SPECIAL REPORT! “A SCHOOL PUPIL'S VIEW OF EDUCATION.”

15 year old Kezia has been on work placement with us over the last two weeks and has been looking at her future. Kezia is the first school work placement we have taken and it has been a very informative time for us as well. This report is a fascinating look at a 15 year old’s view of the education system and how she sees the future. Please do let us know your views on this topic by emailing us to:- news24@southportreporter.com. Thank you Kezia for this very interesting report.

The Education System
Feature by Kezia.

NOW most teenagers think that it’s a waste of time going to school, but me on the other hand, I think that at times it is a good idea and at other times it’s the worst thing to be introduced. You see when I was younger, school was enjoyable to me; being with friends, learning about different things such as the history of how the modern world came about, how to write and many other things but as I became older, school didn’t seem as interesting, the enjoyment of learning didn’t spark, I didn’t find history or geography or anything else interesting anymore.

Education has 5 stages, a bit like building an house; the nursery is the foundation, primary school are the outer walls, secondary school are the inner walls, post 16 is the roof, windows and doors then university is the furnishings within the house.

Many people say that exams are only something that tells you you’re good at exams, others say they help you with your future, but what, if any, are the real benefits of education? As far as I can see the real benefit is friends, ok maybe there is knowledge that you wouldn’t have without the subjects you’re taught in school. I feel that the curriculum is based round teaching kids what they need to know for exams - nothing more, nothing less. It doesn’t give you a rounded education, unlike when my parents were at school.

It seems to me that GCSE’s are there for the education system to see how the schools are doing in the teaching of the pupils, it’s like a piece of paper or a good position on a league table is more worthy of attention than teaching the kids who go to the school.

At least when you get to 6th form, you get treated more like a grown up, you feel more comfortable because you’re not made to wear an uniform, however this may cause problems when it comes to the attitude of pupils to one another, bullying can erupt from not having designer clothes or not having the latest shoes. You don’t have the same hours as regular school, your timetable may be structured so you have a free lesson until second period so there’s no need to turn up until later or you can go early if you don’t have a lesson after lunch. Your options are reduced as you get older it’s a bit like a pyramid, you have the base which gives you a chance to find out which subjects your good and bad at. Then, when you get to 4th year seniors, you choose those subjects and so your options decrease – the pyramid becomes a bit thinner. Then you get to 6th form and you make more choices on what you want to study – the pyramid gets thinner still. Next if you go to university your options get reduced more to the ones that help you with the career path you want – the shape starts to meet at the point but there’s one more option to be made – the job choice and this is the point of your pyramid.

University is optional, but the option of going to university comes at a cost – the cost of attending mostly which gets young people in debt before they start out in life. Is it a way of beholdening you to the government? Does the government help in any way at all? Does the £30 a week EMA they give you help? I have produced a fact file that hopefully will help.

DID YOU KNOW?

Shortage of Places... UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook has been reported as saying that at least 150,000 students will miss out on a degree place this year. Ms Curnock Cook is also quoted as saying:- "We have also got some evidence of people who are opting out of the system this year. We've got about 70,000 who have rejected their offers or who have withdrawn from the system." (Source link)

Post Graduate Debt... On average somebody graduating after a 3 year course will have amassed a debt of £15,000 at present according to the latest Sodexo University Lifestyle Survey. (Source Link) However, if the government’s proposals go ahead this figure could double.

Post Graduate Unemployment... The difficulties facing graduates in the job market have been underlined by the 2009 figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. According to Hesa’s performance indicators, the proportion of graduates who were unemployed six months after they left university rose by more than a third, from 5.7% to 8.2%, in 2007 to 08. Since then, the economic situation has worsened. The number known to be in employment fell from 63% to 61% , while 15% went on to further study and 7% to study and work. (Source link )

John Leech MP will vote against any Tuition Fee rise

THE Manchester Withington Lib. Dem. MP John Leech has confirmed that he will be voting against any Tuition Fee rises proposed as part of Lord Browne's review of University Funding.

John said:- "I signed the NUS pledge and supported our Manifesto which promised to vote against any rise in Tuition fees. I am going to keep that promise. This is a political red line for me."

Manchester Group leader Simon Ashley added:- "In the last parliament, John rebelled against having no referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, as it was a Manifesto pledge. John has the support of the whole of the Manchester party in opposing a rise in tuition fees."

Do you agree?   Emailing us to:- news24@southportreporter.com and let us know what you think about tuition fees.

Woolton gets gold

WOOLTON village has once again proved its fabulous floral displays are a cut above the rest. Judges from the National Royal Horticultural Society gathered last week in Birmingham to celebrate horticulture’s highest achievers. Woolton village represented the North West and for the second time was awarded a gold medal and named ‘Best Large Village in the UK’, fighting off fierce competition from Yorkshire, the East Midlands and South West England to name a few. Presenting the award was ‘Edible Garden’ author and Gardeners World presenter Alys Flower. This fitted the occasion as one of the highlights from Wooltons display featured an edible garden. Woolton in bloom chair, Councillor Barbara Mace, and horticulture manager Kerry Peacock accepted the award at the ceremony. Councillor Mace said:- "This is a great achievement for Woolton and Liverpool and its success is a credit to the total dedication of the Bloom Team with the invaluable support of the people of Woolton. We could not go on winning year after year without the help of the Woolton business community, the city council neighbourhood team, Enterprise Liverpool and Glendales. In addition to the fabulous flowersbeds and perfect planters, judges praised Woolton’s community engagement, cleanliness, environmental care and the work done to promote sustainable planting and encourage wildlife."

Young People to take over Town Hall

YOUNG people from across the city will have an opportunity to have their say at the annual Question Time event this week.

Held at the Town Hall, Question Time; on Thursday, 14 October 2010; will see over a hundred young people participate in debates, Q&A sessions and discussions with key stakeholders and representatives from Liverpool City Council Management Team & Cabinet, Liverpool PCT and Citysafe.

This year’s event will take its theme from the Year of Health and Wellbeing, meaning that young people will have the chance to discuss issues such as personal safety, crime and leisure & health provision to young people.

The event will begin in the Town Hall Chamber with a key note speech from Jane Corbett, Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services. Young people who attend the event will develop their debating skills whilst expressing their opinions on issues affecting young people and putting forward their suggestions and ideas.

Question Time is based on the format of the popular BBC programme, and is held each year to give young people a say on service provision and give key decision makers an insight into their views.

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said:- "The Question Time event is a great opportunity for young people to have an impact on decisions which affect them and their community. I am looking forward to gaining insight from the young people and listening to their suggestions."

For further information on the Question Time event and other activities for young people in Liverpool, please call:- 0151 233 1189 or visit:- liverpoolyouth.org.

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - MR ALEX BONNES

THE Liverpool Coroner's Office is appealing for the next of kin of a man who died on Friday, 10 October 2010, to come forward. Alex Bonnes, aged 87, died at his home address on Haven Road, Fazakerley. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. The coroner's office is now trying to trace his next of kin. Any next of kin, or anyone who knows of his next of kin, is asked to contact Liverpool Coroners Office on:- 0151 233 4705.