JUST ANOTHER BOGUS COLLEGE

I had an interview today at a college in East London. I thought I might get a day's work if nothing else. I found the address but the college's name was not outside the building, an old town hall, nor listed inside either. The building looked inauspicious-actually inside it was dirty and uninviting. I was being polite. I asked the receptionist if the college was located there but he was uncertain and suggested I go to the third floor where one was. I went there, the lift of course was broken, but could not find the reception. Eventually I found someone to talk to and they directed me to the first floor as the third was used only for lecturers. When I arrived there the receptionist knew nothing of my interview. By then I wanted out already. The reception area was also gloomy and dirty. I was told to wait while they checked up on my supposed interview. I was offered coffee that arrived half-an-hour later.


After 40 minutes (yes, I should have gone) I was told the principal would see me. He turned out to be an amiable man from North England. He introduced himself and the much younger man beside as his CEO, in other words his boss. My invite had asked me to produce a SOW, a lesson plan, and also a power point on teaching. None of which I was asked to give. This is typical! I sat up half the night completing them! While the principal had some knowledge the CEO seemed, as usual, to have none. He looked bored. Clearly, he wasn't an academic by any stretch of the imagination.

I wish I'd just walked out. One of the reasons I'd gone is that I'd recently received information on the facility. More later!

I am nevertheless intrigued by the principal, who I later searched for on the internet. He has held a responsible position in a government college, so what is he doing there? Perhaps, just gullible. Some long-time teachers and educationalists see themselves as giving something back by taking such positions. OK not all. One I know just wants to make as much money as he can. The principal does not realise perhaps exactly what he is involved in, the type he is mixing with! Just another bogus college.