[quote bendmeoverbackwards]@newsibling123 no I am not an expert on other countries, I am pointing out the failings of the UK education system.
Pressure does NOT just come from pushy parents. I have always been supportive yet relaxed about my 3 dds' education (I have 3, aged 20, 19 and 15). There are so many other influences out there. My youngest said to me recently she wants to get all 9s in her GCSEs. Why? She certainly hasn't been under pressure from me.
Your last paragraph is very telling. A 4 year old should not have to 'cope with the pace'. In other countries a child of this age won't have started formal schooling yet. It's a real shame making such young children jump through hoops.[/quote]
A 4 year old should not have to 'cope with the pace'
A four year old at JAGS or WHS does exactly what a 4 Year old at any school does for goodness sake!!!
My point was these are top academic schools, by the time they get to 7+ or 11+ it should be obvious if they are academically bright and so suited to the school, any wise parent and school should then suggest they go to a school more suited.
Did your girls go to the top ranked private schools in the country then? Because last time I checked JAGS and WHS were in the top quartile of the UK. Those high standards aren't for each girl, but that 'pace' doesn't bloody start in pre-prep for gods sake.
There's lots wrong with the UK system, I actually agree formal teaching shouldn't start to around 6 or 7 like the Nordic countries, but you can't have that without extensive childcare, their gov spend a lot more on childcare provision for all, regardless of income and working status - AND teachers are respected and expected to have masters degrees, so it would take a whole culture change for us to make these changes to the UK.
I agree we need to change the system and could adopt many things from Europe and elsewhere.