What's most important to you when it comes to your child’s education? Share with the GDST for the chance to win a £300 John Lewis voucher!

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We all know that education is important and the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), a family of 25 schools across the UK, would like to know what’s most important to you when it comes to your children’s education. Please share your thoughts below to be entered into the voucher prize draw.

When thinking about 'what makes a good education', what do you think is most important? Are strong academic results what make a good education? Or do you think there is too much focus on exams in schools? Does a well-rounded education involve sports and creative arts? Does learning languages and communication skills give children better life skills?

Whatever you think is important for your children’s education, please share it below and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

after being seriously let down by my son's school i have had to make it my priority to get involved and push for the education he deserves. He doesn't deserve to be let down and miss out on what he is capable. He is only just learning to enjoy school again.

That they are happy as if they are then they learn better

I don't agree with one-size-fits-all education as I've a DC with SEN and who can't cope with a lot of things that most schools take for granted, such as team games, team this, team that...
Some kids aren't wired for that, and so need to be taught in a way that allows them to work with their strengths instead of continually being made to feel rubbish because their minds don't work the same way that the other 99% do. That way lies other mental health problems later in life. He is often disciplined for forgetting things and being hopelessly organised - but that's a well known factor of his condition and one that is used for diagnosis! He is never going to be able to do some things. So why do schools insist on forcing kids like him to try and do it when all it does is upset him greatly.

So what matters to me is that he is taught to work with his different abilities and find workarounds for life, instead of being expected to be NT when he isn't and never will be. After all, what precisely is normal, anyway...?

I think the basics of English and Maths are essential to any career after school but I think children need to be encouraged with what they are passionate about. Not everyone is sporty or a rocket scientist

I used to think it was more acedemic based but since my daughter had a rough time at school a few years ago with friends I honestly think it's a school where children feel happy and safe.

A good supportive atmosphere

My children’s mental health and wellbeing is the most important thing. Learning resilience skills too.

Definitely a balanced and well rounded education. Obviously the academic side is important but I also want things like music and art to be important and most importantly I just want them to be happy in school as I think that being happy in their school will help and encourage them to want to learn.

A good education is one that allows and encourages a child to enjoy learning, gives them the space and encouragement to find out what it is that they really care about, and helps them to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to achieve that, whatever it may be.

Being on target is the most important part of my children’s education. Getting extra support when required in order for a child to reach their true potential. Being able to ask for help and having the confidence to do so. Make sure my child is happy. It’s really hard for parents to encourage kids to have fun with their education these days. It’s important that extra effort is rewarded. Even if it’s just an email about my child’s extra enthusiasm and hard work. I often get these from various tutors, often several in one day. I always ask my son what he wants for dinner in a rewarding manner. I know how he loves his food 💋

that they enjoy it and are happy

Most important is that my child enjoys school and is happy and engaged. In DD's case this means a wide ranging curriculum with plenty of interesting extra curricular activities on offer.

The most important thing for me is that my child is happy at school. I would look for a school with great pastoral care and a zero tolerance approach to bullying.

That they leave school equipped with the tools they need to fulfil their potential.

That they feel safe and secure and that they understand all that is asked of them is that they try their best.

I think there's much more to education than exam results- I'd prefer a school to encourage children to do sport and arts/creative activities as well. Many people don't know what they want to do in life when they're still st school, so it's more important to give them the non-academic skills to succeed at whatever they choose to do.

I think things like public speaking and developing self-confidence are overlooked far too often in this country.

Language and communication skills, both verbal and written, are so important in the workplace and I think teaching children how to communicate effectively is essential to setting them up for life.

As much as I believe that it is extremely important for my child to recieve a strong academic education, I really want her to be taught practical skills for when shes grown up. Simple things; like how to change a light bulb & basic sewing, skills that I wish I had been taught in school.

At the young age mine are at I think the most important thing is to make sure that they feel happy and confident enough

That children are happy, whilst important that my children try and work hard i want their childhood to be happy not full of academic worries.

Their happiness and doing their best are the most important things. As for the curriculum it should be balanced between all subjects. Our DCs are certainly all interested in or excel in different areas. We are never let down by our DCs however sometimes feel disappointed in teacher shortages and quality of teaching.

What’s important is that every child has a chance to be happy and a achieve their potential. Ideally they’re supported by their parents and us too. We need to focus more on mental health problems and a well rounded education too.
Schools definitely need to pay less attention to test results and reduce pressure in the classroom as well. Also I believe that schools have a legal duty of care towards the children there. I want to implement a child oriented curriculum in place of a data focused curriculum.
I’ve often talked with other parents online.
One big concern is that their children are getting a ridiculous amount of homework each day after school. Any after school clubs and activities give the kids a chance to work on their social skills. And make friends too. Plus be willing to try new things and develop confidence.

I think every child should feel valued as an individual. I want my children to have a balance of academic challenges and be exposed to values and life skills that will enable them to be effective members of society. It is my job as a parent to teach them values and lead by example but school can reinforce these.

quality of teaching

Skills in building relationships and the cultivation of critical thinking. These I think are the most important things.

I want my daughter to go to a school where children learn to think for themselves and take risks with their work. I want there to be a culture of intellectual curiosity, wider reading and having a go with an acceptance of making mistakes.