The Good Schools Guide 2007 - Softcover

Ralph Lucas

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0955282101 ISBN 13: 9780955282102

Publisher: Lucas Publications

About this title

About the Author

Born in 1951, Ralph Lucas was educated at Eton (loathed, worked hard) and Balliol, Oxford (loved, worked hardly at all) where he read rowing and wine with physics. Four years training as a chartered accountant and twelve years investment banking with S G Warburg & Co followed, then four years learning how hard it is to run your own business. In late 1991 he inherited the title of Lord Lucas of Crudwell & Dingwall from his mother, signed on in the House of Lords to get his name on the roll before Prime Minister Kinnock threw out the hereditaries, and became a spokesman in the Lords (for education, agriculture and other ministries) for the last three years of John Major's government. He was a government whip in the Lords 1994-7 and is still there as an elected hereditary peer. Ralph's involvement in education stems from the difficulties of educating his older children (his eldest is now 22) in London independent schools, and the delights of moving them to state schools near Winchester. He married Amanda Atha, one of the founders of The Good Schools Guide, in 1995, and inherited it on her death in 2000. He has since remarried and lives in Hampshire and London. Now he is starting the education cycle all over again with his 3-year-old younger daughter. The Good Schools Guide, the House of Lords and his family take up most of Ralph's time. Political interests include education, liberty, planning and parking control (he sponsored a bill to tame parking wardens), and is chairman of the London Motorists Action Group. He is an active campaigner for reform in such areas as the school curriculum and school admissions. A lively and articulate speaker, Ralph has broadcast for radio stations such as Today, The Learning Curve, Radio 5 Live, BFBS and local BBC radio, and appeared on national television programmes such as Andrew Neil's The Daily Politics and BBC Breakfast.

Review

One of the best aids for parents...informative and witty' THE FINANCIAL TIMES Unique among the many guides available, it sets out to give frank answers to the questions every parent asks. It told the truth.' THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Like its predecessors, it is based on visits and the views of parents, pupils and staff. It is just as untroubled by the sensibilities of schools and as cavalier in the face of squawks from those it has offended.' TES Chock-full of information about schools written by parents for parents and for which no money has been taken from schools...You get a comprehensive and honest review of each individual school listed that goes way beyond the picture painted in the prospectus. The editors take pains to point out that because a school is not listed, it does not mean that it is not a good school - so don't treat this as the last word. They point out that what is a good school for one child may not be for another. Contains background information and notes ...also reviews some tutorial colleges - Oneup Magazine - March/April 2007 issue

Edition details

• Publisher: Lucas Publications
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0955282101
• ISBN 13: 9780955282102
• Binding: Paperback