Stephen Shaun (names have been changed to protect the innocent, especially me) was a nuisance.
When he announced, at the beginning of Year 11, that he was not bothered about GCSE examinations and
that he would be leaving at Easter, the future seemed much more cheery. It was a short-lived cheeriness.
The DfEE announced a change in the law that very year. No pupil would be able to leave until the fourth
Friday in June after attaining the age of 16 years. Gloom descended on both sides.
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Poems to Visit |
 Oh Stephen Shaun, with face forlorn, How my heart bleeds for thee, For with delight, thou didst recite Chapter and verse to me; That every dope with certain hope From school could be set free: "The sixteenth span makes me a man; Who needs G.C.S.E?" Oh cruel fate, to close the gate When all were filled with glee, With thoughts of peace and great release And sweet serenity. Oh cruel fate, to aggravate The problems we all see Of more insults, to boost results, And increased truancy. © G. Jones 1997 |
