State education system, is it broken?

[minimathsmouse]

I believe the wheels have fallen off the state education system. You might not agree but I have read so many posts here from parents who have had and are still having huge problems with their child's school. Many people seem to have worries about standards of teaching, clashes of ideology and problems with making up the deficit with tutors and home study. Horrendous SEN provission, huge class sizes, lack of provision for able pupils, the list goes on. It is truely depressing to think so many children are not receiving the education they deserve.

How many people believe the whole system has failed? Are falling standards only due to poor teaching or wider problems that are not being addressed within the system?

Thank you, pointythings, that's very sweet of you . I think I will defer my presidency for a few years. I still haven't worked out how to stage the coup, yet.

Rabbitstew I don't really know what to say. I have never experieneced anything nearing the difficulties you and your son have overcome. He sounds like an extrordinary little chap. You must be very proud and rightly so as I'm sure that all his achievements are really special for you, more so because of the difficulties of the past.

I have been so lucky. DS1 Bright but mild aspie tendencies (probably from me and DH) DS2 not very academic but a bright outgoing child with lots of friends and a very creative and questioning mind. For all their quirks and ours, we have never had to overcome any great adversity.

I think my and ds1's adversity was more in both our minds than anything else - he largely had problems that could be fixed, we just didn't fix them in the most efficient way. Real adversity is when you have to live for years with something that is at best improvable but actually incurable.

And also, maybe I wanted too much for him to be perfect rather than functional! I put a lot of pressure on myself and needed help to lighten the load and put things into perspective.

Rabbitstew and others that are keen to support local schools, I have just found this website.

www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk

I haven't figured out how to make links!

I don't really see DS1 aspergers tendencies as a problem. He has the capacity to think through his difficulties and because he is bright has found ways of reading people and situations quite well. He can be quite focused on his interests and self aware for his age, we don't have any anger management issues but he doesn't like a great deal of noise and likes to work quietly on his own or with adults. He doesn't have a diagnosis and is unlikely to ever have one. I see it more as a quirk of personality than a condition to be diagnosed and managed.

And, of course, you don't see your ds's tendencies as a problem, minimathsmouse, because you see him as a whole person, not a list of problems... I'm sure he wouldn't look so good as a statistic on a piece of paper!

I think you have to try and look past the problems (or overcome those you can) and see the potential.

I have just found another interesting website that is actively campaigning against free schools and some of the more whacky ideas of the coalition.

www.campaignforstateeducation.org.uk

Haven't read through all of it but thought it might interest others.

ps I think likewise, with my ds1, that now he is older he can actually use his intelligence to his advantage, helping him to overcome his weaknesses, rather than using it against himself. I hope you get your dss into a secondary school you are happy with, mini!

Thank you Rabbitstew. My son asked to be home educated at 6 when he first landed in a class of 30. He had been in a small pre-prep from 2.5-6yrs classes of 5-12 dcs! The school closed. Very sad day, 3 years later my son still speaks about it, we walk past and he always comments about how sad it makes him feel. Not a state school, but an old established family run school with a great sense of community.

If only all primary schools had small classes. I think primary schools should be human sized!

Hi , im currently struggling to get my dd the help she needs in school , she is dyslexic and the school isnt doing enough to help her.
I would really like to start up a group in brighton for other parents with dyslexic kids who may or may not be getting the help they need or if you think that your child maybe but has not been assessed. Alot of the schools are; for one not picking up on the signs, and two; not giving the correct support when they are reconised .

Please Please message me or comment if you have any interest in this, something needs to be done for all these kids and i am willing to take on the fight with the schools and goverment and who ever else is not pulling there weight with this subject but if we can get a group together it will certainly be an easier battle .

I look forwrd to hearing from you x