I
wonder why we are so keen in this country, to make all children the same? Do we
believe it is easier to teach everyone one curriculum and expect them to reach
the same standards at the same time? Is it fair? I think it makes teaching much
harder and breaks many child and adult's hearts. There is nothing worse than
seeing a child, or young person trying their very best, but being seen as a
failure because they don't fit into the education box, often through no fault
of their own. We know negative responses to endeavours don't work, but here we
are again making them law. It is even more heart breaking seeing a child give
up when their potential to shine in a different way is not realised. As a
teacher, I know the thrill of watching particular children's talents unfold.
The joy of seeing different characteristics come into their own. How we needed
the practical, artistic, academic and quirky to flourish, in order to explore
all aspects of teaching and learning. I could see the possibilities of each
member of my class shine in all their multicoloured amazingness! Did they all
fit into the expectations laid out by the national curriculum? Well of course
not. But that is what good, fun teaching is about. The diversity of human
nature is what keep us all interested and alive. Allowing space in school for
all children to thrive and enjoy the experience just seems so ridiculously
obvious, I can't understand why we want to keep testing everything. Is it just
about league tables? Thank goodness the majority of teachers quietly put the
child first and make new legislation fit into what they know works best for
their teaching.
I
worry about secondary school expectation though. Can these schools afford to
keep retesting? Can they protect the individual child from feeling like a
failure if they can't master these tests?
Imagine
a system that allows for all talents, passions and interests. Where you could
work on something at a level that would allow the individual to be
congratulated for hard work and effort. To then go on to secondary school where
there would be further facilities for your skills to progress. Each young
person would be prepared for the work place, doing a job they enjoyed and were
good at. To progress to a level that suited that person at that time. School
would be easier because they would feel engaged and maybe even happy? I know I'm
a daydreamer, but I work with lots of young people through Hands-On and
everything runs so much smoother when we are in the flow and having a good
time. That doesn't mean not working, it means achieving something together at a
level that suits.
My
final thing to say is that the focus here is for those who are struggling to
pass these tests in the school system, but I also feel the higher achievers are
not catered for either. To be constantly compared to the average, or
underachievers and seen as better than them leaves a bitter taste too. If you
are seen as doing well, but you are not overly competitive or outgoing, it is
easy to slip into the 'keep quiet and get on with it' group. Imagine what these
children could be when they grow up. What are our expectations? I wonder how
many of us grown ups here now would be celebrating our diversity if we were
just expected to pass exams with a higher than average grade and to keep doing
it until working age. Where is the nuttiness of creative teachers going 'off piste'
to explore education without political, health and safety guidelines. I love
nothing more than seeing a teacher properly giggling with his or her class
during one of our Hands-On sessions - be it sex education with Year 10, or
story telling in the Nursery.
