My Utopian World Part 5

OK, and back to our regular programming now Xmas is over, here, especially for Dave, who keeps nagging me aboput it, here is Education.....

Before I start, let me say I am assuming that I have taken over supreme dictatorship of England., and this is how I would change the education system. I am no way qualified to set up a new system from scratch, and the point of my utopian world is to yell at news reporters "but it's OBVIOUS what you should do" whenever they tell me how the country is falling apart at the seams:-)

National Curriculum
We have a national curriculum. It is flexible in teaching methods & timings, but there are specific subjects that must be learned to a set level by a set age. Parents have the right to know that their child will be taught the same in rural Devon as the children in Chelsea. Teachers need to know what their targets are. Children should be able to transfer schools without too much difficulty.

Selection & Choice
You have no choice of state school. you will be allocated a place at the closest one, unless you apply for an alternative with a damn good reason. "I like it better" is not a good reason. "all her brothers & sisters go there" is. However, schools inspectors are well funded, and schools must reach good standards each year, so every school will be offering a good education to every child. If a school is failing, more money will be available to assist with specific failings. Therefore, yes, a school in inner city Liverpool may well get lots more money than schools in suburban York, but specifically targeted at behavioural & social issues. Of course my fantastic parenting policy means there will not be so many of these in the first place:-)

There are private schools. They also have to follow the basic national curriculum, but may add in alternative subjects/principles. No state school will be faith based. If you think you can't teach them your faith at home, you have to pay your own bunch to do it for you. Comparitive religion is part of the basic national curriculum.

Secondary schools may operate a selection policy within individual subjects, where they feel it would be suitable.

Staff & Subjects
Primary schools have two qualified teachers per class, allowing for individual working & assessment where necessary & ensuring continuity for the children, less stress for the teachers, and a back-up for any problems.

There will be at least one "special needs" primary school in each constituency. It should be on the same site as a standard state school, sharing resources, teachers & facilities. this will allow integration where possible & suitable, and differentiation when necessary.

Secondary schools teach practical subjects as well as academic ones. Children chose options at 11 & 13, and should be offered the chance to do all academic, all vocational or a mix of subjects in every schools.

School Leaving Age & Further Education
Full time education is compulsory up to the age of 18.

At 15, children chose to either continue in their school, attend a specialist college, or join an apprenticeship scheme. Specialist colleges offer vocational qualifications in the many subjects that need specialis knowledge by tutors & workers - nursing, sport, IT etc. Apprenticeships are in practical skills - plumbing, electricians, building etc. School offers generic qualifications - maths, art, Biology etc

At 18, it is expected only 25-33% would attend University. I do not believe we should be sending everyone to uni, it belittles the value of a degree & is not suitable for most people: academic study is nothing to gloat over, the ability to build a house is far more useful most of the time. The specialist colleges also offer further qualifications, so many more students will remain in eductaion past minimum leaving age. Most apprenticeships last 5-7 years, so they will all still be in education too.

Money Matters
ALL full time education is free. Grants are minimal, but available to all. You can claim housing benifit while at university, so grants only need to cover living expences. this is paid for by saving a fortune on pre-school eductions, as the employers bear the brunt of that cost, and my high income tax, which may be mentioned in another post some time.

I am sure I have missed out some very important facts. if you want clarification, please feel free to ask in the comments & I'll try to add it in.

If you have missed the previous installments, you can find them below:
My Utopian World Part 1 - Introduction, Freight & Drugs
My Utopian World Part 2 - Immigration & Welfare
My Utopian World Part 3 -Childcare & Parenting
My Utopian World Part 4 - Crime & Punishment