A New Curriculum

[nailit]

What new subjects would you put on the school curriculum?
A couple of other posters tonight have made excellent suggestions.
(mental health awareness, first aid etc)
I think that Id like to opt for critical thinking skills!

And what subjects should be removed?
I havnt a clue what the present curriculum is so don't know but when I was at school, things like woodwork and metal work and art were a complete waste of my time.

[Peter Pedant]

Yes and no
Latin is out of Law reports - but creeping back in

no more celeriter and in with 'groovy baby' or something

[woofgang]

I think this is quite difficult actually....I think a lot of the subjects proposed here are either snippet things like first aid and nutrition which could be bundled into one subject ...maybe real world studies?...I'd like to see financial management in that one too. Other things like mental health awareness and yes PP "communication" are more "whole school attitude" things. No point teaching a wonderful unit on mental health awareness if you don't tackle bullying for instance. My other thought is that comments have been based on what people wish they had been taught or haven't found a use for; whereas in reality what is needed is some crystal gazing to plan what children born now will need to know when they are 16....I mean coding? who'da thunk it?

[fiction-factory]

Lots of these things that are being suggested are already covered as part of PSHE and during Form Time and Assemblies, and maybe touched on in RE. Things like mental health, sexual exploitation, relationships, radicalisation, financial awareness, safeguarding, the environment, British values, internet safety, bullying...the list goes on.

[Tilly2]

Well said from one at the chalkface, FF. Good post.

[Prudie]

And I think everyone should be given the opportunity to tackle the academic subjects. There is a huge value in just enriching yourself in knowledge, it doesn't have to be used in everyday life. Focussing on all these life-skill subjects is almost like writing students off.

[Old_Geezer]

I liked woodwork and metalwork. The girls did the domestic science (aka cooking/baking) and needlework. (Didn't envy them that last one.) Art wasn't bad either. Gave a break from thinking. The school didn't make the most of it though, same old same old powder painting, maybe some charcoal drawing. No sculpture, pottery, whatever.

[jno]

I learnt woodwork and knitting; I can't say they've played much part in my life since then, but I'm not about to complain that I should have been taught coding instead. As woofgang says, the prople who prepare curriculums need to be able to foresee the future, which is unfortunately impossible.

What do kids do now with all the hours we used to spend on "money sums"?

[237SJ]

We didn't learn knitting. My Mum tried to teach me it though.

[Peter Pedant]

oh I can knit string dishcloths ....

[woofgang]

me too.

[Maydup]

Music.

Not a new subject but one that needs to be taught again. Imagine a world without music.

[fraser]

New subjects to be taught how not to be offended from someone else's opinion!!

[ummmm]

I've taught my kids how to cook and iron, the boys are much better than the girl.

I begged my mum to let my grandfather (dads dad) to move in with us. The conditions were that I was to look after him. Only at weekends, not school days, so I did his washing and ironing, made his breakfast. You learn fast when you're doing the job.

When it comes to cooking. I think a lot depends on your kitchen. I had a large kitchen/diner when my kids were growing up so they'd be sitting at the table while I was cooking...they take in more than you think. Now they're adults, my youngest is at uni and he must be the best fed student! I do his shopping.

[rowanwitch]

Up to the end of the old 5th year

I agree on maths, arithmetic and basic math skills are useful but for everyday life...
Human biology with a focus on maintaining health rather than complex physiology.
Social skills, speech and manners call it Social integration skills if you want a posh name.
Politics including debate and argument, economics and a bit of business studies
At least one language.
Art in its wider form to include visual, performance,music and poetry. Healthy minds need creative expression.
With so much travel to more out of the way places basic survival skills as well as first aid
I would also like general domestic science to include budgeting, cooking, cleaning, laundry and gardening skills.
Childcare might be worth a shot as an investment in the future
Cultural studies
Team sports, because working is often about teamworkyear

Let the main academic focus be in sixth form with it being as much about preparation for higher education as the subjects themselves

Ideally young people would leave school not just with academic skills but life skills.