A different kind of political blog.

Windy again today, but we managed two jumps in the early evening. Both were a mess, but good fun. At the beach, the kite surfers were out: pictures to follow.

Based on the weather forecast, Mark and Jake expect to go to 21,000 feet tomorrow, and perhaps land on the beach, but I will be on my way home.

It’s been a great trip. I love Europe: we were Brits jumping at a German-run drop zone in Portugal with staff and guests from all over the continent. People just get on with things and enjoy themselves, wherever they come from. A pity then, about the structures of the EU.

Skydive Algarve, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

Six great skydives today. Four two-ways with Jake, then two four-ways, once Mark arrived, with one of the resident experts. It’s a beautiful view from up there.

Three-way formations tomorrow, finishing, we hope, with a jump from 21,000 feet, with oxygen…

United Parachute Technologies’ riser cover modification, which adds extra magnets. I understand this is intended to increase the security of the riser covers, particularly for those who work at higher freefly speeds.

The cover on the left of the image is modified and that on the right, standard. The kit was free and took about 30 minutes to apply.

Vector 3 modification, originally uploaded by stevenjbaker.

The covers seem slightly smarter, slightly more secure and a little less likely to close naturally when under canopy. We’ll see

This is ridiculous. It should not need saying:

Ofsted is to launch a crackdown on “boring” teaching in response to concerns that children’s behaviour is deteriorating because they are not being stimulated enough in class.

…

The inspectorate’s latest annual report, published in November, warned of “pedestrian” teaching in primary schools, and said pupils in secondary schools were too often set tasks that are not demanding enough of them.

…

Gilbert said: “People divorce teaching from behaviour. I think they are really, really linked and I think students behave much better if the teaching is good, they are engaged in what they are doing and it’s appropriate to them. Then they’ve not got lost five minutes into the lessons and therefore started mucking around. Behaviour in our schools is generally very good. But there’s what I would describe as low-level disruption where children are bored and not motivated, so they start to use their abilities for other ends. That then can lead to other children being distracted in lessons and so on.”

via Ofsted’s new mission – to get rid of boring teachers | Education | The Guardian .

The answer to boring teaching and bad behaviour will not be found in further attempts to whip teachers into running through deep treacle. It will be found in responsible freedom.

Honestly, it makes me want to do this:

   

Mark and Sylvia Exit, originally uploaded by Lowerlighter.

From the photographer:

Sylvia is 90 years old, born November 24, 1916. This is her second skydive. Her first was ten years ago when she turned 80. Sylvia says she is looking forward to doing it again at 100. She is an inspiring lady.

I am not responsible for the content of other people’s Flickr photostreams.