We must surely build an education system that does
the following:
1.
Creates opportunities for all students
2.
Reduces class sizes to allow teachers to be able
to concentrate on all, rather than on those who are 'behaving'
3.
Consider reducing school hours. Consider moving
hours, to take in later mornings, and longer afternoons.
4.
ASK the children and students, what do they want?
5.
Bring in more parent control. Allowing parents to
come into lessons, and have more of a say in what discipline is used. (For
example a parent may indicate that lines have no impact, but a Friday night
detention would!)
6.
Move away from traditional classrooms, bring in
more independent work, allow students and children to actively learn, and gain
independence instead of being in a spoon fed mentality.
7.
Have School councils in every school that can
present information to Governors rather than the Head.
8.
Feed the children! More compulsory breakfast
clubs, more drinking water, and please someone invent a water bottle that will
not spill. Or can be squirted!
9.
Examinations in cold dank sports halls? Have every
teacher teach at least one lesson a fortnight in the areas that will be used
for formal examinations. That does such wonderful things to shatter the fear
that many students have during examinations.
10. Have music in schools. Give
teachers time to prepare brilliant lessons. Give them the time and resources to
create proper learning opportunities within lessons. Use Teaching Assistants in
every classroom. Another adult in the room can be instrumental into ensuring
that ALL the children learn.
So much could be done. We need to ensure that all
children have every opportunity. Get rid of the negative formality. Please
someone listen!
And the saddest thing I have seen? A Year 7
student. He couldn't read or write, and he was sent out of every lesson. (In my
time I have come across a few children coming into mainstream schooling from
Primary School, unable to read or write. Why?!) Something in his eyes showed
failure. If only someone had caught him at Primary School. If only someone had
him on a one to one basis. His behaviour was pretty bad. But who could blame
him? The answer? He was going to be sent to a Special School. He had no
disabilities, physically or mentally, but somehow he had been missed.
A school
failure.
Someone was to blame, and I do not at all think any blame should have
been left with him.
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