Ros Coward

Journalist, Author and Academic // @RosCoward

Battle of Hastings won

Posted on 17 August 2001 by Ros Coward

Victory over the bypass was sweet, but plans to streamline planning suggest the fight is scarcely over

For those involved in environmental campaigning, victories don’t come often. When they do, they are shockingly sweet. In recent months two major unexpected victories have attracted surprisingly little comment: Crystal Palace, a green oasis in London, was saved from development, while the decision not to build the Hastings bypasses has spared beautiful countryside and precious wildlife.

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/aug/17/politicalcolumnists.comment

Exam fever

Posted on 15 August 2001 by Ros Coward

Results can be an unhealthy obsession, says Ros Coward – and not just for the kids

A few days ago an old acquaintance unexpectedly made contact. We had plenty to catch up on but within a couple of minutes, I found myself dragged into a conversation about children’s exam grades. Such exchanges are common among middle-class parents, but, with A level and GCSE results imminent, they are reaching hysteria pitch. Even so, I was aghast at the blatant way our dialogue was wrenched round to her daughters’ exam triumphs. Number one, an academic slow starter, was now expected to get straight As for her A levels. Daughter number two, by contrast always a workaholic, will not be satisfied with anything less than 10 As in her GCSEs.

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2001/aug/15/schools.alevels2001