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]

NOW CLOSED

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

Its a balance of all things really, education is very important to me, especially having a good foundation knowledge of maths english and science. As a scientist myself and working with many people from around the world, I feel us as parents need to be more involved in our childrens education and learning; and not leave it purely down to their school and teachers. There are at least 30 children in a class!
Mental health is as vital if not more for their well being. They will never have the future you want for them if they suffer anxiety and depression. So lots of encouragement from home is vital, along with lots of love, fun and happiness all ingredients for a healthy brain in my opinion anyway.

I think it is important that the children are happy

A good school with well supported teachers

Good pastoral care, where every child is given the opportunity to "shine" on whatever area they are good at.
Teachers who "know" their pupils.
An environment where reading is encouraged.

That they are not afraid to ask for help rather than suffer in silence. I don't expect them to be great at everything and if they need help then we will make sure they get it.

Happy, valued and given the right circumstances to achieve what they're capable of.

It depends on the age - an ability for critical reasoning and to debate both sides of an argument, an ability to find knowledge and assess whether it is accurate or contains flaws. I think children need to be offered a range of subjects and experiences to try in order to discover their aptitudes and what they like. It is important to be literate and have decent basic maths so that they can cope in the world and manage their own finances. I wish the curriculum had the flexibility to allow children to go off topic when enthused.

Learning should be fun and enjoyable and where possible hands on. Children should want to learn and find it interesting.

There are so many things that are important! Children being happy and secure and in an environment where learning is good and they feel encouraged! Fair treatment and clear communication!

I believe if my child is happy with the educator then they will be happy to learn, this is the most important thing for me.

Most important thing for me is that my child feels happy, safe and engaged in learning. That all the children are encouraged to treat one another kindly and with respect, and that my child associates school and learning in general with positive thoughts and emotions.

Of course the academic side is important but also to develop people skills and be confident and kind but u
tmost to be happy individuals.

To enjoy it - you'll leant nothing if you aren't happy

A good educational foundation but parents also have to put the time in at home. Developing social skills is also a huge part of education

For me it’s about the ethos of a school and how it focuses on its pupils. My son is getting a wonderful education at a small special school which caters for him very well. He is autistic and although the school is not an autism specialist school it has supported him brilliantly by looking at his needs and meeting them.

Chikdren who get this kind of support tend to make much better progress than those who don’t.

When I look at OFSTED results I pay particular attention to how the needs of pupils are met. Other parents are also good sources of advice,

I think a good variety of subjects is important when it comes to educating children. I do think the system is a bit outdated though. My daughter has spent months learning cursive writing which in my opinion is a complete and utter waste of time. I have never failed a test or a job interview or been in any negative position because I didn't write something in cursive writing. I feel like thats months that could have been spent focusing more on something actually beneficial to a kids learning.

Happy and confident to take the next step after school. To have had a chance to discover their strengths, whether that is academic, creative, sporting. To have made some good friends.

I just want to make sure my child is happy at school and remembers these times as hopefully some of the best in her life.

my children are happy in their school setting and they love the teaching it has to offer.

I just hope that they are happy and they get the help and support that they need from us.

We home educated our two and they decided what they wanted to learn

I think the most important thing is that children are given an equal opportunity to find out what they enjoy and what they are good at and then given the chance to develop.

Results are something we look at as well as every child being recognised for their efforts and achievements.

Most definitely that she is happy. If she’s not happy she won’t want to go, and then what’s the point

I think independant, child led learning is the best. Not telling the child what they need to know but letting them figure it out for themselves xx