"Grannying" and the Post Code Lottery
According to a quick Google search, "grannying" is a political philosophy espoused by an American all-women peace group which specialises in a cappella anti-war songs.
In Derry/Londonderry/Donegal, however, the term refers to using a granny's address north of the border instead of a parents' one south of the border in order to get your children into a school of your choice. The practice is now central to a judicial review likely to get going within the next fortnight.
On Inside Politics tomorrow, I discuss grannying with the SDLP's Mary Bradley who is a local primary school governor and the DUP's Sammy Wilson who chairs the Stormont Education Committee. Sammy Wilson argues that if academic selection gives way to a postcode lottery "grannying" will become a phenomenon relevant not only to the border areas but to every catchment area for every popular school.
I presume he's not referring to a spontaneous outbreak of a cappella singing.
Inside Politics is broadcast at 12.45 on Radio Ulster.
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Mark - I listened to this programme in total frustration as you deviated further and further away from the core issue. St. Cecilia's in a non-selective i.e secondary school, a set of schools under greater and greater threar as grammar schools scoop up more of the available pupils. You never once mentioned the Bain report and the proposal for further sharing among all schools who in the future will be chasing the smaller and smaller number of pupils. A sterile, useless waster of 15 minutes presented by a pro but produced by some twit.
Mark
GRANNY’S COLLAR SHOULD BE FELT
The manner in which Grannying is being reported is giving the impression that this is a quaint local custom that’s not doing any harm. Let’s be clear, this practice is straightforward Fraud using Deception. The families involved are obtaining services (Education, books, equipment, facilities etc) to which they have no entitlement. Indeed the parents are creating a situation whereby their children may be knowingly involved in conspiracy to Deceive.
EDIT
Grannying my *&%$! We’re talking major Fraud. Congratulations to those taking forward the Judicial Review, but that’s not enough; the Police should despatch the Fraud Squad to Stroke City post-haste.
And incidentally, don’t forget the Grannies; arguably most of them are willing participants in said Deception and their collars should also be felt by the Fraud Squad.
How will the Assembly deal with the problem? Another Review, I bet!
Susie
Carryduff
Mark: just for the record, "a cappella" is two words, and there are two "p"s. See