Summer has arrived, as evidenced by the rain pimpling the driveway outside the dining room where I am now typing.
Just thought I would drop this poem in. I wrote it for our KS1 and KS2 moderators. It reflects the decision made by STA to turn moderation and dialogue with schools into scrutiny and silent appraisal. This decision was later overturned for 2016 but it may be that moderators will be required to act in much less helpful ways in 2017. You need to think Gilbert and Sullivan as  you read it, particularly 'Short Sharp Shock'. I believe the last three words in each line are examples of molossus, a little used metrical foot. Waddya know?

Lament of The Lord High Scrutineers

We scrutinize the scribblings made in key stage one,

In a fractious marking frenzy, til we’re good and done,

Even if the teacher screeches that they’re just chil-drun

And that teaching kiddy-winkies should be much more fun!

(Oh Yes! Teaching kiddy-winkies could be much more fun!)

But the constant concentration on curriculum

And the grinding out of grammar and the big hard sum

Was rigidly required by Mister Cam-er-on,

So we execute the orders, and the tick list’s done!

(Yes! We execute the orders and curriculum!

And we pick on little children and examine ’em)

We standardise the scoring that you have to do,

Monitoring and scrutinising through and through

Then we do it and we do it throughout key stage two

Because that is education now for us and you!