CLASS ACTION THREATENED.Byline: Maurice Fitzmaurice THEY'RE at each other's throats in England. Former friends and neighbours are battling it out for a coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. place, that can turn the law-abiding citizen into a well-meaning rebel. The Holy Grail Holy Grail: see Grail, Holy. A very desired object or outcome that borders on a sacred quest. There are several Holy Grails in the computer business. that makes people probably mortified mor·ti·fy v. mor·ti·fied, mor·ti·fy·ing, mor·ti·fies v.tr. 1. To cause to experience shame, humiliation, or wounded pride; humiliate. 2. at a yellow sticker slapped on their windscreen, bend rules until they snap is a place for their beloved offspring at the best school. There's nothing new in this quest to get your child a better start in life and nothing particularly surprising. What is new, however, is the Government is toying with the idea of new "sanctions", including fines to deter mums and dads from pretending to separate and renting houses inside much sought after catchment areas catchment area or drainage basin, area drained by a stream or other body of water. The limits of a given catchment area are the heights of land—often called drainage divides, or watersheds—separating it from neighboring drainage . But one question that occurs is how come the schools in the other areas are But if catchment areas are going to become a key part of selection criteria if Caitriona Ruane gets her way then we're headed for a property shuffling nightmare. We've already had a taste of it with "grannying" in Derry, so we're well capable of playing games to get a seat in the right classroom. Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: see Ireland, Northern. Northern Ireland Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupying the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. Area: 5,461 sq mi (14,144 sq km). Population (2001): 1,685,267. has a lot of good schools, but unless they are all pretty good we are going to end up seeing some pretty Machiavellian behaviour as parents race to get little Johnny into the best school. A downwards race to an equality of mediocrity me·di·oc·ri·ty n. pl. me·di·oc·ri·ties 1. The state or quality of being mediocre. 2. Mediocre ability, achievement, or performance. 3. One that displays mediocre qualities. isn't the answer though. It's a tough one, but something Mrs Ruane cannot ignore. Looking on the bright side, though, some people already living near a good school might see themselves lifted out of that negative equity trap they fell into this |
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