| Homeschooling vs public school - Is this why | | | | or low-level IT skills, with 70% of those saying it |
| parents home school? | | | | causes a significant problem for their business. |
| 'Is the System failing to teach children how to | | | | The vast majority want much higher priority |
| think?' | | | | placed on literacy, numeracy and skills such as |
| A former new Labour aide who worked closely | | | | public speaking. |
| with Tony Blair, Peter Hyman outlined that there | | | | In an article in the Observer (16/8/09), Hyman |
| should be a radical shake up of the education | | | | wrote: "There is almost an unspoken deal: we'll |
| system where GCSE’’s would be | | | | spoon-feed you the required information to pass |
| abolished. It was also highlighted that he was | | | | your exams, if you play by the rules and do your |
| convinced that the government’s direction | | | | homework on time … GCSE exam results are |
| was wrong. | | | | not a true reflection of the talent of my students |
| | | | | … It is time to scrap them." Is this the reason |
| This was just days before hundreds of thousands | | | | for homeschooling vs public school? |
| of pupils picked up their A-level results and a | | | | |
| week before GCSE grades were released; Hyman | | | | Hyman calls for a system in which all teenagers |
| says the nature of the exam system means that | | | | take a variety of exams and carry out extended |
| children are not being taught how to think. Hyman, | | | | projects between the ages of 14 and 19. A-levels |
| who was a government speechwriter and | | | | could be incorporated alongside many other |
| strategist, is now a deputy head teacher at a | | | | options but not as a standalone qualification. |
| London comprehensive. "This [criticism] is aimed at | | | | Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, |
| government," he said. "I blame the system – | | | | said: "Standing inside a classroom is very different |
| not schools for doing what they are told." His plea | | | | to standing inside a government department." |
| comes as a poll of company directors today | | | | Referring to the MP Vernon Coaker, she added: |
| reveals widespread dissatisfaction. One in five | | | | "It will be interesting now that we have a schools |
| directors describes the quality of education in | | | | minister who has been a teacher." |
| schools as poor or very poor, with half rating it as | | | | A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, |
| average. | | | | Schools and Families said there was already a |
| | | | | range of choices for pupils, such as diplomas and |
| The Institute of Directors surveyed 1,316 of its | | | | apprenticeships. GCSE reform next month would |
| members and found that one-third admitted | | | | also mean more varied questions. |
| having employees who lacked literacy, numeracy | | | | |