To wish parents appreciated their kids’ education more?

[MayasJamas]

Another meet up with middle class parents last night, another inevitable diatribe about how the education system teaches kids nothing but how to pass exams.

As a teacher, I bite my tongue. I truly wish parents could see what young people are actually learning. How the world works (scientifically, sociological, ethically). How to question what they read and hear. How to draw, write, speak, listen. How in English, even in GCSE lessons, we regularly discuss the deepest of human issues: war, love, injustice, misogyny, kindness, religion, prejudice.

I completely agree that the GCSE system is flawed and too much pressure. I have a Y11 child myself and it is too much. But it seems to be a middle class hobby to slag off everything that schools and teachers are trying to do. It’s ironic because, generally speaking, these privileged children are the ones who will benefit most from the education system their parents deride. They’ll go on to study subjects they enjoy at A Level and uni, to have rewarding careers in whatever field they choose. They literally couldn’t do that without education. Generally speaking, teachers and schools are also trying to make those opportinities available to all. I teach underprivileged kids who want to become brain surgeons and journalists and politicians. Education will help them to do that.

But no. ‘It’s just a memory test’. ‘They’re not learning anything relevant to real life’. I don’t want a medal btw, but AIBU to think parents are quick to shit on the system that is actually (on the whole) enriching the lives of their kids?

I'd just be happy if they stopped bombarding us with demanding emails making mountains out of molehills.

You sound like a lovely teacher. Not every teacher is like that and some schools really do focus purely on passing exams and getting the highest grades. I say this as someone who’s worked in lots of different schools.

I'm very appreciative of DCs school, teachers and the effort they go to but am I baffled by some of the things they have to learn. DC1 is in Year 3 and there's a big emphasis on handwriting - why? I can't remember the last time I wrote something that wasn't a quick shopping list or a to do list so why are we getting 7yos to do joined up writing? Are there many jobs as calligraphers?

I agree with you, although it's not my experience. Generally most of my social group are saying 'well done to the teachers who are managing 30 of them!' We are primary age though and maybe the narrative changes at secondary, especially near exams.

DS was an early reader and is great at Maths. He started Reception already knowing a lot of the infant curriculum. He still learnt absolutely loads at school. Some of this was content e.g. learning about Shanghai or why we have vaccinations. Other things were social e.g. negotiation, managing disappointment, having the confidence to stand up in assembly and speak.

I don't remember lots of what I studied at GCSE, however I learnt how to study, apply myself, explain my point verbally/in writing. I also use aspects of what I learnt in everyday life.

You need to separate the system from the individual teachers. Criticising the education system doesn't mean that people don't recognise how hard teachers work, even teachers get frustrated with the system they are working in and the standardised testing. At primary school level where there's pressure to complete phonics screening and SATS, which are of zero benefit to the children and are just for the government's stats. The lack of resources in the system to meet the needs of SEND children. The limited pathways for children who aren't academic. The system is failing a lot of children. It's also failing a lot of teachers by putting them under so much pressure.

I can see why it seems baffling. I would say that quite a few kids get to Y9/10/11 and you cannot read their writing. Teachers need to be able to read their work, and we can’t. But beyond that, if they want to go on to further study (making notes in lectures, for eg), or work in a field where they need to write by hand eg a plumber doing an invoice in a house - or write letters to loved ones even - they’ll need legible handwriting. I guess one could argue that everything’s done electronically so why do they need to write clearly, why don’t schools just use devices. But then we have the issue of supplying every school kid with a device, that they will keep charged, not break or lose. How to pay for that? And do we really want kids sitting writing on screens all day? It’s pretty complex. Personally I think writing clearly is a lovely skill to have, and encourages a person to take care generally with what they are writing. But I get what you are saying!

People need decent handwriting. Sometimes it is important and people need to be able to read it. Your child may become a nurse or a doctor or anything else
where somebody needs to read your notes. If you have good handwriting you will take down notes quickly too.
Good post OP.

Your friends/family/acquaintances are rude to badmouth schools in your presence.

for me the immense pressure of the testing and memorising far outweighs the other good things going on in secondary education. I blame governments for that, not teachers.

‘to have rewarding careers in whatever field they choose’: probably not the case, for most, now.

Totally agree re SATS. There’s so much pressure on primaries to get good results, that the data we get passed on to secondary is often absolute bobbins.

Good point re separating the system from the schools/teachers. Most of us are trying to more than teach to the test! But we also want our students to do well in the test, so they can have bright futures.

Well, I guess, to have the potential to pursue rewarding careers in whatever field they choose. Not to have that door closed to them.

I was literally about to start a thread on this . I've been teaching secondary for 30 years and am increasingly disillusioned with the system I am part of. I agree with a pp who said yoj need to separate the system from the teachers and not take it personally. I completely agree that the system is now about what can be tested and measured easily instead of what would allow 21st century kids to thrive.

At heart Im a Luddite and do think those basic skills of writing clearly still need to be taught but as a parent amd teacher of ND kids as well as NT I would like to swe a secondary curriculum that is max 25% compulsory numeracy and literacy, 25% IT skills, politics, sociology and finance, non assessed and 50% from y10 onward a series of self directed, EPQ style projects undertaken in timetabled sessions with teacher supervision and guidance but not imparting knowledge.
Each project would have to meet a criteria of including some maths, some science, some creative elements etc. My dd is currently renovating a dolls house. We talked about how that could cover maths and budgeting, working out areas of rooms, materials needed. Literacy, writing up and presenting the project. Science, researching and installing lights and a water feature. DT and textiles and art on the renovation and decor. It could extend into a history off shoot about the period the house is being styled as. Geog / more science on a sustainable home. IT , using CAD or even Sims to model the desired outcome.

There could be a number of 'off the shelf' projects to choose from or bespoke, approved b y the school. Marking is internal woth moderation like coursework still is in A level history. Grades are pass, merit, distinction.

For those who want a very academic route, scope for them to focus on a narrow but deep range to allow progression to further study. We live in a work where a traditional route through A levels and uni is no longer a guarantee and where jobs at the end of that route are less available. If far fewer people are going to choose that route, let's open it up much earlier.

I voted YABU because it is too simplistic and you are doing the classic blaming a “class” of people. As the teacher PP says, the system seems to be what can be measured so perhaps those parents are not wrong to complain if this is what they see. However, from what you describe, maybe it is a lack of communication between the school and parents.
Sometimes you (not personally) need to signpost to pupils and parents broadly what the curriculum is and what is being covered.

My gut says decent handwriting is important but I don’t know why. Aren’t doctors notorious of having illegible writing.? Fortunately everything is electronic from what I have seen in GPs and hospitals.

Hospital bedside notes are still handwritten in a lot of cases.
You have to write on the side of sample bottles etc.
You will not have an electronic device in all circumstances.
One day we may have a severe outage/power cut.

I think teachers are amazing and completely undervalued and underpaid. And thank you!

I think teachers are amazing and they go above and beyond their role in my daughter's school. What I don't like is the silly rules schools have that don't have any impact on learning. Like who cares if your hair is pink and you have 3 earrings. Or if your skirt is short. I like uniforms but obsessing about minor details just seems counter productive to me. They're teenagers, let them express themselves!

I truly wish parents could see what young people are actually learning. How the world works (scientifically, sociological, ethically). How to question what they read and hear. How to draw, write, speak, listen. How in English, even in GCSE lessons, we regularly discuss the deepest of human issues: war, love, injustice, misogyny, kindness, religion, prejudice.

I think the problem then is that parents don’t see this. They see the stress before tests etc

Sample bottles had printed labels with barcodes, matched to my blood form. Much safer. Appreciate this may not be ubiquitous currently but are bound to be by the time the current cohort are working.

Yes, power outage could be a problem and I am not suggesting that children should stop writing altogether- I think most exams are still hand written.
However, in adult life the need for handwriting is so limited - I am sure most (yes, not all!) of us would struggle to write a page legibly and without muscle fatigue.

I think it is rude of parents (whatever class they are) to criticise schools in front of you, as it is bound to feel personal. I don’t think they’re unreasonable to have their own views on the education system (surely it’s that they’re criticising, not the teachers themselves?) based on the pressure they’re seeing being placed on their own children.

I agree with you! I love our school and am deeply appreciative of the education it provides. Thanks for your work!!!

There’s also a lot of research now showing the link between handwriting and memory etc

But exams are a memory test arnt they !

Personally my friends are all generally positive about our children’s school experience and individual teachers. The exceptions are friends who have children with additional needs who have to wait ages for assessment and struggle to find a solution. I’m sorry if you friends are being tactless.

@WhereHasMyPlanetGone but why?

Op isn't responsible for the curriculum surely ? She hasn't made it soley exam based when many students can't handle them ?
It's not personal.

The problem with that is that people don’t like a ‘divide’. A-levels will always be seen as the gold standard and if any child chooses the options you suggest they will likely be seen as not as good. It is sad but that seems to be the way education works in this country. I am all for children from 14 opting out of academic education completely and doing trades. I have never worked out why every child need to do GCse’s if they are going to be of absolutely no use to them. Let them get educated in a different way.