So Mumsnetters if YOU were in charge what would you do differently?

[Peapodlovescuddles]

If you were in charge of the education system what would you change?
I think I'd have more state school which go all the way through, I'd have formal education start at 6 (but everyone would be entitled to free nursery care from 2) and ks3 would be single sex lessons.

Because lets face the system isn't working at the moment and I really do think a group of parents probably could organise a better one than old men in Whitehall

kiddies would start later, as they do in the states and also like mainland europe.

also, they would leave later, as at the moment we have a fair few 16yr olds leaving school, not going into further education and also not having the maturity to hold down a job......so ending up walking the streets and getting into trouble.

If they stayed until they were 18, for one they would have slightly more maturity, and also they should know themselves better to know which job path to take.

that is the prob with many 16yo I think......they aren't yet in the headspace to know which job to suit them as their hormones are still raging and they are still to cross with the world to make their own right choices!!

also, a lot still think that they know best and we parents are all old fuddy duddys who know nuffin

person social education in secondary schools would be deleted - what a pike of SHIT

kids would concentrate on maths english and science until they had a GCSE which should be taken in or before YEAR 3

from Year 3 THE ACADEMICS they would be encouraged to take one a-level and then concentrate on other GCSEs of their choice. PE would no longer be compulsory neither would RE

if a child failed an average yearly grade of "c" in all subjects they had taken then they would have to re -sit their year

lets see how fucking funny pissing around in class is when all your mates have fucked off up a year

FOR the non academics - year three would see the start of an intensive vocational course - with the new and i agree good principle of keeping children at school until they are 18 - we will vocationally teach to a v. high and respected standard.

made up GCSEs like "leisure & tousism - would be deleted

"business studies" what a pile of wank - deleted and only to be taken as an additional a-level with the view to going to university to studybusiness studies - for the thicker acedemics who cant get a proper degree.

no child leaves school until they have a GCSE in english maths and science. thats the basics

more teachers resources etc etc

"old men in Whitehall..."

the Departmental Board is made up of 4 men and 3 women. The majority of teachers are women. So..

get rid of the gramer school system that still exists in some counties, meaning that if your child doesn't get into the grammar school the other options are shite

Is this in an ideal world with no restriction on investment?

No faith schools.

Abolish league tables.

You go to your local school - no more "choice". Every school has the right number of classrooms for the catchment.

Every school has a music room.

Enough books to go round.

Get back to basics and teach reading, writing and arithmetic properly.

Abolish shit poncy subjects like Leisure & Tourism and all that sort of thing.

More options other than GCSE - no point putting non-academic kids through academic exams. A strong economy needs a mix of skills and successive governments of all colours have failed to recongnise this. Also acknowledge the fact that some people go to school to learn and not to prepare for a job.

Streaming in Maths, English, languages and science.

Strict expulsion policies. If a kid makes it clear he doesn't want to be in school, kick him out. Don't waste my child's time sorting out the troublemakers.

More support, value and respect generally for teachers.

Ofsted to be more flexible and get away from the stupid idea that there has to be an "average", which is then used as a stick to beat the below-average. Look at what the teachers are actually doing with the material they have.

Oh, and I want grammar schools. Thanks.

I agree with unquiet dad about grammar schools but what about starting at 14 for GCSEs, not just on one days worth of tests but a thought through decision made by schools, child, teacher and parents?
Other kids could go and learn vocations etc If you're going to be a builder a GCSE in media or attempting an A level/gnvq in maths isn't going to help you...

Second all UQD's suggestions but add more "Life skills classes" on a basic level in Primary & in more detail in Secondary.

At random some are.....

Basic food hygiene & nutrional awareness,but from a fun angle, trying out different foods & learning basic cooking frorm scratch (both sexes)

HOW to get from a to b safely using public transport ( ll forms)& it's costs

Basic road safety awareness, progressing to driving lessons for 6 formers including a visit to a crash test centre to show them the effects of speeding & dangerous driving. Oh & the morgue for the same reason.

Oh don't get me started.............

You'd get on with my brother, bb - he is a driving examiner and has long been a champion of kids having driving/car awareness lessons in schools.

Oh yes Peapod-more hands on course, bricklaying/plumbing /car mechanics but also with a course in bookeeping & accounts for the practical students, marketing &local advertising for small business etc so that tey can actually RUN their business in the real world. I know SO many brilliant tradesmen who are CRAP at their book work & therefore don't capitilise on their skills!

Smaller class sizes made obligatory every time!