GCSE STUDENTS NOT MOTIVATED TO REVISE

WITH GCSE results pending, students confess to not being motivated by a number of the subjects they studied – and to revising less as a result.

Research from independent education foundation, Edge, reveals that 47% of GCSE students are uninspired by at least 3 of the subjects studied (out of the average 8 subjects taken). Disinterest in a subject impacts directly on study performance – 46% of those admitted they revise less for subjects that don’t motivate them, 40% switch off in class and 30% feel stressed studying for these exams.

73% feel they have only been taught to test. 65% of the students polled said their talents would have been better developed with a wider range of ‘hands on’ learning through practical and vocational courses. 57% believe everyone should study at least 1 practical and vocational subject (e.g. engineering or hospitality) as well as academic subjects like English and maths.

63% of students said they would have liked more subjects to choose from. Topping the wish list for school based learning is computer programming voted for by 22%.. Criminology (21%), film (18%) and photography (17%) follow in close succession. Other subjects voted for by young people include, Veterinary science, fashion and engineering.

To avoid the next generation of GCSE students being let down, Edge is asking students to visit:- edge.co.uk/revolution to ‘Name their subject’. The top subjects will then be delivered to politicians and policy-makers. 

If a wider choice of subjects were delivered, 87% said they feel young people would be better prepared for a job and 89% say young people would have more chance of finding what they are good at  But it’s not just about what and how you learn - who you are taught by also matters. And it would seem Lord Alan Sugar is in demand by the country’s school children as well as Government.  35% of students say they would like The Apprentice star to help them with their maths studies. Other well-known British faces who would be welcomed in the classroom include Ewan McGregor to teach drama (28%), Jacqueline Wilson for English lessons (27%) and this season’s Formula One star, Jenson Button for engineering (24%). In all, 73% of GCSE students would like to be taught by external experts alongside their teachers.

Andy Powell from Edge said:- “The GCSE students of today are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, entertainers and world leaders, but the current exam options don’t help all their talents to flourish. This research proves the menu of options for young people needs to be much more varied, offering many paths to success. Edge is calling for a revolution in the education system to ensure all students can take a broad balance of theoretical and practical courses; alongside English, maths and science.  Colleges, schools, universities, employers and the wider community all have a much bigger role to play in bringing the curriculum to life for all young people. All students learn in a different way; some respond to being taught in a practical way, some to being taught in a theoretical way and most to a combination of both; but the majority of current GCSEs on offer, and the way they are taught, favour academically minded students. This needs to change.”

Liverpool city centre gets vote of confidence

LIVERPOOL’S newly regenerated city centre has been given the thumbs up in a detailed study of the views of residents and visitors.  The Liverpool City Centre Perceptions survey questioned 1400 people about a range of issues including cleanliness, retail, crime and public transport.

The annual questionnaire is the first to be carried out following the completion of the £1 billion Liverpool One development and the £73 million city centre movement strategy, which has improved roads, pavements and pedestrian crossings.

Overall, 84% of people questioned said Liverpool has improved, compared to 68% last year. And 81% are confident about its future, despite the recession.  89% now say the city has decent shops, against 72% last time round. This coincides with the city’s meteoric rise up the national shopping league table – up from 17th place to 5th.  53% of those surveyed, now think the city centre is clean - it was 39% last year. Another 34% think it is average and just 12% believe it is dirty.

Council leader Warren Bradley said:- “The regeneration which has taken place over the last few years in the city centre has been nothing short of staggering, and I am delighted that people are pleased with the changes we and our partners have made.  We always said that the inconvenience and disruption due to the construction work would be worth it in the long term, and it is clear that we are now reaping the reward of the billions of pounds of investment.   The city centre is crucial to the success of the local economy, which is why we are not complacent and are working hard on further improvements to put Liverpool on a par with other top European cities.  We will be using all of the results and working hard on the areas where there’s still room to improve.  In particular, we know that people living in the city centre have different concerns to those of visitors and workers, so we have set up a group to work with local residents to tackle them.”

The 10 year low in city centre crime is reflected in the survey, with almost everyone who visits during the day (98%), saying it is a safe place to be. There have also been improvements in the number who feel safe in the evening – up to 63% from 53% last year.

Chief Inspector Louise Harrison from Merseyside Police said:- “Through our work with Citysafe, which brings together Merseyside Police, the health service, Liverpool City Council and the Chamber of Commerce as well as other partners, there has been a real focus on alcohol related crime and violent crime reduction. Together we have delivered a wide variety of targeted initiatives that are proven to work.   The work undertaken by officers and our partners has proved we can make a difference and has created a safer environment. However we are not complacent and will continue to work with our partners to make Liverpool city centre the safest place to live and visit in the UK.”

A total of 69% rate events to entertain visitors as good, up from 45% in 2008.

Public transport also gets a thumbs up, with 69% saying travelling into the city centre by bus is easy (68% last year), and 61% saying its easy to let the train take the strain (up from 57% in 2008).

The re-opening of St George’s Hall also may have had a positive impact – with 85% of people now saying the city’s heritage is accessible, against 77% last year.