Should more emphasis in education be placed on classic rather than modern subjects?

[Aiden]

Yeah you're right (of course I wouldn't question your math skills!). So this plan is more financially beneficial? Good! That would be a 30k save across like 10 - 20 subjects (£300k - £600k saved). Haha.

G

[Krazybethw]

In my opinion, schools should guide the student more. They should have career chats with them before chosing thier options (my school didnt do this until we were planning college). In the careers appointment they ahould discuss what careers they are thinking about and then base their options on tjose subjects, so for example if someone wanted to work in a musuem, it might be a good idea to pick history, re, media/art(something to help them to do good displays and interaction etc, and then leave the final option up to them as their choice sort of thing. I think you need to know what the students wants/ thinks they want to do as a career and work it from there. When I did my gcse's I chose media, art, spanish and product design. I left college without getting a-levels and I dont have a job. What I chose wasn't what I wanted to do. Luckily the open university exists andbi can start a degree without my a levels as I am doing in october.

[Kyle]

The sole purpose of taking GCSEs early appears to be in order to better tick boxes to free up time for more worthwhile pursuits: A sign that the education system is - as it has always been -a means to an end, rather than something of any real use. Core subjects that teach basic skills applicable in wider areas of work life should naturally be held in high regard, but to suggest that the influx of less classical subjects is somehow devaluing education is a little bit absurd. A distinction between education and academia needs to be drawn here.

[Empired]

In my opinion, schools should guide the student more. They should have career chats with them before chosing thier options (my school didnt do this until we were planning college). In the careers appointment they ahould discuss what careers they are thinking about and then base their options on tjose subjects, so for example if someone wanted to work in a musuem, it might be a good idea to pick history, re, media/art(something to help them to do good displays and interaction etc, and then leave the final option up to them as their choice sort of thing. I think you need to know what the students wants/ thinks they want to do as a career and work it from there. When I did my gcse's I chose media, art, spanish and product design. I left college without getting a-levels and I dont have a job. What I chose wasn't what I wanted to do. Luckily the open university exists andbi can start a degree without my a levels as I am doing in october.

But that expects every child to know what they want to do by the age of 15. I'm in Year 13 and still don't know what I really want to do. I chose my A-Levels by deciding what would leave the most doors open for me in the future, so a lot of degrees/careers value History whilst choosing Catering would limit your options a lot.

I had career advice and found it absolutely useless. I received mixed messages from the same guy from "you need to know exactly what you want to do RIGHT NOW" to "whatever you think you want to do now, you'll change your mind in the future".

[Krazybethw]

But that expects every child to know what they want to do by the age of 15. I'm in Year 13 and still don't know what I really want to do. I chose my A-Levels by deciding what would leave the most doors open for me in the future, so a lot of degrees/careers value History whilst choosing Catering would limit your options a lot.

I had career advice and found it absolutely useless. I received mixed messages from the same guy from "you need to know exactly what you want to do RIGHT NOW" to "whatever you think you want to do now, you'll change your mind in the future".

I admit that not everyone knows and to be honest, I knew what what I wanted to do but because I never had the chance to see someone to make the best decision, I didnt and tbh im paying for that now. I think by seeing a career advisor at that age it will give people more thought of what they want to do.

[lemons]

when i did gcses we were encouraged to follow the english bacc (english, maths, science, hist/geog, mfl) which i think should be compulsory gcse subjects, and then allow students to pick whatever they want which they may consider doing at a-level or even if they're just 'doss subjects'

i had 4 other subjects which i got to choose one of which i studied from year 9 to year 10 and one we only studied for 2 months before the exam in year 11 and i got good grades for both

i think doing gcses early is fine if it allows time for you to get more gcses or to spend more time on other subjects

retaking gcse exams is also fine but let's face it the only reason they let you is to boost school league tables and school reputation, this is also the reason why so many schools offer igcse english language as well as normal english now which is ridiculous seeing as only the highest grade counts

i also have a big issue with schools (mine anyway) forcing students to do btec science instead of gcse, you don't learn ANYTHING and they're a huge waste of time

[GommeInc]

The school system needs an overhaul. Some subjects should or already cater for sub-subjects e.g. Drama often appears in English Literature (if schools still do that GCSE). Alternatively, extra curriculum activities should really focus on these sorts of things. At my school there was no GCSE subject for Drama or Music as it was/is pointless - we just did productions as an extra at the end of school to work on and it is something you can put on a reference list/CV to go on to college with - it's what I and a few friends did at least.

There should be set subjects, with the option to do other activities at the end of the school day. Emphasis on option - these should not be forced on schools where teachers with no interest or expertise in these activities conduct them. At my school we had a really enthusiastic music teacher who worked well with a part-time teacher who helped with dyslexic children who did drama at the end of school once a week for students who were really interested in it - and it worked. We had about 2 major productions a year. One was an actual play held at the end of the summer term and another production was a Variety and Talent Show.

Extra sporting activities were held after school such as table tennis, golf, rugby and football.

Subjects like music and media studies are an interesting area to consider. It makes me think that there should be a "module" held at GCSE where you do a project on these areas e.g. something on Music or Media, maybe even Politics and Law but obviously watered down and not too heavy (much like GCSEs - useless outside of school as they do not go deep enough).

I wouldn't be offended if school was held between 9 and 4 or 5. Other countries are doing it and the world is a much more complex and difficult place to live. Reserving the reality of life to college or University just means you have ignorant college or university students and it really isn't their fault.

[happensw]

Classics are always good, however modernities bring student a taste of reality, keeps them in tune. I'd suggest the young studying classic subjects and research on what has been to understand better what's going on now! Modern subjects are more intended for adults who want to develop in the day-to-day changing world. Young students have much trouble with humanities and science, as they should understand the basics first, and only after then can they make a conclusions on the modern world. My opinion. And for those students, who really have no time, but aren't ready to fall behind with academic results - buy essays online and feel comfortable with any paper on any subject! Good luck!