Gareth Malone

[hobbgoblin]

Anyone watching this programme on Thursday?

All about boys in school being challenged and experiencing 'danger' as far as I can tell. A bit Biddulph-esque perhaps?

My sons go to a school very like this. They love it, they learn lots. And it has an outstanding ofsted report.

I am looking forwrd to this, as mum of 2 boys, neither of whom are particulrly engaged at school and i bloody love gareth.
it is a theory I have long held.
And when I win the lottery, I am starting a rough and tumble school for quirky boys involving long walks, lots of exsercise, firm but kindness, plenty of food, swimming, tree climbing, fire-lighting and hill-rolling. Boysarelikedogs is going to be my headmistress....

I'm really looking forward to this too - because I love Gareth Malone! (Not ashamed to admit . I watched his community choir project and also his teenagers at Glyndeboure. I may just have a massive crush, but wow, it he charismatic or what?

I have two DSs also. One is more 'physical' and less inclined to knuckle down to academia than the other. Both are playful and energetic, and both only have me as parent 90% of the time. They probably miss out on a lot of opportunities, and school further dampens their boyish exuberance.

I try to let them play dangerous games, jump from high ledges, climb trees, try out parkour, etc. I object to sanitised and safe play and also fought with the Head to allow DS2 to walk to school with his older siblings.

I wish I had the cash to send them to a school that had a more open minded vision for children, never mind boys in particular.

DS1 really is being failed by state education in my opinion. I hope this programme doesn't make me mournful!

Tell me more about your boys' school Indigo...:)

mollyroger, if I win the lottery before you do I'll CAT you and ask you to help get this school set up

hobb, I know exactly what you mean about feeling mournful...
I'd home ed without a moment's hestitation if I could afford to give up work. They are so engaged when we are outside.

Nothing to do with being boys IMVHO. Everything to do with us missing the point when it comes to education. Plenty of teachers could do what Gareth Malone does if we were given unlimited budget and freedom - and focused on drawing children out rather than putting stuff in (to get x grades/numbers).

NO boys here, but a major crush on Gareth (shame 'bout the name though) so will be watching.

adair, you are right. But it is so sad and frustrating that some children are turned off learning though, because they asociate learning with being cooped up in a classroom, learning by rote, in order to answer formulaic exam questions.

They climb trees, they play outside at playtime (mid morning and lunchtime)come rain or shine (they have full waterproofs for when it's raining). They build tree houses and dens in the woods and have camp fires with hot chocolate when it's cold. I've often picked them up stinking of bonfires and covered in mud! They do PE everyday from year 3. Somehow they also find the time to do the academic stuff and the children really do seem to love it. The girls also seem to thrive there. They have just changed the uniform for the youngest children because the girls' kept getting their skirts caught on branches....

I agree with you to an extent Adair, but I would go further and say that state ed fails boys more than it does girls. That doesn't mean that I think boys have hugely different needs, but that perhaps girls are able to adapt better to what is on offer. I do also believe that boys' physical sense of self is ignored far too much in state school. I find in my own family that my thinking is borne out by what I see happening with my own mix of boys and girls. I am a Biddulph Believer mind!

I did Home Ed for a year mollyroger but couldn't afford the time or money to continue especially after my relationship broke down with then DP. I also like Steiner philosophy but worry that it may leave the DC under-equipped in certain areas, plus - again - the cost.

Agree 100%.

I'm going to make some of you ladies jealous and tell you that I have met Gareth Malone and he is indeed just as charming and lovely and charismatic in real life as on the telly and has absolutely no 'I'm-a-star-you-must-treat-me-as-such' attitude. I love the stuff he does so will be watching

Sorry, meant agree 100% with Mollyroger. I am not sure I buy that boys and girls have different abilities to adapt, more that girls are expected to adapt. Haven't quite worked out what I think on that matter, mostly that I feel it is doing children a disservice to 'expect' them to conform to any stereotype. Am passionate about the importance of state education - but if I was in charge it would look VERY different (sorry, can't do parragraphs at moment - ds smacked the computer. Yes, ds not dd. Though he is the 2 year old...)