Schools in the UK

[Bobajob02]

I grew up in the UK but live abroad now and my kids are in school over here. Are schools in the UK really as bad as they sound? Isolation, insane school uniform rules, detentions for the slightest misdemeanour. Not being able to take kids out of school during term time. Piled on top of that loads of exam pressure from a young age.

Do kids actually enjoy school in the UK? Is it ok if they are bright and toe the line? What about those who don’t fit the mould? Does this approach improve children’s outcomes (not just academic, but also in terms of well-being)?

Yes. There is no UK education system

I didn't write the article. Are you getting all mixed up as you don't live in Scotland? You do realise that the UK isn't a country?

I worked in Education...

Are Grammars not state schools?

This is my experience too.

DS1 Y8 loves (mainstream comprehensive) school and takes part in loads of clubs. He has ASD/ADHD and thrives on the predictability. School/behaviour etc. is excellent (I teach there!).

DS2 Y5 at a little village school, loves it, does forest school and has fun every day.

I have no experience of grammar schools. It’s interesting to hear that they can exclude at whim, unlike other the state school I work in.

Which is what I posted. So I agree.

And? The data and unions say Scottish education isn't in a good place. Are you saying they are wrong?

👏👏

Very clear thanks. You're making assumptions, I work in education too.

You seem to be claiming that Scottish education is improving? Apart from that 1 link there is no evidence that I can find to support you

My son's state comprehensive seem to suspend and exclude a lot. Offsted downgrade them for it but most people are happy with the situation.

No. Because I read the article and agree that a lot of the problems have arisen through inclusion. But it wasn't the Scottish Government which closed ASN schools. That happened before devolution. It was the UK Government. We merely inherited that decision. Which, imo, was wrong.

Do grammar schools get marked down for excluding too? I had no idea that grammar schools had different rules to the majority of state schools in terms of expulsion and suspensions

You see this is what really really riles me about Scottish education. If they said:

Yes the attainment results have jumped off a cliff since the we - SNP - got to power and we clearly need to ditch the curriculum for excellence as it clearly failing; and

Yes violence has risen exponentially and we have no idea how to do anything about it and letting schools permanently remove violent kids would be too expensive so just take cover when the chairs are being flung;

then at least they would be being honest. Instead the Scottish government pretend everything is peachy, rather than admitting the absolute shit show Scottish education has become. It’s infuriating. We have eyes and ears you know. We are sentient beings. Parents, kids and teachers all know it’s totally unacceptable.

The Scottish government could try reopening them? Like the one that has closed last month because local governments cannot afford to send kids there as the Scottish government keep stealing local government funds to spaff on shite like useless bottle recycling schemes and overpriced ferries. This country is so badly run.

We are closing the attainment gap. Because we have no tuition fees we have increasing numbers of pupils from deprived backgrounds going to University. Our higher results get better every year. More young people are going to positive destinations be that FE or apprenticeships or work. Just google it all. The Scottish Government website is a good place to start.

We also don't have the two tier system of Grammars and Academies. We just have state schools that every young person in the catchment gets a place in as well as children of parents who might want them in a school maybe nearer their work or grandparents e.g..

Most of the pressure on teachers is due to inclusion.

Exactly

No it wouldn't be being honest. Which school do you work in or which ones have you worked in?

With what? Buttons? We have a fixed budget and can't borrow. Which school closed last month? A state school?

😂

Ah OK so you are the whitewashing variety. Other posters on here beg to differ with you.
BBC says attainment gap is widening "The attainment gap between Scotland's richest and poorest school pupils increased last year, according to new figures.
The Scottish government has said since 2015 that closing this gap - between the level of national qualifications obtained by children from the most affluent and the least affluent areas - is its priority.
But the latest figures show the difference has widened for pupils sitting National 4s, National 5s and Highers"

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy05880r55ko

I’m a parent who had to move a child from a Scottish state school because my child was getting their head kicked in on a daily basis. The police would charge the wee scrote and their mates regularly with assault. There are no consequences whatsoever for assault if you are U16 in Scotland apart from a letter home to their mum. The school weren’t allowed to permanently exclude them. My child was safe only the one week a month when the school weren’t allowed able to temporarily exclude them. Mine was not the only child attacked. Others were hospitalised.

That’s what happens when the Scottish government bans exclusion and bans teens who commit crimes from facing consequences. But it’s ok. The education secretary has told teachers if they give the bully a laminated piece of paper reminding them of their rights and responsibilities they’ll stop being violent. It’s laughable!

The poor headteacher at my kids school was in despair at the ridiculous rules imposed on him. Violent kids need to be removed. Safeguarding is failing - failing teachers and pupils alike.

The majority of secondary schools have an 'isolation' room, but a child wouldn't be sent there because they'd dropped a pen on the floor. It's a room, where children who can't regulate their emotions are sent to calm down, and have support. All schools will have children who struggle with behaviour, authority and rules - some schools will have a high proportion of children, some very low and others in between. The majority of schools have a uniform, which is generally more relaxed in primary schools but secondary schools are stricter. Yes, if you take your child out of school for a holiday, it's classed as an unauthorised absence and the local education authority will find the parents. My son is 15, and enjoys school.

Awful for Sen (ime) and yes ridiculous uniform/ rules/attendance . Very much one size fits all so if your not that style of learner tough luck. And huge focus on stuffing information in from a young age rather than trying to install a love of learning.

My eldest, extremely academic loved to learn did well and for the most part enjoyed school.

my middle child equally bright but struggled with the micromanaging and ridiculous rules so it affected her enjoyment of school and that impacted on her engagement. But overall did fine.

youngest is autistic, very bright and loves to learn but massively struggling with the classroom, the bullying, the lack of understanding of Sen he hates school.

You don't live here. Just because the state schools in your country are shite, according to you, doesn't mean ours are. I'm sorry that your children needed extra help so needed to go to a private school which you now can't afford. I'm glad I never had that dilemma. Mine's just went to local Secondary and are both now professionals. I hope you can find a way to help yours.