What is the schooling like in Australia?

[tinkertailorsoldiersailor]

We are thinking of relocating there but I have heard from many people that many of the schools are not very good; no ofsted so it is difficult to know when selecting and national curriculum very new.

I would like to know what your experience of child's school has been, particularly primary.

Thank you!

The semi-literate 15-year old who relocated from Sydney to our school in Auckland told me that he had learned more in the first year in NZ than in the previous 10 years at his "good" Aussie school. His English certainly improved beyond recognition in that 12 months.

My DD went to a selective private school in England before we moved to Oz two years ago.

I remember back in the Uk, tearing my hair out over her assignments. They were so challenging and demanding on a 11 year old girl. And in my opinion, totally over the top. The school sent 30% of graduates to Oxbridge so the pressure was high. 90% of the girls were rake thin and stressed out.

When we moved to Perth and DD started high school at 12, she was way ahead of everyone and was in every extension class. But, after 18 months, her classmates have caught up she can't coast anymore. She is still in extension classes, but that's for now.

What I love about the schools here are three things:

1. everyone has access to lots of sport. You don't have to be in the "A" team to participate. Literally everyone gets to play, and that's great.
2. from the age where kids get to choose their senior subjects, they have access to a lot of resources to consider career opportunities. Universities visit, the army/air force, big corporates - all come and give talks and give kids the chance to dream.
3. For kids who aren't academic, most schools have vocational courses supported by the school. So, you can carry on to 18 at school while studying to be a vet nurse (or mechanic, or other things) and having one day a week working at a vet practice. Kind of like the excellent YTS scheme we used to have in England. It give kids who aren't academic a good pathway to work.

My nephews are at private school in England, being groomed for Oxford and their lives seem miserable with tutors and study. I'm so glad we moved to Australia. My DD is so much happier and almost thanks me every day for having come here.

Lastly....sorry .... but, we went back to the Uk last Easter and most of DD's friends from her ex-school now go to parties (at 14) with alcohol and drugs and we were shocked. She has never been exposed to that here (yet).

Schooling here seems less academic than the UK (no Latin or Greek - oh my! how will the darlings cope?!) but they still learn what they need to and with a good balance of healthy, interpersonal skills.

My children thought they were crap. We left so mine could do GCSEs here. Eldest two point blank refuse to go back and the schooling is the number one reason why, there are others though. I think the universities are on par but the hsc or wace is quite limited.