What would your ideal education system be like?

[MotherofInvention]

I grew up in Scandinavia in the 1970s, where most kids went to kindergarden or just knocked around at home with a SAHPs or grandparents until the age of 7. We all went to neighbourhood state school because there weren't any private ones. There was no pressure to move to get into the 'right' school, no hectic traffic-ridden school run as we all went to a local school which was walkable, no uniforms and no grades or exams until we were 13. I loved it, and would prefer my kids to experience something similar.

Every single parent I've met in the UK has concerns about their children's schooling, especially about starting them at 3 or 4. And it seems many teachers feel the same way - have a look (and listen) here: Call to start school at age six

So if you were PM for a day or two in charge of the education system, what would you change, if anything?

apostrophe I'm not sure all teachers are in it for the money (I was earning more in my previous career than in teaching but find this far more rewarding).

I teach reception and the children who arrived in my class in September were unable to read anything and most were unable to write their names. Two terms on and all are reading and most are able to write a few sentences. This is with a class of thirty children. Could I do the same with a class of 40 children? I doubt it!

Given the choice between a pay rise and smaller class sizes I think you would find most teachers would choose the later. It would save our sanity and be much better for the children in our care.

I agree there are people in teaching who are unsuitable not because their qualifications aren't good enough but because they just don't understand children. An unrelated degree, no matter that it is a first, followed by a PGCE won't guarantee a good teacher.

OK teachers have children in school for 5 hours a day for 5 days a week for 36 weeks a year but parents have them for 19 hours a day for 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year so perhaps any blame for failure needs to be shared just as any praise for success should be educating children should be a partnership.

Great list, piscesmoon. So - what do we do now - march on Westminster? Not that many of them would care, I suppose, seeing as they're all educating their children privately, right ?

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Totally agree Bloss.

I keep hoping that BoffinMum will come on and suggest any research on that issue.

I disagree that the NHS is a third world health system. Compared to what I've seen elsewhere, including in Scandinavia and in very poor countries, the UK actually has quite amazing state healthcare. And that's certainly always been my personal experience.

I do think that having two parallel systems - be it for healthcare or education - is socially divisive. Ultimately, the private will undermine the state system due to brain drain, lack of resources, unfair advantage, etc etc.

Which is a crying shame as these are the two things that really matter to absolutely everyone, everywhere.

Unfortunately MotherofInvention there is no money for my system-and never will be! The government keeps giving us studies to show that large classes are just as good, or better than small ones.
If I could have just one thing from my list it would be smaller classes, and if I were to pay for private education that is the thing that I would be paying for.
I don't think that qualifications make that much difference to whether a teacher is good or not, apostrophe. Someone can have a first from Cambridge and still be a lousy teacher. I think that the pay would have to go up to attract more men and also we have to stop viewing men who want to work with young DCs with suspicion. I know a male reception teacher and he is great-he just has an entirely different approach.

Should have made clear - I was interested in first part of Bloss' post.

NHS is a bit off-piste for me.

[Still hopefully looking about for BoffinMum.]

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