What would you like to see taught in schools that currently isn't?

[EllieRosesMammy]

I'd like cooking to be taught, when I was in school it was taught till year 9 and then optional after that. Plus when it was taught we were making something like scones or bread - not something you'd make every day.

I've met so many grown adults who can't cook and waste a fortune on crap and takeaways, I think teaching people basic cooking skills throughout school would help to prepare them for when they move out :)

More emphasis on creative subjects, things humans will still be needed for once robots can so everything else.

Natural science from a young age, identification of common species etc

More emphasis on speaking and listening skills opposed to just reading and writing.

Community, philosophy, world history as well as British, fundraising starting young.

Maybe you should try talking to the school or changing government policy instead of referring to teachers as "these people".

Child development / psychology.
The number of posts you see on MN where it's "H shouts at our two year old and says why can't he remember not to ... Whatever", all the posts going "child hates me"
Think how much better the whole country would be if young children were all given loving, consistent, appropriate care. Break the chain where neglected kids have children they have no idea how to care for.

And swimming!

Common sense ! I work with several nurses who have graduated in the last 2 years. They’ve got top A Level grades, 1st class degrees, aspirations of an MSc, and lots of theoretical knowledge, but not an ounce of common sense. Many of the SEN & auxiliary nurses I worked with years ago (many without any academic qualifications) had loads of common sense. Somethings going wrong.

Agree with this (although BIL gave a talk to year 12s on marketing the other day, so to some degree it's happening).

Also more focus on vocational careers, apprenticeships and options outside of Uni. May differ school to school but mine was so fixated on everyone going Uni that I was granted special exclusion from 6th form assemblies as I knew I wasn't going and all they talked about for a full year was UCAS forms

It's interesting that people often moan about maths and how children have to learn stuff they'll never use. The fact is that many can't apply what they learn. Adding, percentages and compound interest are taught in school for example.

Personally I worry if all these extra things are introduced because children need to be taught to learn, think and apply not just told this is how a pension works, this is how a credit card works. I'm sure many teachers use these as examples when teaching percentages/interest.

I appreciate many parents aren't doing their job in general life skills development but it is not the job of teachers to fill this gap and the education system should not move more towards providing general life education.

PLEASE GOD YES.

I would love for people to be caught common sense, especially some of the people I work with 😂

Yes yes to common sense, although I'm not sure it's something that can be taught?

I've worked with people (colleagues and clients) who display so little of it I've genuinely pondered how they've achieved the age they are.

This happens.
Schools have a statutory responsibility to implement the Gatsby Benchmarks which includes links with employers as well as lots of other careers related stuff.

I would also add 'how to understand that you are responsible for the choices you make in life' and 'it's not everyone's fault but yours' lessons to the mix.

I’d say the opposite, that there should be more languages taught in schools and schools, especially primary and pre school.
French was by far the most useful subject for me. It led to me doing Erasmus (university exchange programme), which gave me experiences, contacts and career opportunities I could never have had otherwise.
Exposure to other countries and cultures is good in so many ways and shouldn’t be only for kids whose families can afford to go abroad.

First Aid

Also more focus on vocational careers, apprenticeships and options outside of Uni. May differ school to school but mine was so fixated on everyone going Uni that I was granted special exclusion from 6th form assemblies as I knew I wasn't going and all they talked about for a full year was UCAS forms

This is also happening the the Baker Clause. It's a legal requirement and something Ofsted look
at.

Sign language should be taught as standard.

Cookery should be taught properly from the early years, more than just assembling fruit kebabs or making the occasional pizza.

Financial wisdom is just not taught, and should be. The small print ( or increasingly the 'fast talk') should not be an impenetrable nonsense to most people .

I wish people knew what is actually taught in schools before sounding off on these threads. Careers, writing CVs, budgeting, mortgages etc are already taught as part of the PSHE/IDP curriculum. It’s compulsory for schools to provide careers advice and guidance, they can’t opt out of it.

@brookstar That's good to know. My nephew is absolutely buzzing to start catering college in the Autumn having just done his GCSEs. Bloody hard work but amazing opportunities if he sticks at it, I'm glad his school (as well as his parents) have supported him in his choice. Mine would have insisted a degree was necessary.

@GiantCheeseMonster Bear in mind that not every respondent has kids that age or is in education. PSHE was a handful of hours in year 11 only when I was at school in the olden days.

Glad to hear it's now apparently more prominent.

Agree with cookery. In some countries kids are more involved in making their own lunch at school - it’s practical, develops skills and creates more healthy attitudes to food.

But why comment on a thread asserting that something should be taught in schools “that currently isn’t” without first checking in cast it is? 🤔 Some posters would be very surprised about the diverse topics schools teach. It’s fine not to know but not to just assume it’s not happening.

How to write a letter ! ( well I suppose emails now )

I remember being taught how to write a formal letter with use of yours sincerely, yours faithfully.

I'm glad to hear that PSHE is taught more now than it was back when I was in school (I left in 2011), I found it really interesting and helpful :)

Again. Letter-writing is taught in English. Writing a formal letter is a possible exam question on the GCSE English Language paper. If what you’re actually meaning is “these topics are really important for kids to learn” - yep, agree. But if commenting on this thread means you think they’re not currently taught, then please have a quick look at the National Curriculum and GCSE specs.

I would like to see more about the problems the British Empire created - I think it would reduce racism and help with acceptance and integration of immigrants.

I’m getting my coat.

Naughtylittleflea I refer you to the History syllabus and also to the anti-colonial content of English Literature. “Checkin’ Out Me History” by John Agard is a set poem.

😂😂