Children under pressure?

A welter of inquiries, both government and independent, could herald major changes in the way schools work.

Teaching: the GTC magazine, spring 2008

The two independent inquiries look into how much children feel under pressure to achieve, behave and consume. The Primary Review concentrates on the education system while the Good Childhood Inquiry examines learning as one aspect of childhood as a whole.

At the end of last term, the government published its Children’s Plan, which seeks to set out a ten-year strategy. Meanwhile, the back bench select committee is continuing with its inquiry into pupil assessment.

The first interim report of the Primary Review speaks of gloom and of hope.

Gloom, that children are being forced to grow up too soon, into an increasingly perilous world – though schools can be something of a bulwark against anxiety.

And hope, when people told them they felt able to act rather than merely comply: say, as children working on projects for sustainable development, or teachers taking control of the curriculum.

The Good Childhood Inquiry is looking at how children learn, the quality and purpose of their education, how children develop and socialise, how they acquire skills and knowledge, and form attitudes and aspirations.

Meanwhile the Children's Plan proposes a possible shift to a more progress related form of testing and a review of the primary curriculum.

Debate on the role of teaching must inevitably follow these changes, says GTC Chief Executive Keith Bartley.

'We need to develop a vision for teaching and a teaching profession that will play its particular part in meeting these challenges.

'Children whose broader needs are met are more likely to reach their potential at school,which in turn is the bedrock for later success," continues Mr Bartley. 'Highly-skilled teachers and expert teaching lie at the heart of raising achievement.'

What we told the Review

'Primary education should seek to engage and inspire pupils, encourage them to enjoy learning and give every child the opportunities and experiences they need to achieve their potential.'

Find out more

GTC evidence to the Review:
www.gtce.org.uk/policy/

Primary review:
www.primaryreview.org.uk/

Good Childhood Inquiry:
www.childrenssociety.org.uk/

Children’s Plan:
www.dcsf.gov.uk/childrensplan