Page 10 - link magazine

10 EDUCATION MATTERS

- Looking do n the wrong end of a tunnel
Last month Westlea headteac er Neil Griffiths wrote an article on his initial impressions of a visit
he made to the United States over the Easter holidays to teach American teachers how the
education system operates in E ngland. In this second piece, he reflects on the atmosphere to be
found in a typical classroom an d worries at the thought that the British education system may be
going backwards.
IJSI3ORJsJE Pupils commence schoolat4, remain complete without its collection of be filled in and coloured.

BOOKS AT HOME in what they call the 'elementary' Disney characters which don almost The consequence of such an
system until they are twelve and every classroom wall encouraging approach to learning is that many
Weneedfriendly,enthusiasticPeople transfer to a High School until pupils to be 'eager beavers' or 'bright American pupils are bored,
to sell our bright and informative approximately l8years of age. Class scholars,' or its famous 'roll of frustrated and often under-
children's books. sizes are usually around the 20 mark honour' boards. Here pupils who achieving. There is little opportunity
and the length of day and holidays 'achieved,' whether it be in for individuality and children
lf you have a car and a telephone and
would enjoy a rewarding part-lime during the year are approximately mathematics or basket-ball, have become naturally disruptive and
the same as those in the U.K. their names painted, usually in gold, lacking in motivation.
job, contact Liz Mann on 872081 However, American teachers I
for farther details. No American school would be to take their place in the school
historical archives. found to be extremely caring and
What impresses you most is the sensitive and such an approach is
SUNK BY EXAM RESULTS? DON'T PANIC fastidious tidiness and attention the not one they would choose. They
notion of everything having its place. are forced to adopt a system over
We specialise in new, repeat and retake programmes
Corridors are spotless, endless and which they have had little influence
ADVICE AVAILABLE FROM 9.30am - 12noon and 1pm to 4pm bordered by boards of beautifully in constructing. But many schools
ON WEDNESDAY 29th AUGUST symmetrical displays, cabinets have seen the light and have been
gleaming with trophies and those given the freedom to develop a more
I I rows of children's lockers which no appropriate curriculum and provide
American teenage movie would be rich environments and approaches
/Jt without. to learning which highly motivate
Primary school libraries would their pupils.
— be the envy of any British provincial Nevertheless, very few are free of
- town, yetappearas new in condition the ever looming, ever present
- '- -. as the day they opened, perhaps 'testing.' The rule appears to be, 'if
reflecting the lack of appropriate it moves, test it!' I have yet to visit a
--, use. school in the United States where
Of even greater interest to me testing wasn't to be found
New Colleg was the Principal's (headteacher) somewhere, its presence advertised
Heiston Road, Park No Swindon office; large enough to hold a for all to see by the now infamous
Telephone (0793) 611470 children's party and furnished with "quiet please - testing in progress"
A A A A A A A A A A A A. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A my life's ambition - leather, high- door sign.
A V backed swivel chair! For pupils it becomes second
Classrooms are vastly different nature. Indeed they appear to
Raymond Stansfield
3 from those in most British schools, respond to it much as they do to
A DECORATOR with desks in neat, ordered rows cleaning their teeth; its not much
A and little evidence of children's work fun at the time, but at least it pleases
with over 30 years experience. on the walls. In their place, yes those their parents. However cleaning of
A . Disney characters appear again, teeth is necessary for healthy growth,
informing pupils of capital letters which is more than we can say for
Craftsman in Paint and Decor and full stops, tables or the day's testing. At the end of the day, one
date. must admire the teachers forfinding
SPECIALIST in Paperhanging, Graining, Few are without the addition of a enough time to complete material to
A
Marble, and Decorative Effects & Finishes. .. caged rabbit, mice or stick insect test them upon in the first place!
A and the focal point important to all - Certainly if you want to cause
V the gold star chart. For those who nervous tension and force any
V
Telephone: (0793) 874299 U. have numerous stars, (they are American teacher to consider an
" U. awarded for good work, good alternative career, then simply
behaviour and for being a good enquire how 'grading is going.'
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A..
United States citizen), it is a place The tragedy is that those it effects
they regularly visit and encourage most are not the teachers, but the
parents and visitors such as myself pupils upon whom it places
CARTER, GOVIER, READ to do the same. It is interesting to enormous labels of A,B,C,D,E and
note that the child with only a few most significantly 'F - as clearas the
SOLICITORS never seem to mention them. 'L' plate on a car.
The curriculum offered the pupils At the end of a rewarding day in
is prescriptive to the extreme. Indeed a school full of delightful pupils and
Contact us for all your legal needs the manual for teachers on how to caring teachers who are fighting a
instruct Early Numbers to their system which seems to have
including pupils extends to over 1,000 pages, forgotten the very nature of the child
with smaller print than the yellow and how itlearns, one must consider
house sales & purchases,
pages! the irony that whilst they look to
matrimonial matters and criminal law Pupils work largely from the ever Britain for leadership in education,
present'worksheet' which are 'run- and a light at the end of the tunnel
off' like £5 notes from the Royal where education is child centred,
34 - 35 Commercial Road, Swindon Mint. To the pupil it must seem as if we in Britain are being asked to peer
the source of such sheets is a back through the tunnel and adopt
Tel: 617617 bottomless pit. When one is finished, the very system they are so desperate
there is always another waiting to to change.