Comments on: That thing called education

By: Rosie Sherry

Rosie Sherry — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:09:10 +0000

Thanks everyone for the replies. It’s encouraging.

Home education has always been on my mind and it may be something I consider when my boys are older. I’ve thought hard about it and feel I wouldn’t be the best person to guide them in their early years.

@Matt I had some conversations with James Bach a couple or so years ago and based on that found and sent my boy(s) to a Montessori nursery, where they’ve been very happy.

@phil I would be daft to judge on your daughter’s situation. The system can work well for people. But from what I understand she’s done well in education, but has not yet experienced the working world. I would like to think all goes well in her career, but it may be a bit early to judge if she has made the right decisions. Perhaps look back in a few years time and see how things are then. I’ve heard countless stories of people studying years for something to only then experience it and discover that it’s not what they want.

@wolf It’s encouraging that government are wanting to change, but we all know it is a very slow process. The Uni of Sussex is also looking into alternatives, which is encouraging.

Change is happening, it’s just a bit too slow for my liking!

By: Wolf Luecker

Wolf Luecker — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:32:39 +0000

I agree with you on many points. My daughter is still a year away from starting school (which is FAR too early in this country anyway, but that’s a different debate). But we’re looking at all the options, which includes home education as mentioned above. I live in Lewes and know the New School reasonably well – I think they’re generally doing a good thing but at this point I’m not their biggest fan. Let us know how you get on.

The interesting thing is that there is plenty of debate high up in the echelons of government thinktanks and advisors, airing some quite radical thoughts about how to reform the education system. I’ve had the opportunity to look at some white papers from a couple of years ago (Milliband et al), which would suggest that they really know the current schooling methods don’t work. They’re not stupid. But there is a huge amount of resistance and opposition to radical change (as you would expect). Who knows, maybe in our lifetime we will see a massive re-design of how young people learn in formal education. The thinking and evidence is definitely there.

And Phil, I agree that the education system worked for me on the whole. But I’m sure you know plenty of people who wouldn’t say that, not because of their perceived academical flaws, but simply because the ‘one-size-fits-all’ principle failed them! That’s what a lot of the thinking at the moment is about: learners are different and that’s institutionally not catered for (it can’t be, the way formal education is set up).

By: phil kirkham

phil kirkham — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:56:32 +0000

I read a lot of scare stories about education and the state school system way back when my daughter was about to start school next month she’s going to graduate with a First and then jets off to NY for her 8 weeks training with an investment bank Did I get lucky ? was it my genes ? was it me spending lots of time with her ? was it her following my example and seeing me reading and still learning ? I think there’s a lot of influences going on and the education system didnt suck for me – or my daughter – or even my mother

By: Matt Heusser

Matt Heusser — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:55:56 +0000

Hello Rosie. I TOTALLY agree that public education in the US and most of Europe is, well, bad. It was invented more to educate the prussian enlisted soldier (smart enough to do routine tasks but completely obedient to orders) or the american factory worker of the industrial age. (Also smart/routine but obedient) James Bach and I homeschool. More accurately, my wife homeschools, but I think James has sctructured the nature of his work so that he has more times with his family. (More writing, less travelling, more work from homes stuff, etc) – but I can’t speak for him. With your talent level, you could probably go part-time from home (contracting) and homeschool. In an event, I agree that private school does a better job and solves some of the problems. That was one of our options, but we decided to homeschool. Regards, –matt heusser

By: Cole Henley

Cole Henley — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:53:46 +0000

Great post Rosie. I agree with you wholeheartedly, both as a fellow parent and as someone who benefitted from the choice to have a very liberal, state-supported education (before the introduction of the National Curriculum by the Tories and subsequent meddlings by New Labour).

I have posted a similar rant with my thoughts and feelings on the matter at http://cole007.net/blog/25/ejukashun

By: rachael

rachael — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:51:18 +0000

not all state ed is bad – my 2 are at a fab school – local village one – they do a lot of outside learning, a lot of integrated subjects, a lot of real life experiences.. I love the education they are getting there – they have cooked, the bring crafts home most days, they have time to ride bikes, build camps etc etc and they are learning – I am happy!