To feel that the reasons some children don't do well at school, isn't because they don't try hard enough?

It depends what they get from studying such as positive praise from teachers, friends and parents. Some might get encouragement from grades. As time at secondary comes to an end having some vision as to work or higher ed also helps.
So my model school would be relatively small so that teachers and classmates are supportive almost like an extended family unit. Homework done in a study block and graded (even if by peers). Each course completed in 1/2 semester, with a graded mid term. None of this dragging stuff out for two years, depressing mock results before the material is covered bs.
option to begin trades training by 14.
Lots of focus and support with career/workplace options to motivate them to score well.

Parents who take education seriously and actually work with the school instead of took the attitude of constantly being judged may help

I found homework all but killed off the love of learning I had tried to teach DDs from a young age. And parents shouldn't have to help so much with homework, it shouldn't be homework for parents! We have enough actual work to do, to earn a fucking living! And in spite of having a post graduate qualification I wasn't able to help much with anything from Year 6 onwards.

I retained a love of learning in spite of school, not because of it. The GCSE years were as dull as fuck and are even worse now.

I don't think it's the kids, it's the parents who probably don't put in much effort to help them with their schoolwork and have never encouraged a love of learning. I see it all the time on here, people who think spending 10 minutes a day with their kids ob homework is too much and think it's should be all on the teachers. If your parents don't show any interest in learning, why would you

I'll happily spend 10 minutes helping DD with homework. DS will not spend 10 minutes with me. Never would.

If he put half the effort into formulating arguments in his English GCSE that he is currently putting into arguments as to why we he is not able to revise and we are not permitted to help in any way - he'd get a 9 for sure. We're interested all right. He's not.

I could have tried harder and done better technically (even though I did ok academically). But realistically I was doing my best at the time, because we aren't robots, and there are other things going on.

I was a secondary school teacher for 25 years.

I’d say for a lot of children they don’t work hard enough and they could do better at school. But school isn’t just about work. Socialising is equally important.

Some naturally work hard, but there a large number who coast.

I think it can be both.

I was (according to my reports) extremely capable... I just didn't focus or put enough effort in. Have since discovered I have ADHD.

Conversely my little one struggles academically and is working towards rather than meeting her targets.... but, my gosh, that kid tries. Every parents eve/report states she can not try any harder, she just finds it hard going.

We do the reading and spellings at home. She has the right attitude, we are just waiting for everything else to catch up. She has dyspraxia and dyslexia so we are working hard on improving her hand writing.

I don't think it's the kids, it's the parents who probably don't put in much effort to help them with their schoolwork and have never encouraged a love of learning. I see it all the time on here, people who think spending 10 minutes a day with their kids ob homework is too much and think it's should be all on the teachers. If your parents don't show any interest in learning, why would you

Some kids don't try but, even for that, it's hard to blame a kid who are still growing and learning and under the influence of parents and other factors.

My kids will certainly have genetic and environmental advantages over many kids in their classes. I see it as my duty to install a love of learning in my kids, to introduce some concepts early if I can so they have an advantage, to help them in areas where they're falling behind, to make sure they're on time every day fed and clothed and ready to learn. Even something simple as me not drinking alcohol while pregnant stopped them getting fetal alcohol syndrome which many kids will have undiagnosed and affecting their ability to learn.

Teacher of many years. Some children don’t try hard enough. My current year 11s are the laziest I’ve ever taught. They all have places in college next year and have been told they can resit English and Maths, so it’s not that important to them. They will write 50 words when they need 250.

it’s like offering unconditional offers at university - almost ruined year 13 for my son as half his class didn’t give a toss

Ffs had an idiot tell me this is why some kids don't do well, and that they cou,d of they tried hard enough

Yes, this is true.
Could be a myriad of reasons for why they didn’t try hard enough. Or none at all.

For some, no matter how hard they try, they will struggle in some/all aspects of school. Again, for a myriad of reasons.

I mean, I did badly in two subjects because I didn't listen or try, and just talked to my friends. Quite simply, I couldn't be bothered st the time, because I didn't like those lessons. It is definitely one reason, out of many.

@anonhop I didn't bother voting, for the reason you said.

Sure, YANBU, but we all know this don't we? Many reasons.

Having said that, I didn't do well at school because I fucked around the whole time and didn't try hard enough.

Can’t tell which way to poll as your title & first thread seem to contradict.

yes, some kids just don’t try hard enough (speaking for myself at school) to reach their full potential. Of course everyone has loads of factors influencing their motivation/ability/circs but at the end of the day, effort is required!