How Would I change Schools Today?

I am an ex teacher and have taught in Australia and the England. I have home schooled my children and also been very involved in Montessori education in Australia where my children attended for some time.

I absolutely hate the way primary schools have become so formal in this country. From a very young age children are tested and labelled constantly, teachers are under pressure to get results and move children up two steps within a level per year. Children are NOT machines and they develop at different rates, they have individual stresses and family issues, they have different talents and different abilities so why does this education system force them all to fit the same hole.

I would make Primary school fun. It does matter what the children learn apart from reading and maths, the history and geography etc are irrelevant. Teach the basic skills through any subject that appeals to the children at the time and the teacher. It is a well known fact that children learn more when they are enjoying the learning and it is something that interests them. It really doesn't matter if they learn the reading and maths through world cup football or through Harry potter as a good teacher will be able to fit all the learning of skills into whichever topic they choose.

Ofsted are the biggest waste of time and all they do is create stress in teachers and children. Failing schools are still failing and the best schools still continue to be the best, NOTHING has changed except that many good teachers have left the profession because of stress. I get rid of Ofsted which is only lining the pockets of those doing the job. I left my failing school as I was constantly being criticised and I am proud to say that the class of children that did best in the Key stage 2 SATS is the class that I had for three years - Y3 to Y5 and I taught them through things we all enjoyed. Thatis what didn't go down well.

Maria Montessori was ahead of her time. She first introduced small chairs for children and equipment like brooms that were for children sizes. Her main philosophy was that education should be hands on and the child should be guided but basically they learned through activities chosen by the child.

My children once we came back to the UK had to go to state school as I had to go to work in order to pay the bills as there was no one else to do this. Luckily they went to a local village school and loved it. The school had caring teachers and the children certainly were not pushed academically which could be a criticism but they were happy. They all achieved the standard level 4 in their SATS. Other people I worked with were pushing their children and they were getting level 5 and even level 6.

They moved into a local school which has a 'good' reputation. I also went to the school as did my sisters and it was not the greatest school but we all came out okay. One sister is an anaesthetist, another works pretty high up in Canada for Procter & Gamble, the other sister and I are teacher s. My own and my step children were always supported throughout school but we never pushed them, we encouraged them to take part in other activities such as sport and the like and we ran around doing the music lessons etc whilst both working full time. They have all been to university and are all in good jobs and we are proud of all of them.

I can't say that the education they had was the best and it is nothing like that of my nieces who went to private school and had all sorts of different options not available to mine however they are happy and they enjoyed school and they are making a useful contribution to society now.

I am really concerned that if the government keep pushing and pushing that we will end up with child suicides like they do in Japan. School should be a place of learning but it should also be a place where social interaction can take place where children learn how to be part of society and it should be fun. Schools should be able to be more flexible and offer a variety of activities rather than just the straight academic curriculum.

Everybody is not academic, not everybody can be a investigative scientist or work towards a PhD, we are all different and have different skills and talents to offer so PLEASE can schools be allowed to develop these skills and talents. This could be done by allowing schools to share teaching skills, a Latin teacher might teach in four different schools and subjects like yoga offered and experts brought in to just teach that.

Music is already taught by peripatetic teachers so why can't this happen with other subjects and interests and bring in talented skilful people to share their knowledge.

I also feel very strongly that no child should leave education with being able to budget for a household. They should also all be able to cook simple meals using basic ingredients. Simple household management skills seem to be lost in the generations leaving school and the youngsters really struggle. Not all children have the opportunity to cook at home as parents either can't themselves or they are too busy working. Cooking is not only fun but is educational and a basic life skill. My classes cooked once a week in groups of six each week. They cooked proper, interesting meals from different countries and not one child refused to taste anything .We ate it sitting at tables correctly, the children served it out, prepared and washed up. Not in the National Curricul and so I was asked to stop!

Didn't really know how many stars to give as I anm not sure if I am rating the current system or my idea - current system gets 2 stars
I could go on but...

Thanks for reading. This review may be posted on other sites under my same username.
©Catsholiday