No Notice Inspections on Schools. Yes or No?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-29222232


Should we have Ofsted Inspections in our schools without giving the school any notice?

In my opinion we should have all inspections without any notice as we need to Ofsted to appear within our schools and nurseries without giving them any notice.

What happens to the schools who are struggling to maintain the standards that we need to have these weakness seen.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to observe teachers and the children without any notice of Ofsted in order to have the true experience of how lessons actually happen.

To me it is not catch out teachers but to have the real experiences of lessons.

I want to be a teacher and I am in agreement to have inspections without being informed so my teaching styles are being observed properly, so Ofsted can see how I actually teach.


I don't want it to get to the point when all inspections are being noticed as it could allow those who do teach that need extra help and guidance to slip through the cracks it then allows those who shouldn't be teaching to remain in schools which can damage the schools reputation and even the standard of education..

Should unqualified Teachers be in our schools?

Should we have individuals to be in our schools, teaching children in they are not qualified?




I am at university currently and I want to teach but I don't agree with those we can be employed by a free school and can teach.
I am a long with a lot of other students who want to teach working as hard as we can to get our degree to become teachers.

Yes I do agree some people who show a lot of passion in their subject would make good teachers, but am I wrong to think that they should have some form of qualification?

I don't think so, I want my own free school eventually but I want to gain enough experience so if I have parents, carers or even other teachers question me I will have the knowledge and experience to answer them.

We need our children to have a decent education and I know from what I am learning that I can take what they give me in lectures and on my work placement, and be able to put it into practice once I am qualified.

Let me put it into this perspective would you want someone who isn't a qualified doctor to perform surgery on you?

I know I wouldn't.


The quality of our education needs to continue and that begins with qualified teachers and a better curriculum.
 

Nicky Morgan The New Education Secretary Of State

Now that Gove is no longer the Education of State anymore I decided to see who the new Education Secretary of State, and her views.

I have had my views on Gove and what he wanted but now I have someone new to grill.

Morgan debated in the issue of the student fees in this country as a university student I was not happy that I would have to be in £9,000 a year in debt, it made me feel that soon only the rich will be able to go to university. And students like me who just want to go to university to have a career may suffer. Yes it means until I start to earn £21,000 I will be paying back my debts but still being in so much debt is not what I wanted.

" Morgan agreed costs could be daunting but said student numbers were unsustainable, it was fair to ask people to invest in their own education and people should ask more questions about how courses would improve prospects. Hopkins accepted that the Government had tried to find fair options but said students were taking on "excessive debts" which they would still be paying off when their own children went to university, they had no guarantee of a better job and those from poor homes would either have to choose an affordable university or not attend. In response, Morgan said university wasn't a rite of passage, there were other ways of continuing education and she herself had taken eight years to pay her debts. She would advise the Government on the debate."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicky_Morgan_%28politician%29

She may of taken eight years to pay her debt off but at the end of my degree I will be £27,000 in debt from my tuition and it is going to take me a lot longer than eight years to pay off this debt.

And Morgan sometimes university is the only option we have to become what we want to be.
I want to teach and in order for me to do that without being criticised about me doing my job, I have to go to University.

I think I will be reading news stories about this New Education Secretary of State very closely and reporting on them.

Children's TV and Junk Food

I think this article was one of those that made me think "Really we are now judging TV on our children's health" 
My main question is how is TV causing this when the parents buy the food, not the TV?

I can understand the concern at the moment about children eating too much junk but can we really put the blame on TV?
I used to watch a lot of TV which showed teenagers eating a lot of sugary food and junk food, however I never once went up to my parents and demanded to be bought that food. And I know if I did the answer would of been no.

The issue we have with food isn't on the TV but what is going on within our homes. 
It is the food parents and carers are feeding the children, we don't need to adjust what is on the TV but what is prepared in the homes, more healthy cooking education is what we need for parents and carers.

I know this News Story goes into a study that is being down at the moment with this issue, but still I don't think that TV is to blame, did they do a study on children watching these shows and what the parents chose to cook them?

We need to have parents with a more stronger mind that will turn around to there children with a healthy meal, and if they refuse to eat it then they need to learn that they can't get their own way all the time, and that if they don't eat it well then that's that.
Now a lot of us will turn around and say this is abuse as you are not feeding your child, believe me if they are really hungry they will end up eating it.
All you have to do is sit them down with the food and they can't leave the table until it is eaten, and to only leave the table for the toilet.

It may be a harsh way to get them to eat the food but as a parent you need to let your child know that you are in charge not them.

Why don't you get your child to help you with making tea and also give them a choice of some healthy options that way they are still helping to decide what they eat.

If you want to blame TV and not look closer to home then in my opinion you are very closed minded. 

Check out the whole story here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28129658 and give me your thoughts on this subject.

(And just because it is a professor giving this study doesn't mean that he is right).

Sugar Tax to cut Child Obesity

What makes me angry about this news story is that why should we have to have tax on sugar because of childhood obesity?
It then means because of some parents who allow their child to eat foods and drink fizzy drinks with a lot of sugar, more than they should, means that everyone else should pay the price.

Parents need to become more strict when they are feeding their children, as parents you decide what your child eats and drinks, you are in control of what they have, so become more strict.

I personally don't want to pay a sugar tax because we have a child obesity problem there needs to be another way.

"A "sugar tax" should be introduced by the UK government to help curb obesity in childhood, a campaign group says."

"The group wants measures brought in to cut added sugar in food by 40% by 2020, to cut fat in foods and to ban sports sponsorship by "junk food" companies."

I don't mind having sugar being reduced in food and drinks, that is a good idea as it isn't imposing a tax on everyone else but a sugar tax to me is unfair to everyone else.
I believe you need to cut sugar out of a child's diet to make sure that your child doesn't become obese, I mean who has responsibility for their child's weight and that is the parents.

Parents need to be educated in making healthier meals rather than relying on this tax, if a child becomes obese I believe the parents are at fault as they are responsible for what the child eats. 
We need to be stricter with our children on what they eat.
So reduce the amount of fast food your child eats, reduce the amount of sugary treats and drinks you give them, try and give them healthy treats.
Also if you introduce a healthy diet from a young age and you as a parent should set an example and eat healthy as well, as your child looks up to you and follows what you eat.

All the quotes come from the BBC News 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27961475  

 

Learning a Language

"The UK's education system is failing to produce enough people with foreign-language skills to meet a growing need from business, the CBI has said."

I am all for children learning languages as I chose to learn French when I was in Year 1 at Primary School in my lunch breaks, and I enjoyed it a lot as I had a good teacher and she made the lessons interesting.

However even though I had lessons from Year 1 up until Year 9 at secondary school, but I haven't used it in so long that my French isn't what it should be.

What I found was learning the language was so interesting and I picked it up so quickly when I was a child but still I haven't used it since I learnt it.

I find this a waste as I spent time learning the language and I have only used it a few times when I have visited France.


"Some 41% of businesses said knowledge of a foreign language was beneficial, while 28% believed language skills would help to build relations with overseas contacts.
French (50%), German (49%) and Spanish (44%) were identified as the most useful languages.
A total of 31% wanted staff who could speak Mandarin and 23% demanded Arabic skills.
Others identified Polish (19%), Russian (18%), Cantonese (16%) and Japanese (15%)."

I don't believe that we should pressure children into learning a language even though it is beneficial but you may get children like me who learn it, enjoy learning it but don't use the language so much to the point where you forget a lot of it, and only remember the basics of it.

All of these quotes came from the BBC News 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27948049   

SHOULD WE FINE PARENTS?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27884057

 

From reading this story that caught my eye recently I was unsure who to agree with.

 

I agree that parents need to take an active role within their children's education as they go through school, this will allow children to gain help from parents.

But I also know how hard it can be for parents to sit down in the evening and go through homework with their children, as they may be in work until 5pm. Then they have to get their children from an after school club and then get them home. Once home they have to cook dinner, eat it, bath the children and it could be around 8pm before they have a bath. And then before bed they have to sit down and do homework. You can't classed these parents as bad parents because they aren't. We all know the pressure of keeping a job and also paying bills, providing food for the family and everything else. We can't assume that parents who may not have time every night to do homework are bad parents.

 

As a university student once I am qualified to teach I wouldn't as a teacher want to make any assumptions about the parents. Children need to take responsibility themselves to remember that they have homework and need doing it.

So instead of going straight to the TV or an electronic device they can go home and begin on their homework whilist tea is cooking.

Then after tea ask for their parents to check it then it allows the parents to see what the child knows and help them further on areas they get stuck on. 

 

In regards to reading to their children every night yes this should happen although the parents want to hear the child read, so they can see how their language development is coming along. There is a simple solution have them read to you before bed.

 

 

These "Issues" that some may class as "bad parenting" aren't and are very easy to solve as you can see from my post.

Pupils and Technology

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27040957

This news story caught my eye today as most of my posts are about children, and children getting addicted to tablets.

One who provides the children with the tablets?

Parents or family members! 

Instead of buying young children tablets why not get them toys that allow them to build towers so they can develop the basic skills that they need for their development.

We can't keep blaming others when we caused this.

Why don't you enforce rules when they use the tablet so they are not on it so much?

I am not a parent but I do know from work experience that you need to enforce rules with children.

 

Families My views on a BBC News Story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27027677

This is the link to a news story that I began to read and found very strong views coming from them.

This quote from this news story made me think "Teachers warn days of up to 10 hours in school or childcare result in children who do not talk to anyone, fall asleep and lag behind their peers" BBC, 2014.

I personally do not agree with this comment. I was in full time child care as my mum needed to work and it was easier on her for me to be in child care.

Personally I believe that 10 hour days yes is long for children, but how can a family provide for their children if they don't work?

Parents find it difficult to fit work and family life together which goes back to my point that we should extend school days in order to help families.

It will benefit them all as it allows children to gain help with homework or to engage in an activity that they enjoy.

The comment of it will result in children who don't talk to anyone, how do we know that is due to being in child care or school for a long period of time? 

Some children are shy and maybe they don't talk because they don't have anything to say.

The falling asleep could be a problem in school as nap times no longer exist but in nurseries they do, and if they get enough sleep the night before it will help them through their day.

Which is why I suggested if the school hours were extended were to have activities they chose so then they can relax before they go home.

I agree with the Government saying that the family needs to decided what is best but in order to feed their children, house them, clothe them and provide them with Maslow's Basic Needs parents needed to work, as in this day and age it has been shown that you need both parents working in order to provide and raise a family without struggling.

The issue on the blame on technology slightly angers me as parents and family members decide to give and buy their children the technology and if they chose to use that then spend time with their mum and dad how can you blame technology?

You didn't have to buy that product for the child but you did and you need to suggest guidelines so that they spend time with the family.

The issue mentioned saying that children aren't a priority as parents have to work is wrong, children are a priority because the parents are working for that child's benefit, we live in a world where the employee needs to be flexible not the employer and we know that.

Even before we chose to have a family everyone knows that at some point if you return to work that you child might be in childcare but it doesn't mean parents value work more than their children, otherwise you would have more stay at home parents or part time parents who are struggling to provide for that child.

In my opinion 4 years old is the right age for school, it didn't affect me or any of the other children who started school at 4 with me, at this time school helps children to develop their skills and they still have the importance of play in their curriculum.

The starting school at 2 no I don't think should happen, having more places in nurseries for 2 year old yes that should happen as you don't want them in education from 2 you want them to play and experience their childhood.

By 4 years old they can dress themselves go to the toilet and also have developed their language skills, as some children don't start talking until 3.

 

    

I know this one isn't technically about the educational system but in a way it is

My post this time is about the BBC 3 documentary on Porn what is the Harm? 

What I found watching this that why didn't any every suggest for the parents to set up filters on their on PC and their children's laptops?

This can then allow parents to block any websites or explicit videos/ images being seen accidentally by the children.

Some may say well not every one is technical which is true however when you get a new PC or laptop then it gives you the option to turn on family safeguard or something similar to that.

So why aren't we doing this before complaining to the Government about it?

I know sometimes it is easier to blame before research yourself.

The issue with accessing it via mobile phones my main point is that parents normally pay for the mobile phones and if they set rules to use the WiFi in the house and have the filter on your own WiFi then you won't be able to see those images.

When it comes down to friends showing their friends pictures and images that parents don't wish them to see that is a problem, but if it does happen there needs to be a relationship between the child and their parents.

So then they can go to them and ask them about it and then the parents can take the matter into their hands and could contact the parents of the other child and let them know what their child is accessing so they know, as you never know those parents may not know what their child is watching.

I did agree with Skepta when he mentioned about children not having the relationship with parents and not being able to talk to them about it, I know it can be hard for children to open up to their parents but parents need to try and maintain this relationship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwKgg35YbC4

This link should appear in more schools to show the impact of Sexting and it may prevent it.

We need to include the issue of porn into our educational system in order to try and educate children that Porn is not showing what Sex is really like, and how the story lines of porn some of the more hard core porn is not treating the women or men right in them and to try and prevent them from trying out a story line which could be a rape story line.

In the UK we need a better educational system for secondary and primary school, and this issue needs to be included.

Let me know what you think on this serious issue.        

 

IS OUR SEX EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS REALLY HELPING STUDENTS?

From the Sex Ed lesson I had in year 9 there was so much that I feel should of been included within it in order to say that you explained everything they needed to know in order to prevent teenage pregnancy or from catching AIDS or an STD or STI.

Whether they listen is another thing.

BUT!!!

Why miss out on things that can help to prevent this.

Number 1: Instead of just mentioning the Pill, femidom and the condom in sex education lessons why not explain all of the ways to prevent pregnancy and catching anything.

1. The Pill
2. Condom
3. Abstinence
4. Femidom
5. Coil
6. Implant
7. Cap
8. Injection
9. Diaphragm
10. Contraceptive patch'
11. Ring
12. IUS
13. IUD   

As you can see there is a variety of contraception but why is so little being taught?

Another point that wasn't brought in my lesson was learning about how long before you pill counts as a missed pill and what can be the outcome of that.

Also I have known that a lot of girls become pregnant as they are unaware that antibiotics can cancel out your pill.

The main bulk of my lesson was how to be a condom on properly, talking about condoms and the pill and basically how condoms protect against STDs and that was it.

If we want our kids to be safe then sex ed classes need to be better.

And also sometimes they need to give sex education classes before Year 9, as some are sexual activity from the moment they have periods which can be 11 years old.

 

The plan of the extend school hours should occur in Primary and Secondary schools.

 

YES I SAID IT IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY!!

 

The reason I believe this should happen in secondary schools is that when I had double cooking I didn't really learn how to make meals but how to bake.

 

Now how many teenagers go away to university and can't cook and struggle?

 

LOADS!!!

 

So why not have cooking in the after school period so that they can cook their family a meal that they can eat for dinner, it's not hard you can extend the last lesson at 3:30 to 5pm at the lastest in order for them to have prepared their meal.

 

Some would say that you are taking away their choice in what to do in the extended time but if you did this once every 2 weeks it is only 1 day that has an lesson in it.

 

Cooking wasn't the only thing that I didn't learn much in really.

 

For example renting a flat.

 

No one tells you all the cost sometimes you just find out first hand and for some it can be difficult especially if you never thought that  you had to pay for the deposit and rent for the first month and also all your bills.

 

So a financing lesson would benefit everyone.    

Ok as I haven't heard anything of anyone I am guessing that I have supporters who do believe that we should extend school days.

 

Here is an example of what the school day would look like if it was extend.

 

0850-0950 Lesson 1

0950-1000 Lesson 2

1000-1015 Break

1015-1115 Lesson 3

1115-1215 Lesson 4

1215-1330 Lunch

1330-1400 Assembly etc

1400-1530 Last Lesson

1530-1630 After school Activity and Homework Help

1630-1700 Meal Time

1730 Hometime

 

Looking at it this way seems like a lot of time spending in school and not enough of time at home with their parents.

 

Here is an example of a working day for a parent if they worked until 5:30

 

0630 Waking up

0700 Breakfast Time

0730 Getting the children ready for school and doing lunch boxes.

0800 Taking the children to school

0830 Either dropping off to before school club or waiting for the children to go into school.

0900 Work

1200 Lucnh

1700 Finished work

1730 Picking the children up from after school club

1800 Arriving back at home

1900 Dinner

1930 Bath the children ready for bed and help out with children's homework

2000 Bedtime for the children.

2200 Bedtime

 

Now compare this one to the children's one. Looking at them you can see that a full time working parent has a very packed schedule that they need to follow to provide for the family. I am not saying that parents put work over families I am only saying that their schedule is very full on and by having the school one I made it allows lessons not to be rushed and to also allow an club to part of their curriculum and to also have homework help, whilst having a meal (something to keep them going until dinner).

 

This will benefit everyone during the week.

But this is just my opinion.  

   

  

Still on the Topic of Longer School Days? Or Not?

IF IT CAN WORK IN ANOTHER COUNTRY WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY HERE?

I am a student studying Early Childhood Studies so I am not just a random person who is just posting statements like this one and my previous post.

The reason I think we should try to extend school hours is that the cost of childcare is getting really expensive and if the child is at school then shouldn't we find a way to help families out? Especially if they are trying to balance work and family life and some know that it is not that easy.

What an issue would be that a lot of people including family members and professionals within this sector would argue and say that it is bringing children's childhood to an end.

I am not suggesting that, if you think about it some children go from school to clubs anyway that they chose.

Why can't we allow every child to get involved in a club of their choice whether teachers or trained professionals take the students to a swimming pool to do swimming lessons or anything they want.

It doesn't have to be a physical club, as long as the children enjoy it, it will not affect and take a child's childhood away. (Especially if they go to an after school club anyway)

Also if you have children who need help with homework that may not get support from home or enough time with the teacher during the current school times this will benefit them so much.

It allows children to get the extra support and then be confident in that subject that they currently find hard.

I do advertise you to read this reference as it tells you what they do in Germany and how it benefits the children.

Oberhuemer, P., Schreyer, I. and Newman, M. (2010) Professionals in Early Childhood Education and Care Systems: European Profiles and Perspectives, Opladen & Farmington Hills: Barbara Budrich. pp.167-90.

    

And Please voice your opinions I want comments and discussions and I have many more topics that I wish to discus on this blog.

Longer School Days? Or not?

Should we Extend our school hours?

As a country we have always tried to support our family as well as work, but sometimes it can be difficult when our children finish school at 3:30 and some parents are still in work.

Wouldn't it be simple to extend school hours to fit around family life?

Think about it. Is it you as a employee who has to be flexible or the employer?

Before you all start to say NO!! As play is important. 

My vision of extend school hours would be until 5:30 and those extra 2 (YES ONLY 2 EXTRA HOURS) would be used for extra curriculum activities. Like having PE clubs that actually last an hour excluding the getting ready for it.

Also it can allow teachers to help children who may struggle with certain subjects without feeling rushed.

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS ON THIS SO PLEASE COMMENT AND CHALLENGE MY IDEA!