The Peter Young column

degrees by 2040. Anything above this threshold would irreversibly alter the global climate system and result in droughts, substantially higher sea levels and habitat and coral reef loss.

To avoid this, emissions of carbon dioxide need to be cut deeply since the IPCC says that this is responsible for most global warming and is caused by human activity like the widespread, longterm burning of fossil fuels which releases greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. The next agreed step is therefore for all countries to reduce their carbon emissions and reach net zero by 2050.

Put simply, climate breakdown is no longer a distant threat but is already seriously affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world. Extreme weather has enormous human and economic costs, whether from wildfires or the destructive power of flooding. It already constitutes a global emergency that affects countries in different ways.

In more remote ones, it has displaced people from their homes, killed livestock, destroyed vital infrastructure and farmland and created food shortages so that people in vast numbers have died; and it will get worse unless action is taken to slow it down or to mitigate it.

But, all too often, climate change and global warming are still not treated as an imminent danger in developed countries as, for example, the coronavirus pandemic was two years ago even though that was a far less deadly threat. In Britain, it is regarded by some as something of an abstraction whose consequences are likely to be decades away. They see it as too big and remote an issue so that people do not feel accountable for their actions which are anyway too small and insignificant to make any difference. Then, there are those who do not believe the facts presented to them by scientists and untrustworthy government officials and believe that global warming is part of a natural cycle in the Earth’s climate. Put simply, the subject does not ignite the public’s understanding and support – indeed, the grotesque action of the Just Stop Oil group in blocking roads in the UK - and interfering with the public’s day-to-day activities while the police look on supinely - has precisely the opposite effect by alienating everybody. Moreover, there appears to be a feeling amongst some in Britain that climate change is something that the elite worry about and delight in imposing restrictions on ordinary people who just want to get on with their daily lives unimpeded by something which may or may not happen sometime in the distant future.

Amongst such people, there is a belief that, if those most closely involved in climate change were serious about limiting carbon emissions, they would do something about the large numbers of commercial flights and private jets which burn huge amounts of fossil fuels and produce significant greenhouse gas emissions.

People also feel that they are being asked to cut back and restrict their activities in certain ways by a lawabiding government that honours its international commitments while other major polluting countries like China and India – and indeed the US itself -- do not do so and apparently incur no penalty.

Nonetheless, the whole issue is under constant review as political leaders meet at least once a year at the COP gatherings held by the UN. At the 2022 meeting in Sharm EL-Sheikh in Egypt, there was at least a small step towards what has been called climate justice when a new chapter was opened on the means of funding for the most vulnerable countries that are hit hard by floods, droughts and climate disasters such as hurricanes. Reportedly, this contributed to building new trust between the countries needing help – including, presumably, Small Island Developing States like The Bahamas, in the Caribbean and elsewhere – and the donor countries. Some at the meeting apparently said that this was treating the patient’s symptoms rather than taking steps to cure the fever – but it is also the case that there cannot be lasting action on climate change without establishing climate justice.

English Pre Mier Le Ague Is Back

The sport of footballknown in the US as soccer – is one of the most popular team games around the world. Last weekend marked the start of the 2023/24 domestic professional season in England from August until May.

The Premier League is the top tier of the country’s football pyramid with twenty teams battling for the honour and financial reward of being crowned English champions.

The national sport of England is cricket which became popular in the 17th century. However, it is claimed that football, which was created in England and exported around the world, has become the most popular sport in the land. There are over 40,000 active association football clubs – more than in any other country. There is also a following of countless millions of football supporters and fans who are passionate about their teams and whose loyalty and commitment have become unwavering. Support for the top teams even crosses international borders, with some of England’s top football clubs enjoying world fame. The first modern set of rules for the sport were codified in 1863 and these have been gradually developed over the intervening years. Football’s long history has helped to make the sport a key part of the nation’s identity and culture - a way of life and a means of connecting with other people, enabling those concerned to feel part of their community.

As the country welcomes the start of another season, football fans are also following the Women’s World Cup which is currently taking place in Australia and New Zealand. For people of my vintage, references to the FIFA (world football’s governing body) World Cup often mean England’s victory against Germany in 1966 when the English players prevailed over their archrivals in spectacular and emphatic fashion to become champions of the world. But, as recently as 1991, the football Women’s World Cup was founded, to be held every four years and one year after the men’s event. So far, it has been dominated by the US whose team was victorious four times before being eliminated as defending champions this year by Japan. This Women’s World Cup has flourished as a most popular event with extensive TV coverage and record crowds in this year’s host countries of Australia and New Zealand. It has become a matter of national pride for both countries to have organized the event, with the tournament capturing, in particular, the imagination of the Australian public as resonating with the nation’s values. While football aficionados have been following the FIFA men’s World Cup since it was first held in Uruguay in 1930 and won by the host country against their arch-rivals Argentina in the final, the Women’s Cup is fast becoming equally as famous. In bringing people together in celebration of their shared love for what is known as ‘the beautiful game’, it has demonstrated its power to unite and inspire people beyond national boundaries.

Organised initially as a 12-team event, 32 nations are participating this year. The semi-finals are taking place this week between Spain and Sweden and Australia and England, and the final is scheduled for August 20 in Sidney.

Co-hosts Australia have reached the quarter-finals on three occasions but have never got beyond the last eight. Now, they face the European champions, England, as the eyes of the nation and the wider world are upon them in what is expected to be a highly competitive football match. There is, of course, a history of fierce sporting rivalry across-the-board between the two countries, with England victorious in the last major sporting encounter between the two nations on Australian soil when England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003. The general expectation seems to be that England will go through to the final by a narrow margin. But, for the Australian team this time, there could be no sweeter moment than beating England as the upstart against the old colonial power – and, what is more, at a game that the English themselves invented!

Special Coins Out For Ne W King

An interesting development in Britain last week was the announcement by the Royal Mint that 5 million new 50 pence coins (worth half of one pound sterling) have been released into circulation to mark the coronation of King Charles III. The Royal Mint, which has been striking coins for every British monarch since Alfred the Great, said it was a ‘special moment for the nation’, as people will now have a chance to ‘find a piece of history’ in the small change in their pockets.

This new coin follows the memorial 50p pieces commemorating the change in monarch which were the first coins featuring King Charles and were released into circulation in December, 2022. The Royal Mint described the new release as ‘the biggest change in Britain’s coinage in decades’, marking the first time that many British people had ever seen in their change another royal portrait besides the late Queen Elizabeth.

Coin collectors in particular – also known as numismatists if they study the history behind the production of coins – will be interested that the head of the new 50p coin features the King’s official portrait unveiled in the coins released last year. The reverse side carries his official cypher, and this represents him being crowned at Westminster Abbey in May. Meanwhile, the new coins will co-circulate with those bearing the effigy of the late Queen which will remain legal tender and in active circulation for the foreseeable future.

Interestingly, a new commemorative 50p coin marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival in London of the Windrush generation of migrants from Jamaica – which I wrote about in last week’s column - was also released by the Royal Mint in June.

Special Education Needs Teacher

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join an outstanding and ambitious founding team at Inspired’s new premium school in Nassau, The Bahamas.

We are looking for a SEN teacher and leader who brings a dedication to supporting the thriving of each student, a forward-thinking attitude and outstanding experience of best practice across the sector.

You will be able to demonstrate experience in coordinating and delivering outstanding SEN provision in an academically ambitious environment, and in working collaboratively with a team of dedicated educators to design and implement personalised learning plans and inclusivity strategies.

The successful candidate will be providing one on one or small group support to students with SEN, whilst also building the foundations for a thriving department which will grow with the school. As such, the ideal candidate would have a strong background in Special Education, with a proven track record in coordinating and delivering SEN provision in an academically ambitious environment.

In addition to a relevant degree and a SENCO qualifcation, it is preferable for the ideal candidate to also have a postgraduate degree in special education or a related feld, and a Level 7 qualifcation or equivalent, allowing them to diagnose dyslexia and dyscalculia. A willingness to participate fully in the co-curricular life of the School is expected. King’s College School, The Bahamas, offers a vibrant learning community, already renowned for its high academic standards, and committed to inclusion and the holistic development of every student. The school will offer the highest quality modern facilities in a new purpose-built state-of-the-art facility on an expansive 10-acre campus, ensuring that students beneft from a learning environment that has been designed for how students learn in the modern day.

Facilities include football pitches, tennis and Padel courts, as well as dance, drama, and art studios. There will also be state-of-the-art science labs, a multi-purpose hall, a 25m competition swimming pool, an adventure park playground, and plenty of green spaces and shaded areas for students to enjoy.

Job Description

The SENCO is line-managed directly by the Founding Principal and is directly responsible for ensuring that pupils who are registered as having, or show symptoms of, Special Educational Needs are identifed and then supported as fully and appropriately as possible across all year groups. The role holder will deliver one-on-one or small group support initially, whilst also establishing a thriving SEN department which will grow with the school. Some of the responsibilities or the role will be:

To support individuals and small groups of students.

To work alongside the class teachers to help to identify pupils who may have Special Educational Needs through the use of initial in-house diagnostic tests and refer children to an Educational Psychologist for diagnostic testing whenever necessary.

To work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure all SEN pupils’ needs are met fully at all times, also by creating, preparing and implementing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for pupils identifed as having Special Educational Needs.

To ensure the details of all ILPs are recorded on iSams and updated regularly and are shared appropriately with class teachers.

To arrange and attend meetings with parents and teachers.

To advise the teaching staff on the support for SEN pupils through targeted and specifc differentiation, including by leading regular INSET for staff on SEN matters and by participating in the drawing of the school development plan.

When joining King’s College School you will join the family of the awardwinning Inspired Education Group, the leading global group of premium schools, with over 80 schools operating in 23 countries. We offer a competitive salary and benefts and access to best practice and career pathways with some of the very best schools worldwide. To apply please send a CV and letter of motivation to admin@kingscollegeschool.bs