Yesterday, as part of the build-up to the IB Paper Two I went through a series of 21st Century contexts - the kinds of current issues that are shaping our lives and which might offer contemporary parallels for the set texts. Fundamentalism and the secularisation of society was one which, in turn, led on to a discussion of terrorism and the shifting nature of modern war. I tried to explain to students how the old model of two opposing armies and a battlefield was no longer applicable. Imagine, I said, had you been walking down the street in Forest last week and suddenly found yourself in the cross-fire. The war zone is on your doorstep.

One of those teacherly off-the-cuff remarks you make in an effort to give force to an idea ... and then this morning's events take place.

There's really not much more to say right now.