding their future.
The campaign to get everyone talking about life insurance has been running since Monday and lasts until July 23rd across Twitter, Facebook and certain blogs.
What wouldn't you do to protect your family? Probably nothing. I wouldn't. But protection goes beyond catching them when they fall, snatching them back from the brink of a busy road or dispatching them to the bathroom to wash all the germs of those grubby hands. Providing for them in the event of illness or worse might just be the most heroic thing we ever do.
Sponsored Post
July 18, 2013
Little Arty Hands - review and special discount offer!
With the best will in the world the little masterpeices of our little masters (and mistresses) get torn, lost or - at the very least - tired. We've got a wonderful artistic representation of the Great Fire of London on our fridge - where it's been for the last ten years since Sally brought it home from school. Unfortunately, other magnificent examples of this major artist's ouvre are now lost to posterity. And that's in spite of a bulging bag full of preserved examples.
What to do? As the end of term approaches and classroom wall displays dis-mounted, as drawers and filing cabinets are emptied, parents of school age children will be increasingly required to transport entire galleries of art-work home for the holidays and to cram walls and clutter doors until the next batch arrives.
And then what? The bag (my solution) isn't really very good at keeping things in prime condition. For a start it's bulging at the seams.
So how about...
Little Arty Hands?
This simple and ingenious site gives parents the chance to preserve their offspring's art-work forever. And it's simple to use. Upload your photos (or scans) add titles, dates, notes (when painted, where drawn etc.) should you wish, choose a border (if appropriate) and off you go!
It really is as easy as that. And if that wasn't enough of an excuse to get cracking, we've teamed up with Little Arty Hands to offer readers a special discount. Just enter the code 'Discount50' and you'll be able to upload your files and create a beautiful, permanent memento for as little as £17.50.
What are you waiting for?
What to do? As the end of term approaches and classroom wall displays dis-mounted, as drawers and filing cabinets are emptied, parents of school age children will be increasingly required to transport entire galleries of art-work home for the holidays and to cram walls and clutter doors until the next batch arrives.
And then what? The bag (my solution) isn't really very good at keeping things in prime condition. For a start it's bulging at the seams.
So how about...
Little Arty Hands?
This simple and ingenious site gives parents the chance to preserve their offspring's art-work forever. And it's simple to use. Upload your photos (or scans) add titles, dates, notes (when painted, where drawn etc.) should you wish, choose a border (if appropriate) and off you go!
It really is as easy as that. And if that wasn't enough of an excuse to get cracking, we've teamed up with Little Arty Hands to offer readers a special discount. Just enter the code 'Discount50' and you'll be able to upload your files and create a beautiful, permanent memento for as little as £17.50.
What are you waiting for?
