To think there should be arts based specialist schools for younger children?

[SilverCharm]

Ok we have schools which are specialist schools at secondary level....some are performing arts based...others are academies with a strong background in computers or other subjects.

But why can't there be middle schools for DC aged 8 plus where the arts are stronger than the academic subjects?

People will say "Oh but 8 is too young to specialise" well I disagree. I know my 8 year old is very strong in arts based subjects and struggles with maths and science.

I know this. I see it. She's like me and she would be better off in a school where she could concentrate on building her art subjects....performance, creative writing, painting, media, music etc.

That way, she would be better prepared for a career in one or more of these fields....is it a bad idea? Why?

[SilverCharm]

I don't suggest that these schools should stop teaching maths etc...but that they are not taught so intensively and the other subjects are given more time.

[WorraLiberty]

If your 8yr old struggles with Maths and Science, surely it's better the teachers concentrate on getting her up to scratch so that she doesn't struggle?

[germyrabbit]

there are arts based schools though

[SilverCharm]

No....she's ok with them...they're just not her strongest subject but in that case, then why hammer more of it into her when in all likelihood, she will never go into a career where they are majorly important.

I KNOW you need some maths to get by in whatever field you choose...but SOME is the operative word.

[squeakytoy]

Your child will gain more from studying harder at maths and science than being allowed to let that go and faff about with "art".

She is 8 and I cant possibly see how you can map her future out already. She could easily get to grips with academic subjects once she gets to high school.

[SilverCharm]

Germy not for primary aged kids...ok...some performing arts ones...but none for other forms of art.

[germyrabbit]

oh see what you mean! lol at 'faffing' about with art

[WilsonFrickett]

Because its too soon for any DC to specialise at that age, IMO. And at 8 it's very difficult to discern enthusiasm and ability from true talent. So hot housing creative subjects won't neccesarily turn out enormously talented painters, actors, whatever. You do get the odd child prodigy that it could benefit, but it's very rare.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

GCSE Maths is really very basic maths. I'm always horrified at the amount of people I meet without basic English and maths. If they generalise until they are in secondary school at least it gives them the chance to have decent skills in all subjects. Not bothering with the academic subjects at 8 is frankly, worrying.

[SilverCharm]

But there are hundreds of arts based careers where you don't need to be a genius or prodigy.

why not let them specialise in arts based subjects...who says it's "faffing"?? We'd be buggered without art!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Unless she goes private never going to happen as it would negatively interfere with league tables (if I have understood English system correctly?)

[seeker]

"I know this. I see it. She's like me"

[SilverCharm]

I am 99.99% sure that my DD1 won't go into anything maths or science based. I am also sure that she will study an arts based subject at uni.

I know it. I know it because she's only interested in those things! If her maths and science was "kept up" to a decent level still, then she DID turn out to suddenly become passionate about it, well she could still study it at A Level.

I don't see why an 8 year old can't display "leanings" that are trustworthy....

[MrsTerryPratchett]

But there are hundreds of arts based careers where you don't need to be a genius or prodigy Name a few that aren't highly competitive or badly paid or you really need the maths and English skills. I can't think of any.

[seeker]

We need maths and science to understand the world. And we need people who understand the world!

I think science shou,d be compulsory to school leaving age- I think it is in France. Seems an excellent idea!

[MrsTerryPratchett]

seeker maybe that would ensure less people running around who are "bad at thinking" I'm looking at you Creationists.

[SilverCharm]

MrsTerry teaching, set design, makeup design, filmography, media (in many different forms) you can say they're competitive but so are ALL career paths....having excellent maths isn't going to secure you a job.

Having a confident child who has excelled at school and whose strengths have been encouraged could do though.

[germyrabbit]

my son did hardly any art at primary, was all numeracy and literacy - we seem to take alot of the fun out of education at such an early age now

[SilverCharm]

How old is your son germy?

[WorraLiberty]

She's only 8yrs old and you sound as though you've written her off regarding Maths and Science

Please don't do this.

Help her, encourage her and believe in her. If you don't, then how can she believe in herself?

There's plenty of time for the arty farty stuff in Senior school once she's got a grip on the subjects she's struggling with.

[WilsonFrickett]

Where are all these hundreds of arts based jobs where you don't need to be a genius or prodigy? Are you suggesting that arts jobs aren't as competitive as other jobs? Because to that I say 'hahahahahahahaha' in a hollow fashion. To excel in any career you need to have a broad base of knowledge.

[SilverCharm]

I remember LONGING for an art class in primary....really longing and hardly ever getting any. High school was a relief because at least art was regular and I knew when it would be....so could look forward to those days.

I was that way at 8 and stayed that way. I do work in the arts, so does DH and numerous uncles and aunts of my DC do too.

Yes she could rebel...and become a biologist...but it's highly unlikely. She loves art with a passion. Art, writing, sculpture, gardening. That's what she enjoys and I feel that what you enjoy should be your career path.

[WilsonFrickett]

I just saw 'teaching' is down as one of these arts jobs that doesn't require maths or science or any of the hard stuff.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I'm not talking about excellent maths, I'm talking about basic maths. Which most of those jobs require. They are competitive. i know lots of people in creative jobs and there are two kinds... Badly paid, scraping by, struggling or lucky, lucky people who happened to get something amazing. The second set were no more talented than the first set, except at schmoozing, and they are very few and far between.

She has plenty of time to specialise. And, actually, trying hard and making small successes at difficult things will result in a confident child. Giving up anything that is hard, will not.

[squeakytoy]

OP, did you fail at maths and science yourself? Are you projecting this onto your own child, because that is how you are coming across.

You may think you see yourself in her, but really you ought to be giving her encouragement in the subject that she struggles in, rather than mapping her future out for her before she has even had a chance to think what SHE might like to do - and believe me, at 8, she really does not know what there is out there.