Do you think that schools are okay?

[applejane11]

When I was in school, I remember absolutely hating school. I like learning. What I hated was the constant feeling of being in a prison, having no freedom. Having to sit for 7 hours a day and not speak. Having no say at all in most things. Constantly being controlled. I remember every morning, feeling dread when I woke up to go in.

I now actually work in a school in an admin position. Ive worked in lots of different companies. Now im in a school. I hear the teenagers say the same things all the time. They hate it, they feel like they are in prison, that it is awful, that they feel depressed every day, that all their young life is wasted. I also have to say, I definitely see school teachers abuse their power over the students. Not in a way that you could say is definitely abuse, but just in a way where you can see that they are really loving having power and control over the teenagers.

Do you think that schools are okay the way that they are? Teenagers don't have a lot of say in things or a lot of human rights, so it's adults that need to have the conversation about it.

It's not about understanding a specific sector, it's about understanding how the world of work works, especially now. I despair that kids are expected to use Microsoft tools in their work without any understanding of proper usage, they're not trained how to present material to be clear, concise and answering the question; how to debate or reinforce their view in a way that would be acceptable in a work meeting, etc.
Having worked recently in the public and private sectors, I agree that we are not equipping kids for the world of work as it has been for the last 10 years, let alone how to adapt to how AI is changing it (which I suspect won't be incorporated into how/ what we teach kids for at least another decade).

I think it’s a perfect storm of no time off from friendship issues due to social media and no time of from learning due to high expectations and technology meaning the curriculum/homework is always present.

Aspirant exams are one thing but it means that only a few reach the top grades. The reading age of the language and literature GCSEs for instance is 17 and most schools start drilling in year 9.

I’m not saying it’s wrong to drive up standards but, is it working with so much poor mental and physical health? To me, we’ve returned to the workhouse mentality with the working classes punished.

I’m not suggesting being a child and adult in a school is remotely similar - that’s not what I meant at all!! As educators we are meant to be preparing our students for what comes next, to take their place as adult citizens. A narrow curriculum focussed on exam results doesn’t do that. We need a much stronger personal development curriculum, greater focus on oracy and communication, and input from employers and employees on current labour market needs.

True and mine seem to have got over any bumps in road but many don’t. I think if the friendship issues were removed (impossible I know), school would be enjoyable for all kids.

Define; 'Constantly controlled.'

Because, from the perspective of someone from a dysfunctional background, that could simply mean; there are rules to follow.

You missed her point.

That poster was saying that teenagers should be taught things that are more useful for the world of work. Or even useful for life.

Learning Shakespeare plays is nice, but doesn't prepare most people for a lot of the world of work

Dont recognise this at all from my teens descriptions of their very very average state school in an urban area.
Theres lots of low level disruptive behaviour my teen finds annoying, but he doesn't have any particular issues with the teachers, the odd one has a day when they are in a bad mood and get more cross at the kids but that's about it?
Tbh i often think his school sounds pretty much exactly the same as my secondary school was in the late 90's....just with a lot more kids supposedly 'anxious' or needing reasonable adjustments.

One example: A girl told me that she was not allowed to go to the bathroom to change her period pad.

Depends on which schools. My daughter’s school doesn’t appear to be as you describe, but watching the panorama report about overly strict schools, I’d assume there are some which are really not good places for children.

Are you suggesting lots of kids should get the top grades? What would be the point of the 'top' grades if loads got them? The point is they are supposed to demonstrate that those kids have exceptional skill/ability in those subject areas.... If lots had the top grades they just wouldn't be meaningful.

Yes quite sure.

My son did 11 GCSEs last year, all exam based, all 7-9 grades. No coursework.

He’s taking 4 A-Levels, also no coursework, exam based only.

My DD is currently studying for GCSEs, will sit them next year, no coursework, all exam based.

They are both in selective state grammar schools, not sure if this makes a difference.

I honesty think a lot of things that go on in schools are bordering on child abuse. And its been that way for a while.

I remember when I was in school, my geography teacher would make us all stand up. He would then ask us all questions from recent topics that we had covered. He wouldn't let us sit down until we got an answer right.

This meant that people that struggled with the subject were constantly embarassed in front of everyone else.

It meant that often the same two students were left standing for a lot of the classes.

You are definitely projecting.

It depends on the school. Some schools are wonderful and nurturing places without petty rules. Others are the opposite

With inexperienced teachers, things like this are tricky. The law and letter; Children cannot leave class to go to the loo. It's a safeguarding issue. Can you imagine if 1400 children are told they can go to the loo whenever they want in lessons!? It would be pandemonium. It would also be open to a variety of possible methods of abuse of varying severity.

Off the record, all teachers should be allowed discretion for this. It's where my own tactic of effort showing respect plays benefit. If you are new to the profession and balancing everything. There is a stat I heard somewhere, could be crap, that teachers make more decisions ever second then surgeons.... So, if a kid is asking to use the loo while they are still figuring out how to deal with the many other things that need prioritising, least of all other students pleading unfairness that this kid gets to go while they cannot. They will fall back on the law and letter.

Any other examples?

You're not even reading my posts. That is one example. I have given lots of other examples, that have happened to other people.

Maybe actually enter the discussion instead of just being rude

Not all schools are like this but there are a lot that are. Michaela Academy led the movement to ultra strict schools. Firm and fair boundaries are very important but a punitive environment isn’t. Lessons are increasingly scripted to deskill experienced teachers and commoditise children. It’s not good.

You've undone yourself with "when I was in school...."

Toilets and schools have been done to death on here. My only comment is that teachers can't go either.

The panorama documentary was 90% the policy that I've experienced in schools aside from the tracking the teacher thing which does sound extreme. The rest was perfectly normal and breeds compliant kids with clear boundaries and consequences for their actions.

I'm talking about teenagers. Teenagers can leave the class to go to the loo.

But they only seem to be allowed to do it when the teacher decides. Which is on a case by case basis.

I have heard numerous times from students about their period starting and they haven't been allowed to use the bathroom

Teenagers are children. And, with the temptations they have without the experience/maturity necessary to always make wise decisions the point regarding safeguarding is even more essential.

The rule is there to ensure safety, this is the first priority of any teacher.

Undone myself. How exactly? You don't want me to write about my own experience at school. Why is that?

The abuse that I saw at my school wasn't directed at me. I wrote about abuse that I saw directed at other students.

I have never heard the teenagers in my school ever being referred to as children.

I did a quick google search on it. This is what came up.

Teenagers are generally not considered traditional children, but rather adolescents—an intermediate group between childhood and adulthood spanning ages 13 to 19.

Are you sure you work in a school?

I was replying to the poster who wrote '

'children can't leave class to go to the bathroom. It's a safeguarding issue'.

She seems to think that we are talking about younger children.

As teenagers are definitely allowed to leave the class to go to the bathroom

Isn’t it the kids job to hate school? Sure some people like it but doubt they’d admit it! My DD was a studious rule abiding A star student and she would also say she hated school, as would my non academic rule breaking son, who saw school as a social club. But I think both look back, particularly to junior school with a certain nostalgia. And of course once they have to hold down a job and pay bills the free and easy days of no responsibility other than a bit of homework and long holidays takes on a different hue!