On 11 May 2017 at 12:07pm Mumsie wrote:
.....perhaps my child can get back to doing what primary school should be about...fun, interesting and varied lessons NOT endless teaching to the test because the school is worried about the poxy league tables....
On 11 May 2017 at 2:17pm Wordly wise wrote:
The trouble is the job market is global now, our schooling level needs to compete.
There is nothing wrong with working hard at school, given just how quickly children learn compared to adults, I would work them harder, give them some subjects that are easy to learn the younger you are (spoken foreign languages for example).
On 11 May 2017 at 4:28pm The Greek wrote:
Speaking to friends in teaching, they broadly advocate the Finnish model. Getting rid of traditional subjects and just teaching about topics and life in general where all subjects can come in. For example Leonardo da Vinci could cover science, maths, history, art, politics and Italian all in one hit...
On 11 May 2017 at 9:39pm handbag basic wrote:
Why are teachers so afraid of SATS?
On 12 May 2017 at 8:57am Cynic wrote:
@ handbag basic ... I suspect that competent/committed teachers aren't afraid of SATS, it will be the less competent teachers who are afraid that SATS results will highlight their own lack of ability by reflecting the fact that their students haven't met the standards required.
Of course, there will always be the excuse that teachers can only work with the students they have, so some teachers/schools may "suffer" from a higher than average percentage of less-able students, but I suspect that most teachers who are competent, and committed to their profession, will find way to bring the best out of their students - whereas the less able teachers will simply try the same old "one size fits all" approach to imparting knowledge.
As Wordly wise says, the employment market is now global, and UK education system (in all its width and breadth) must produce students who can hold their own when competing with students from other countries, where education is valued, and parents, teachers and the students themselves all understand that working hard, and gaining a good education (with qualifications to show for it) gains rewards.
On 12 May 2017 at 9:35am handbag basic wrote:
I suspect you're at least partially correct, although I can see that it's not a level playing field for teachers working in deprived areas. But what is unacceptable, in my mind, is teachers passing the stress to pupils. I had school tests from primary age at the end of every term and a bigger 'exam' at the end of each year. The teachers explained that it was so that they would know if any of us needed them to give us more help in particular areas. No stress was felt by the pupils.
On 12 May 2017 at 9:48am PhD wrote:
I spent my childhood, teens and 20s worrying about exams, grades, progress, results, career, and the future. I went to university, got a degree and then a D.Phil.
My opinion, for what it's worth, is that academic achievement and lots of letters after your name does not guarantee happiness or wealth. In some ways I would rather my son went down the vocational route.I think we should teach our children that being a decent person and making a difference is what to aim for, and just being happy with yourself is the best thing that we can achieve...
Hope that makes sense! My D. Phil was not in English!!