Went to visit a primary school in Blackheath. I can't believe I have to register Tobes in November for classes he won't start until 2007, but that's the way they're doing it now. Like I need more stress! You'd think that the Borough of Lewisham would consider my feelings.
The problem is that I've never been into an English primary school before. This was one of the better state schools in the area but to my American eyes it looked so disorganised and dirty. I'm used to seeing rows of individual desks, usually all facing the front of the room and children seated in alphabetical order either working or listening to the teacher. What I saw yesterday were tables scattered around a room, no assigned seating, some children working, some talking to the teacher, some outside the classroom playing. There seemed to be no 'front of the classroom'. I saw one class using the interactive white boards (no plain old blackboards anymore) and the students all gathered around and sat on the floor.
I spoke to J about it and it all sounded quite normal to him so I think it might just be cultural differences. I just don't see how children can learn in such a disordered environment. I've got three other schools to visit so I'm trying to keep an open mind but inside I'm freaking out. Are they all going to be like this?! One thing I should say is that the school does have its own music room and a computer room with about thirty new PCs. They also seem to have a very well-rounded curriculum with the usual math, english, science, history plus a fair amount of art, music and sports. They also seemed to have a very international approach to their subjects. I saw the usual triangles, recorders, etc in the music room but I noticed that they also had tin drums and I noticed quite a few fine art prints in the classrooms. So, it's not all bad but it was a shock to say the least.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
nana here...schools have changed big time since you and liz went to detention for wearing cool-lots to class! you would go nuts at my new school with the great teachers and high test scores...lots of hands on, on the floor at the white board learning. liz is facing the same stress about the princess, so you girls just need to compare notes and keep socking money away for that private education...or send the little ones to their loving nana's for a REAL education!
oh ho ho - man, you and i write/think about the same things at the same time all the time. we go monday morning to see my very first english primary school! and i'm nervous and have no idea what to expect..
the private school that we have mc a place in january - they want the deposit asap and we're just not sure. i feel like i have to decide her educational future in the next week and she's only 2.5. didn't think i'd have to think about education until she was 4-5.
i'll let you know how we get on at the catholic primary on monday.. :)
Nana, so glad to hear that I'm just out of touch. I did wonder if things had changed in the US. Don't think I've been in an elementary school since I left the sixth grade!
Elizabeth, yep we're going to have to keep comparing notes! It's all so different. The school I visited was CofE (seems the religious schools are usually ranked the highest) but they're a community school first and take heathens - which is good news for us. :-)
Post a Comment