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!

[EmmaMumsnet]

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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

I think the most important factor is my child's mental health, I don't think any family wants a school where they excel but that the child's mental health suffers. Schooling needs to bring out the best in the children and allow them to grow into confident young people.

I think academics are important but not the be all and end all. Yes, I would like my children to do well but that is 'their' well - just to work hard and be the best that they can be. They need to be happy at school and with stimulating and engaged teachers, who are interested in them as individuals and keen to find out what makes each child tick.
I wish there was more emphasis on life skills in schools these days - they need to be able to go out in the world and function, not just churn out facts and figures.

Sadly, it seems some schools are more focused on their targets and place in the league tables than the child who should be at the heart of education.

Yes, children need to basics, but for the love of God stop making them learn grammar rules by rote etc or you'll stifle any enthusiasm they may have for learning. Bring back active learning, investigations and a range of different lessons for different learning styles.

My girls are at two different schools in the town and the difference is so vast it's unreal! At one school the teachers will gladly give one on one tuition after school to help and at the other they don't seem to offer any help at all. I feel it's important to have teachers who listen to their students and address their individual needs.

A caring community to support learning and nurture. Focused on the whole child rather than just academic excellence

That my little one is happy and confident and surrounded by other happy and confident children

Yes, I want my children to achieve academically and to their potential but more importantly, to learn to interact docially and grow into balanced happy individuals with a positive outlook on life and no hang-ups - and no need to spend hours on their mobile phone. Be yourself, don't be a sheep!

That they are taught to have high expectations for themselves, not just academically but in all areas and that their individual hard work is noted and appreciated. That they leave school with good self esteem to enable them to make good life choices.

I want my child to be happy in school and for his school to recognise his achievements whether they are academic or not. It’s important to me that he is treated like an individual.

It is important to me for schools to recognise children's strengths as opposed to just pointing out their weaknesses!

For me it's a broad curriculum with time for sport, music, drama and art. Teachers that want to teach and a school environment that promotes good behaviour and provides opportunities and experiences.

I want DC to do well at school and fulfil their academic potential but I also want them to leave school as well-rounded, resilient, kind and self-motivated adults with a curiosity for the world and a desire to learn.

As a home educating mum of 7 to me the most important thing is to work at your child(ren)'s pace, make learning fun!

That my child is happy at the skool and getting the best edjerkation..

Trying to make learning fun, whatever the age, to keep a positive and happy household, not always easy I grant you :o)

Its important that they are happy and at the same time they have a balanced education which will help them in life.

It would have to be my child's happiness. I hate my school and didn't do very well in my secondary education. I'd want my DD to enjoy going to school everyday with supportive teachers who encouraged her to follow her dreams. My teachers stamped all over mine and laughed in my face when I told them my aspirations - definitely not how a teacher should be.

That they enjoy school and learning and that they learn in a happy environment.

The most important thing to me, for my child's education, is being taught to be kind, share, be social and know how to treat others. Obviously getting grades is important but I want my child to grow up treating others how they want to be treated.

Happy Children is the most important thing :)

I believe every child should have a balanced education. For example, no point being an absolute maths whizz if you haven't learned to read.

I think the most important thing is that children enjoy school!

That they reach their academic potential in a supporting situation which helps their emotional and social development.

I've always been most concerned with whether or not my kids are safe and happy at school. I want them to do well academically, but I also want them to learn social and other life skills.

I look for teachers who care, who are engaged and who get to know my child.

I think a happy balanced child that comes home from school with a smile, feeling like it wasn't all hard work and talks about fun things they did/learnt and you realise that they have actually learnt about something educational but didn't realise it!