DC1 starts primary this year. We're deciding between a local state primary and a local independent school. Both are equally convenient in terms of school run. We liked both a lot when we looked round - got a good feeling, etc. Kids seemed happy. Teachers nice. Facilities good.
The independent isn't a 'prep' type school that teaches them Latin at 6, but rather one based on an educational ethos that claims to foster and promote children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Lots of outdoor-based learning, etc. The notion being that the national curriculum, SATs, and the ways that teachers have to teach (to the test, etc) quashes children's innate curiosity and makes school a chore. Our decision between the two schools basically comes down to this rather abstract difference - that the indie school fosters curious, independent confident children whereas the state option doesn't (not because it's not a good school or the teachers aren't good, but because of the system in which it has to function). It's making it impossible to decide - it's something that seems impossible to actually measure, or prove, but at the same time, I suppose, it's really fundamental, and important.
So, I'm wondering how much it's actually true? Does the state primary system wear them down? Have your children had their innate curiosity quashed by school? Or do they bounce off to school every morning, keen as mustard?
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Does the national curriculum quash children's natural love of learning and curiosity?
42 replies
Closetlibrarian · 13/01/2017 15:05
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