The JSPrice Secondary Education Manifesto

As we edge closer to the general election, I find myself even more engaged in politics. I watch more speeches, keep an eye on the poll-of-polls religiously, and bore people with my views. Most recently, I attended one of Ed Miliband's Question Time sessions as he's touring the country answering questions which matter to the British public. I was impressed by how he answered nearly every question fired at him, ranging from the Barnett formula to fracking. From asylum seekers rights to vote, to extremism in Nigeria. From supporting small businesses, to pledging better rights for those short of hearing. But what was missing, and it's a trend with other political parties, is how to completely change the education system.

The Conservative-led government seem to believe that adding free schools supported by taxpayers and millionaire donors is the way forward. David Cameron supports their success as exam results from these schools are better than that from state schools. Of course he has the statistics which supports his claim, but I question if these schools teach the modern child about life after 16. Certainly, schools don't need to teach teenagers how to be an adult but I know of current 16-year-olds leaving school that aren't aware of how to fend for themselves. We see statistics that an increasing number of 16-17 year olds are moving out of their parents' homes, making the first steps in their career ladders, or starting a family - but are they prepared for these life changes?

Meanwhile, recent figures show a large rise in young people with a mental health issue of some sort - where that may be stress or depression. Many teenagers feel pressurised to achieve so much at a young age, those who don't pass feel discouraged to motivate themselves and earn a living. Little has been done to address this.

This isn't the fault of anyone. There is so much parents can teach their sons and daughters. But the school curriculum at the moment is so limiting and hasn't really changed since I left High School in 2007. Everything is done in textbook fashion but it doesn't need to be this way. These textbooks can be changed so they can prepare 16-year-olds into the "real world".

Here's how I think secondary schools need to change its GCSE syllabus:

Compulsory subjects:

**ENGLISH & WRITTEN SOCIETY**

Reading and writing is part of our daily lives. However, the English language is changing at an extremely fast rate. It's difficult for schools to teach the new literature because they value the origins of English too. It's a dilemma and the government believes Shakespeare is as important as Rowling. Maybe, but delving into William Shakespeare, whose work is like learning a new language altogether, will drift people away to learning English that matters today.

• Focus on modern literature - JK Rowling, Hanif Kureishi. Discover their path to literacy success, learn about their written styles and how it's relevant to modern society.
• Learn different writing styles - journalism, short stories, academic essays, speeches, script writing, and so on.
• Learn history and key timeline of literature and how it has developed overtime. While it's important to revise William Shakespeare stories, let young people learn English before Shakespearean.
• Exam focus on language and creativity.

**MATHEMATICS**

Currently, maths is focused on theories that have been created centuries ago. The focus needs to be steered to modern relevance. Algebra is great for the mind and should be taught at GCSE level - but our mind-set is mainly on how much things cost, 'if I spent that, I'd still have enough for x, y and z'. Money is more than that. If 16 year olds want to live by themselves in the near future and/or get a job, start a family, maths should be a great platform for them to prepare for this route.

• Focus on Personal Economics - learn about VAT, utility bills, budgeting.
• Learn statistics and use spreadsheets for financial means.
• Less emphasis on algebra and Pythagoras Theorem.

**SCIENCE**

The current science syllabus is limited to those who want to be biologists, physicists or chemists. These job roles are vital, but science is more than that. The science syllabus should really teach us how to look after the ill, where that may be our family member or someone who has fallen in the middle of the road. I think the current science syllabus should help the next generation of potential care workers and nurses understand and appreciate complex diseases suffered by the ageing population like dementia and Alzheimer's. Learning these illnesses can help combat the 'care crisis' that have overshadowed the industry in recent years.

• Ditch photosynthesis, digestive system, gravity and how to use a Bunsen Burner from the GCSE syllabus as these should be taught and moved on between years 7-9.
• Focus on illnesses - learn about dementia, Alzheimer's, cardiac arrests, stroke, various cancers, Asperger's Syndrome, deafness, schizophrenia, and so on. Chemistry should look at various medications and which can be used to help sufferers cope.
• How to use a First Aid Kit - what's in it, and so on.
• Learn how the weather is forecasted in addition to climate change.
• Sex, Drugs and rock 'n' roll - what is needed to know and potential dangers and current regulations.

**DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES**

The news bangs on about how young people are being exposed to the dangers of the internet and that it's their parents who should teach them. But today's teenagers are increasingly independent. There is so much a parent can control. It is also a generational issue too. Children are on the computers, on their phones constantly - schools can help them head towards the 'right' direction and use the internet more safely and be more independent if their systems or hardware crashed.

• Learn how to dissect a computer - learn the hardware.
• Learn the software including the internet, anti-virus.
• The rise in internet security and use of social media, parental controls.
• Less focus on bus networks.

Optional subjects:

**LANGUAGES**

There is a higher number of young people opting to spend some time abroad - where that be to volunteer, travel or emigrate permanently. Australia and United States are among the more popular destinations, but why not countries where English isn't their first language? Schools can help those who want to go abroad without relying on the other person to speak English.

• Encourage one of Welsh, Scottish/Irish Gaelic, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic and Spanish. Basic tuition, geography and culture with emphasis on at least one in each secondary school GCSE level.

**RELIGIOUS STUDIES**

Religion is a hot topic point at the moment, and it's a difficult subject to teach because in my experience, those who teach it in school follow a specific religion so it's natural for them to be slightly biased. There are so many religions celebrated in the UK, we know little about them and if we do, it is usually something negative with the rise of religious extremism, for example.

• Learn about different branches of Christianity (for example; Catholicism, Protestant, Jehovah's Witness, Mormons), Islam (Sunni and the like), Judaism. Learn key points and attitudes, and focus on benefits and modern perceptions.
• Learn about the rise in atheism.
• Future of religion - reassurance regarding extremism.

 **PERFORMING ARTS**

The media industry is arguably one of the most competitive fields. I should know! But as a PR professional myself, I was never taught anything related to this until I was in college, and even then we only touched on it. We're getting more conscious of our reputation, and expressing ourselves through acting or music. Let's put it in one bubble and this can really help young people expand on their creative horizons.

• Link up between Music, Drama, Film, Art and Public Affairs.
• Learn to create original screenplays.
• Learn how to film - using handheld cameras and mobile phones to start.
• Basic editing and illustration - digital art.
• Introduction to publicity, advertising and PR - promoting work and definition of reputation by social media.

 **HISTORY AND MODERN POLITICS**

Ed Miliband of the Labour Party wants 16 year olds to vote, but while that's something I'd advocate, people that age admit they don't know enough about politics. Politics is taught in a limited number of schools but History and Geography is taught everywhere, yet these three can be intertwined. Let's link them together and engage first-time voters.

• British history post-World War II - learn about how Baby Boom society has shaped the 21st Century (women's rights, equal rights).
• Introduction to the current political system.
• Invite police chiefs, local councillors and MPs to schools for talks.
• Introduction to the current monarchy system.
• Less focus on US history.
• Introduction to current export and import laws.
• History of the European Union.
• Crime & Punishment - history and introduction to current laws.
• Introduction to Global Economics.
• By Year 9, students should already know Tudors & Stuarts, Battle of Hastings, and these should not be repeated in GCSE level.

**PSYCHOLOGY**

We are more conscious of ourselves, everything we do has psychological implications to it. Learning human behaviour is so fascinating and Psychology can help people understand why people act the way they do.

• Studying the human brain and human behaviour.
• Conduct many Quantitative Researches.
• Studying mental health.

**BUSINESS STUDIES**

This current government celebrates the business world and how many SMEs are around in the UK doing good for their local communities, providing vital services. They should be celebrated, and it's certainly encouraging more young people to start-up. But the current GCSE syllabus isn't doing so much to give these ambitious individuals the platform and motivation to set foundations.

• Guide to running a business.
• Invite regional CEOs to talk to young people.
• Learn mathematics - profit projections, etc.
• Basic guide to stocks and the London Stock Exchange.

**INDUSTRY**

While I think it's great to see the number of apprenticeships offered rising, introducing thousands of these I feel isn't solving the 'skills shortage crisis' that industry leaders nag about. Local businesses can contribute to nearby schools and show young people the ropes from as early as 14. Then when they're 16, young people can get a job in the field of their choice with at least the basic skills so that this crisis can be seen as something more positive.

• Link up Design & Technology, Textiles, Food Technology.
• School partners with smaller and larger corporations in the local area and teach 14-16 year olds the ropes of working in such industries - carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying, shoemaking, cookery, waiting, cleaning. The government can give grants to businesses that accept to introduce this notion.
• Be taught about the administrative process.

**FITNESS STUDIES**

Physical Education is called 'Games' today for a reason. Young people are just having a kick about and the brightest potential talent are coming from private specialist sport schools which is fine, but state schools aren't given a chance. Additionally, young people are being targeted by health officials and the media for being obese. Teenagers are in school for much of the day, P.E. need to guide those heading, or branded that way to alter their lifestyle which would give them prolonged life, and 'not waste NHS money'.

• Learn about dietary requirements - obesity, healthy eating.
• Perform sporting activities that aren't mainstream - reintroduce cross-country, benefits of walking, push ups, stretching.
• Learn about sporting injuries and introduction to healing - acupuncture, massage.
• Study different modern sporting rules and how sports work - TV deals, sponsorship, sporting contracts.

Additionally, every school should then be provided with a council-appointed qualified career advisors who visit every Year 11 student so they are all guided and supported with their choices. The word 'choice' is somewhat a taboo word as children are given certain subjects and topics within these and to succeed, you have to learn the limitations that aren't likely to be relevant to that individual in the future. These subjects above could be separated into modules like they do in University as the power will be in young people's hands. So much investment has been put in by this, and previous government on what happens after they're 16. Let's ensure young people have a clearer mind of what to do at a younger age.