The Wardman Wire

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From the news on Radio 4 at 6.00am this morning:

“More than 25% of the schools in England branded as ‘failing’ by the Prime Minister and threatened with closure have been judged good or outstanding by Schools Inspectors. Last week the Secretary of State for Schools Ed Balls launched a scheme to improve or close schools where fewer than 30% of pupils are getting less than 5 good GCSEs.”

Here’s where they were threatened with closure. From the BBC on June 10th:

Almost one in five secondary schools in England have been given a “no excuses” warning to improve their GCSE exam results or face closure.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has launched a £400m drive to raise results in the lowest-performing 638 schools.

Ooops.

From Leah what’s-her-name gubbins thingummy in the Spectator having a hack at British men:

English men are widely reputed to be the worst lovers on the planet. For centuries, discerning women from Barcelona to Bangor have complained of their freckled skin, sloped shoulders, fussy tummies and off-putting predilection for ‘naughty’ banalities in the bedroom.

As a single woman who relocated to the UK from Canada a few months ago, I can neither confirm nor deny this unflattering rumour. After dating a passel of them, I still have no idea what English men are like in bed.

Hmmm.

You reach the conclusion they have not got a clue. I reach the conclusion they Googled you.

[Update: now with added pics and sound]

In with Eurovision tonight. The avoidance strategy has failed for the first time in about 15 years. So I thought we’d have a Eurovision live blog until I get bored or go bonkers. I’ll try to put the odd pic and sound clip in but no promises.

There are a few pieces of knowledge that you just cannot get through today without knowing.

I haven’t got one.

Boo.