What would you like to see school's teach?

[Welshwoman]

10+ budgeted nutritional recipes cooked from scratch
(I despair at having to pre-prepare all the ingredients for my son at the moment )

How to be a good consumer along the lines of how interest rates work on mortgages and credit cards and basic consumer law
( I know its taught in theory in maths but I would like a separate lesson on financial management the course should be written by Martin Lewis !)

Correct use of apostrophes

Apostrophes. Definitely.

Practical economics - from household budgets sopending according to means, what financial agreements/loans/debts actually mean, the concept of saving, investment and pensions , salary and deductions for ni and tax to basic business, balance sheet, profit and loss, employer/employee relations and responsibilities.

Oh yes def the realities of credit cards, budgeting etc. Brilliant idea to have that bit written (and taught?) by Martin Lewis!

How to shop - with a list - meal planning.

How to value other people. Take an interest. Be kind.

oh and of course literacy skills - how to complete an application form and covering letter "selling yourself" (including correct use of the apostrophe !(

The importance of social responsibility

Manners

first aid
def budgeting skills,

Difference between textspeak and style of English expected in a working environment.

how to think for themselves, to problem solve, to be self reliant, how to find information, and how to evaluate how valuable that information is, and how to apply things to real life. All things they purport to teach at present - but somehow it doesn't have the desired effect.

And all the other things mentioned by everyone else.

Manners

social skills

Err, as a teacher much of this is already done, especially with less academic pupils. E.g., I finished the GCSE English course early a couple of years ago so spent 3 weeks with my (v low ability set)practising filling in forms for passport/driving licence etc. Oh and practiced driving theory test qu's as well (their poor literacy meant they might struggle with this, thus being prevented from driving).

But...why are schools teaching things which should be done in the home? Manners FFS?

(And yes, I came to suggest apostrophes too)

There are lots of things which are taught in the home That are also taught in the schools

Equally, there are many things which should be taught which aren't - which is why I include manners.

Absolutely agree Paolo'sgirl. But teachers do have a fairly heay workload anyway - not to mention an often unappreciative audience . (I mean teenagers, not parents, BTW).

I am dyslexic and yes do have a problem with apostrophises but not manners I hope

I would like to see less emphasis on content and more emphasis on developing learning skills. But that seems to be going against the grain.

I'm a teacher though, so feel free to disregard what I say...

You don't have to actually teach manners though, do you? You model them and insist on them. How would you out that into the National Curriculum I wonder.

And we do teach budgeting and practical economics in PSHE you'll be glad to hear.

manners

social skills

Love it

Yeah i'll do this while i am trying to push them kicking and screaming through GCSE coursework and A level stuff....ha ha ha ha

Aren't all these things taught. I imagine PSHE involves handling cash and isn't there food technology. I guess some kids don't learn it but it doesn't mean it's not taught.

Living skills including basic first aid,cookery and budgeting for All children,just those that choose to take home economics.Oh,and how to write a letter without using a computer!

I can't think of many teachers that don't insist on good manners as part and parcel of their lesson.

There is a big push in secondary schools at the moment on PLTS (personal learning and thinking skills) which emphasises the importance of transferable skills as well as learning the content of a subject. At my school this includes students leanring how to budget for a family meal and a holiday; cooking skills; community involvement; working with students of all ages; management; team-work and also the academic skills like learning how to revise effectively; researching; note-taking; writing for correct purpose, etc etc.

Some schools might call this Learn to Learn or similar. It's going on in a lot of schools.

I think most people would benefit from spending some time in a secondary school of they haven't been since they went themselves.

I think all these things are taught too - D&T food compulsory up to end of Y9 here, budgeting etc in PSHE (dd's class currently doing roleplay game which includes all these)

Only thing I'd add is compulsory time to learn keyboard/touch typing.

I was thinking the same itchy.

Itchy, you are right.

I'm reading this and thinking, tick, tick, tick, tick...

the dh of an old school friend got in touch recently as he's been thinking about becoming a teacher and wanted to shadow me for a day.

I put him with some other colleagues in different lesson and a couple with me. He was actually shocked at how positive the experience was, how enthusiastic and motivated the kids were and how much he enjoyed interacting with the students.

All 3 of his kids are privately educated, based purely on the idea that state schools are all shit. Fair enough coming to that conclusion after doing extensive reseach and visiting the schools, but he and his wife and not stepped foot in a comprehensive state school ever. (He was privately educated and his wife and I went to 11+ all girls grammar school).

Secondary schools get a bad press, unfairly deserved most of the time, imo.

[sorry for hijack!]