Suggest a link to a site you’ve found helpful – it could be a source of information or just a place where you can get advice.
Posted by: John Harrison | 14.01.2010 05:55pm
There is a common assumption that 'education' and 'school' are synonymous terms; that education only takes place (indeed, CAN only take place) in schools and that therefore if we improve schools, we improve education. And THAT, as the numerous posts you have received and the figure of 2.8 million made to feel like failures quoted in your own advertisement (Guardian 28.11.09), is manifestly not the case.
School has a part to play in education, if only because not every parent has the resources to home educate their children; but it should not be (and isn't) the only source of education. The schools that we have today are imitations of the original grammar and 'public' schools of two centuries ago or more. The very word 'school' derives from the Greek word 'skole' which means 'leisure'. School was for the leisured classes who had no need to earn a living by it and the most prised areas of study were the most arcane, abstract and academic; in other words the subjects least likely to have any direct practical application to the world of work. That attitude still obtains to this very day: we talk of 'top' universities, of 'double firsts' in 'greats' 'down' to 'white van man', 'shelf-stackers' and 'McJobs'. We forget that the most academic classical scholar (there's that word again) would be lost if he couldn't find his favourite groceries.
We need to rethink education from start to finish (of course, there is no 'finish'). We need to ask ourselves 'What is education for?' rather than 'What are schools for?'. We need to recognise that the government should have no more responsibility than to ensure that every child, upon reaching the age of 14 and standing on the very threshold of adulthood, is equipped to be able to deal with the adult world as it is and subsequently to provide the means for that young person to pursue whatever education s/he wishes, be it academic, creative, athletic, enterprising, 'vocational' and so on. Each young person should, by the age of 14, have passed all the elements of a School Leaving Certificate - a certificate of competence to deal with the adult world, NOT of academic prowess. Other qualifications should be awarded by the bodies that require them: university entrance by the universities, legal qualifications by the legal profession, military qualifications by the military, engineering qualifications by the engineering societies and so on. It is not the business of government to set the exams, dictate the pass level and then brag that the 'pass' rate was 52.4% last year, 52.7% this year therefore we are a jolly good government and you should go on voting for us.
More may be learnt about these ideas by visiting www.wotnoschool.com .
Posted by: Guy Pope-Mayell | 01.12.2009 01:25am
Here's the latest initiative out on New Zealand which is all about changing the way we teach and appreciating how students prefer to learn.
4D | FOR DYSLEXIA - which also stands for 4 Difference and 4 Diversity - extending the common perception of three dimensions and likens the fourth dimension to a dyslexic / atypical way of thinking that can bring creative gifts.
With close to 20% of NZ schools already on board, this programme is helping schools adapt to the 21st Century learning environment.
Posted by: Ken Smith | 18.07.2009 12:09pm
Read what HEAS has to say - real hope in that group's radical thinking. Must keep going on alternatives to the creeping totalitarian State growth... (Sound a bit radical, but boy, how quickly we can lose all personal freedom by the rotten (fascistic leaning) State madmen (and women) control freaks. (Why do you think they 'do it', for YOUR benefit! I'll say not.) See www.heas.org.uk/ (Anybody would like to discuss these issues, contact thro' Edge.) KLS (Jixatron)
Posted by: Lucy Griffiths | 27.03.2009 05:40pm
Advice on careers in IT for 14-19 year olds trying to decide what to do when they leave school. Contains details of University courses and videos from people who already have a IT / Digital job role.
Posted by: Anonymous | 26.08.2008 10:20am
http://www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/
Taking an Apprenticeship could change your life. This site is here to help you. It's full of information on what you can study, how you apply, who offers the schemes, and much, much more.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:32pm
http://www.acm.ac.uk/
Training for the future's rock and pop musicians, with courses in guitar, drums, vocals, music production etc. up to degree level.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:32pm
http://www.premierglobal.co.uk
Get a career in the health and fitness industry. Advice on training, distance learning and online training courses.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:31pm
http://www.yourcreativefuture.org.uk/
A guide to education and career opportunities in the creative industries like fashion, music and design. Discover the wide range of careers available and select interviews with creative people.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:31pm
http://gradireland.com/
Gradireland gives advice on choosing the right career and making effective applications. Also has a jobs section.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:30pm
http://www.careerswales.com/
Careers Wales on the choices available to young people and how their parents can help them reach the right decision for their future success.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:30pm
http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/home/home.asp
Careers Scotland gives advice on how to choose a career, find out how much it pays and how to apply, There are also hints and tips on interview techniques.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:29pm
http://www.prospect4u.co.uk
Discover how you could be part of one of the industries that mould our world. Career advice on glass, printing, building products etc.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:29pm
http://www.young-enterprise.org.uk
Young Enterprise offers a range of programmes, based on the principle of learning by doing, which brings volunteers from business into the classroom to work with teachers and students.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:29pm
http://www.connexions-direct.com
Are you 13-19? Connexions Direct can offer you all the information and advice you need to make the decisions and choices in your life. Free advice and resources.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:28pm
http://www.voced.co.uk
The EU and four councils in South Yorkshire fund this site which advises on vocational courses and jobs on offer locally.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:27pm
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/studying
Edexcel is the leading provider of internationally-recognised qualifications. Hints and tips on studying and taking BTEC and NVQs.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:26pm
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk
There are more than 200 apprenticeships available across more than 80 industry sectors. How to get get on-the-job training, study and earn money while you learn.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:25pm
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk
Aimhigher widens participation in higher education by raising the aspirations and attainment of young people who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, disabled or from some ethnic groups.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:25pm
http://www.cityandguilds.com/myperfectjob
City & Guilds designs over 500 work-related qualifications which give the skills to actually do a job. You can take these qualifications at more than 6,000 colleges and training providers.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:22pm
http://www.direct.gov.uk
The Government’s public service website with a huge education and learning section. It details choices for young people between 14 and 19, telling them everything they need to know about courses, exams, grades and prospects.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:21pm
http://inourhands.lsc.gov.uk/
The Learning and Skills Council provides information on many sources of skills and training and funding programmes. Its aim is to improve the skills of our young people and adults to world-class standards.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:21pm
http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk
Informal e-mentoring on choosing a career and finding a job, learning from people who have been in your shoes. You can have private one-to-one conversations with your mentor or publish your wisdom on the site.
Posted by: Edge | 12.08.2008 12:00am
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk
The largest e-learning network of its kind in the world, offers helpful careers and learning advice. Make a free phone call to talk to their trained advisors.