What our education system tells children

My son has recently started to attend The Learning Circle online a few days a week (he's still trying attend his regular school when he can be it's becoming increasingly difficult). The Learning Circle is an online democratic school with amazing teachers, a supportive community and exactly the ethos I would have if I was designing my own school. This experience has shown me how the education system could be. In mainstream schools there are some fantastic teachers but many tell me how they are constrained by an outdated curriculum and system. My son is in Year 6 and despite being quite bright, he finds the work too challenging, the topics boring and the focus on learning for SATs uninspiring.

I believe that most parents want their children to embrace their uniqueness, follow their passions and develop a love of learning. We nurture and encourage our children; we build them up to be their true selves and confident in who they are. But then, BOOM! ...the education system knocks them right down!

I was thinking this week about some inspiring quotes I've heard. Things like, "don’t follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail”. This is the kind of message I live by and I'd like my children to follow. However, I feel that the current education system contradicts these inspiring messages and tells children a different story. At the bottom of this blog I've put together some inspiring quotes alongside the messages the education system tends to send.

There are some schools and of course home education that offers a different way but this is for the minority of children. There are far too many children like my son who are out of school or struggling to attend. The frustrating thing is that they would not only be fine under a different system, they would likely actually thrive! Imagine a future where ALL children...

⭐Direct their own learning at their own pace

⭐Follow their passions

⭐Are celebrated for their unique skills

⭐Thrive as a member of a community

⭐Develop confidence and leadership skills

⭐Learn how to think critically

⭐Develop a life long love of learning

Hanna

What we want our children to know...
“Don’t follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The education system tells children...
Stay on the path and we might make your star of the week. Deviate at your peril! It’s easier for everyone if you can fit in and go along with the crowd.

What we want our children to know...
“Dream big and dare to fail'' ~Norman Vaughan

The education system tells children...
You can follow your dreams but only if you pass your exams. Push yourself at the expense of your mental health; failure is not an option.

What we want our children to know...
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited” ~Plutarch

The education system tells children...
You need to remember all of this information to do well in exams. You had your chance to love learning in Early Years...now it’s time to buckle down, school isn’t meant to be fun.

What we want our children to know...
“You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script” ~Oprah Winfrey

The education system tells children...
You can define your own life once you’ve left school. Until then you are going to learn what the government says you should learn.