Low attendance at secondary school
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Looking for help
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- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 am
- Location: Berkshire
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T.i.p.s.y
low attendance at secondary school
Looking for help - some of the following are a waste of time "per se" and some are a waste of time for DD who is hopeless at the subject and has no interest in it whatsoever!
PSHE
PE (and it isn't that the whole family are couch potatoes - we all swim every day)
ICT
Art
Music
Food Tech.
DT
Drama
Games, especially hockey
homework involving colouring-in, posters,leaflets,diaries,mock letters,mock newspaper reports, dubious "research" which is just using google.
Maths when it involves working at a level >5 years below her ability
I think thats about it - sorry the list is so subjective - quite obviously some of the above subjects are of enormous worth and importance but -and this is my point - as clubs, options and after school activities not instead of academic subjects and not just to fill in 5 days of school. Maybe 3 or 4 days of compulsory school and 1or 2 days of optional school would be best.
PSHE
PE (and it isn't that the whole family are couch potatoes - we all swim every day)
ICT
Art
Music
Food Tech.
DT
Drama
Games, especially hockey
homework involving colouring-in, posters,leaflets,diaries,mock letters,mock newspaper reports, dubious "research" which is just using google.
Maths when it involves working at a level >5 years below her ability
I think thats about it - sorry the list is so subjective - quite obviously some of the above subjects are of enormous worth and importance but -and this is my point - as clubs, options and after school activities not instead of academic subjects and not just to fill in 5 days of school. Maybe 3 or 4 days of compulsory school and 1or 2 days of optional school would be best.
low attendance at secondary school
T.i.p.s.y - DD1 did get a scholarship to Central High in Newcastle (GDST) but we moved anyway and actually prefer her current grammar school - almost all the teachers are great and, as I have said before, the problem lies with the class warriors at westminster rather than the school!
Hmm, interesting.
I can quite see the point about not wanting your child to be studying something at a much lower level than he/she is capable of, but I’m less convinced about the virtue of allowing them to skip subjects they just don’t like.
I wonder what message this is sending to said child. That they will never in their lives have to do things they don’t enjoy – how realistic is that?
Is that not likely to lead to an adult who doesn’t stick at things but gives up as soon as the going gets tough, and in the context of relationships to an adult who expects always to get their own way.
Don’t mean this as an attack, magwich. In many ways I think what you are doing is very brave, but are you not in danger of setting up unrealistic expectations for the future…?
I can quite see the point about not wanting your child to be studying something at a much lower level than he/she is capable of, but I’m less convinced about the virtue of allowing them to skip subjects they just don’t like.
I wonder what message this is sending to said child. That they will never in their lives have to do things they don’t enjoy – how realistic is that?
Is that not likely to lead to an adult who doesn’t stick at things but gives up as soon as the going gets tough, and in the context of relationships to an adult who expects always to get their own way.
Don’t mean this as an attack, magwich. In many ways I think what you are doing is very brave, but are you not in danger of setting up unrealistic expectations for the future…?
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Looking for help
- Posts: 3767
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 am
- Location: Berkshire
Magwich,
I am very sorry but I have to disagree entirely. It is very good for children firstly to have to do things that they don't enjoy - this is a life lesson, because we can not alwys be doing things that we enjoy.
Subjects like Art, Music and Drama may seem like a waste of time if you are no good at them, but they can add some valuable breathing space to a crowded curriculum. I think your children might have some enjoyment out of fully participating in these lessons. My children love these subjects, because they allow them to let off some steam, and to think creatively instead of always concentrating on facts and figures etc.
I did not have the opportunity to study drama and technology at school - I went to an independent school with no facilities at all for non mainstream traditional subjects, and I think I would have loved to be given the opportunities that the children have today.
I have to say though, I am surprised any school has not investigated persistent absence, even if it is 'authorised' - where I work, if we are off more than once in a rolling 6 months period we are invited to see an occupational health therapist - perhaps the schools should bring in a similar scheme, to ensure that children are in school when they should be.
Rgds,
LFH
I am very sorry but I have to disagree entirely. It is very good for children firstly to have to do things that they don't enjoy - this is a life lesson, because we can not alwys be doing things that we enjoy.
Subjects like Art, Music and Drama may seem like a waste of time if you are no good at them, but they can add some valuable breathing space to a crowded curriculum. I think your children might have some enjoyment out of fully participating in these lessons. My children love these subjects, because they allow them to let off some steam, and to think creatively instead of always concentrating on facts and figures etc.
I did not have the opportunity to study drama and technology at school - I went to an independent school with no facilities at all for non mainstream traditional subjects, and I think I would have loved to be given the opportunities that the children have today.
I have to say though, I am surprised any school has not investigated persistent absence, even if it is 'authorised' - where I work, if we are off more than once in a rolling 6 months period we are invited to see an occupational health therapist - perhaps the schools should bring in a similar scheme, to ensure that children are in school when they should be.
Rgds,
LFH
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SunlampVexesEel
- Posts: 1245
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:31 pm
One of the great advantages of moving through the education system is although that at first you may have to do many things, that are not particularly stimulating, later you get to specialise to the subjects you like.
However having a rounded curriculum initially at least gives some exposure and gives those taking them the initial knowledge to choose what they are good at or motivated by.
Out of the list of subjects there are plenty that hold good careers for those that choose them; not everyone can be a rocket scientist.
Regards
SVE
However having a rounded curriculum initially at least gives some exposure and gives those taking them the initial knowledge to choose what they are good at or motivated by.
Out of the list of subjects there are plenty that hold good careers for those that choose them; not everyone can be a rocket scientist.
Regards
SVE
Animis opibusque parati
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Loopyloulou
- Posts: 878
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:20 pm
Well I'll just step in to support magwich2 here.
Non-academic non-topics such as PSHE and Food Technology shouldn't be taught at school (and indeed aren't taught at the best schools), and hockey can be real torture for a girl who isn't so inclined!
I see real merit myself in art and music as genuine academic subjects if properly taught, but if someone hasn't an aptitude in these areas then I don't think they should be forced. Better to play to one's strengths for a happy and fulfilled life.
Non-academic non-topics such as PSHE and Food Technology shouldn't be taught at school (and indeed aren't taught at the best schools), and hockey can be real torture for a girl who isn't so inclined!
I see real merit myself in art and music as genuine academic subjects if properly taught, but if someone hasn't an aptitude in these areas then I don't think they should be forced. Better to play to one's strengths for a happy and fulfilled life.
Loopy
From the QCA website:
I agree that some subjects can seem pointless but often there is real worth in them.
I teach it to year 5 at my school and find that it can promote stimulating discussion for them and allow them to safely explore different viewpoints.Personal, social and health education (PSHE) deals with many real life issues young people face as they grow up. It gives them the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy and responsible lives as confident individuals and members of society.
I agree that some subjects can seem pointless but often there is real worth in them.