I think the way to improve education would be-
A disciplinarian attitude to very bad or frequent bad behavior.
An option to force ferile youths into the military for extremely bad behavior in or out of school.
Increased specialisation in vocations for those who do not excel academically.
Some sort of Academic selection (less rigorous then pre 75).
Allow the academically and culturally gifted to flourish.
Removal of RE and Citizen as compulsory subjects to allow for variety.
IMO, exams are not as easy as many think, they should maybe be a bit harder but not so hard that only 1% can get A*.
Just my opinion, feel free to rip it apart from a Guardianista perspective.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:37, 3 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

A good kicking is what you whippersnappers need. ;-)

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:38, Reply)

By "culturally gifted" do you mean "posh"?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:39, Reply)

He means stream young
so the children of the middle-class get the education they so deserve, and those who haven't yet developed get sidetracked into subjects befitting of what they are capable of- manual ones, or perhaps being maids.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:41, Reply)

Too right!

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:45, Reply)

It seems to be this sort of opinion that is causing this country to have a fucking disgracefully low aptitude at practicalities.
Think about it. A good plasterer or plumber or ENGINEER (vocation can also entail a high level or pay and worthiness) can become a Loadsamoney, and we wouldn't have half the need for Polish labourers, etc.
With probably a third of the population it is a waste of time to educate them in such academic subjects beyond 11, unless their literacy and numeracy are inadequate.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:55, Reply)

Where did you get that figure of a third from?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:58, Reply)

No rush, in your own time.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:12, Reply)

School isn't the place to find that out
sixteen is the earliest point to decide that, and this country should follow in Germany's wake and take a leaf out of their book.

Just saw the edit. We should write off a third of the country as being non academic at the age of 11? Absolutely amazing
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:58, Reply)

Where would the scaffolders be without poles?
Fucked. That's where. They'd just have planks and this would do nothing for the building trade.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:59, Reply)

It's a good thing he's only a child and thus his opinion is completely irrelevant.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:00, Reply)

Good at Music.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:52, Reply)

What if they're shit-hot at composition but all thumbs when it comes to performance?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:03, Reply)

They should have their thumbs cut off.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:08, Reply)

They should have
thumbs cut off is very much
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:15, Reply)

Yes, we should force people into the military
that's a really good idea, lets have an armed forces full of people who we couldn't educate properly.

Sorry, that's the ludicrous guardianista in me picking holes in that idea. Clearly it's a bullet proof plan.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:47, Reply)

The whole thing is a mess
even those bits that are good ideas and discussed by actual experts are so clearly motivated by an agenda
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:50, Reply)

We need more well trained, heavily armed idiots.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 20:51, Reply)

Thing is, the military could turn them into respectful, hardworking people who will at least attempt to contribute to society

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:00, Reply)

So why aren't all kids in the military, if they are so much better than teachers at educating?

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:01, Reply)

Because most children have been taught enough sense not to smash a bus shelter/ skull.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:02, Reply)

How many children smash skulls out of interest?

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:17, Reply)

Yes, of course it will
that's what the military excels at. It turns illiterate uneducated people into major contributers to society.

Do you know how much higher the pregnancy rates are in garrison towns?

Soldiers are not particularly responsible people.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:02, Reply)

*Taking the safety off and the gun out of the holster lolz*
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:03, Reply)

Too much Bad Lad's Army I think

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:15, Reply)

We CAN educate everyone properly, the vast majority of the "uneducated" seem in fact to be the willfully ignorant.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:01, Reply)

You're so wonderful
I can't wait until you actually meet some of these "willfully ignorant" people and tell them that.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:03, Reply)

I've met loads, for god sake a lot of the people in Wolverhampton fit into this category.
I have nothing against unintelligent people, I have a thing against unpleasant irresponsible people who rely on other decent people to clean up their shit then try ruin their lives. Rich or poor, toff or scally.
But there is very much a correlation between these people and thickos.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:07, Reply)

their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much
their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much their is very much
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

I'm sure "their" is.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Remember lots of youths are ferile

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:12, Reply)

They are the worst kind fo youths.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:15, Reply)

Are you going to be a teacher when you grow up then?

( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:06, Reply)

No, too much risk of teaching in a sink school.

(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:08, Reply)

So you're prepared
Despite your assertions than "We can educate everyone" to allow the wilful masses to proliferate?
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Oh he knows what the solution is
but he's fucked if he's actually going to put his money where his mouth is and do something about it.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:11, Reply)

money +gun
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:13, Reply)

See I don't think the education system is bad overall, and the state school that I go to is amazing
But if YOU wan't to make it better, this is what I GATHER you COULD do.
(888777555, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:14, Reply)

Err - your English GCSE
Did it encompass punctuation?
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:16, Reply)

Have you started WRITING for the SUN?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:16, Reply)

for to
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:17, Reply)

I'm not one for gambling, but I'd put a lot of money on him ending up in IT support.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Starting as a Junior Helpdesk Analyst

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:10, Reply)

Or on a register

( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 25 Aug 2011, 21:11, Reply)