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St Catherine’s News Autumn 2022
Learners T O D AY ’ S
The children of today are learning so much more, and at a higher level than generations past.
As both a student and an educator, I feel I am in a good position to critically compare today’s learners to that of my time, roughly 50 years ago – a time people often reflect back to as the benchmark of a ‘good education’.
Whilst critics may cite spelling mistakes, poor handwriting and incorrect change given by a teenager at the local shop as examples of a failing school system, I contend that today’s learners are far better thinkers and seekers of information than any generation before them.
School in my primary years focussed on Maths, English, Social Studies, some Science, Music and Physical Education. The focus was rote learning of content. Yes, we knew our times tables because we spent a huge amount of time chanting them each day, and we were good at spelling, grammar and punctuation because again, so much time was spent teaching them.
My education was based on knowing things for immediate recall, writing and spelling well and ‘doing’ Maths. Very little was based on understanding. In fact, asking why or how was pretty much discouraged. I can remember asking a question and being told, “Don’t ask questions, it works – just do it!”
In contrast, today’s Barbreck Year 6 students study English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Art, Music, Physical Education, Health, Wellbeing, French, STEM, Band and leadership skills as part of our Ambassador
