Studying Classics – Still Relevant to Secondary Curriculum?

With only small numbers of schools submitting students for exams in the classics each year, why are these subjects not given much importance by curriculum managers? Is taking Classical Greek, Latin, Classical Civilisation or Ancient History a waste of time for students? WeTeach has been doing research into the benefits of these subjects and why we shouldn’t forget the importance of  the languages, culture, history and thought of the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome. 

1. Understand today’s world more clearly – Classical subjects are relevant to everything from politics and business ethics to history, art and architecture, the ancient world shows its influences everywhere in the modern world.

2. Ability to assess the failings and successes of political systems.

3. Development of rare translation skills – understanding more than one language and culture not only benefits the individual but also looks great in a C.V or UCAS statement. It also helps students to really appreciate the classic literary pieces.

4. A great improvement in the understanding of the English language – 60% of English words and 90% of words consisting of more than two syllables are derived from Latin.

5. Romance languages become easier to learn – there are five Romance languages which are Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian and Portuguese. These languages derive more than 80% of the words which make up their vocabulary from Latin.

6. Students study the fascinating work of philosophers including Plato and Aristotle and the epic poetry of Homer and Virgil. 

7. The subjects offer a challenging enrichment course for Gifted and Able students

Are classics subjects relevant in today’s classroom? Have your say, tweet us @WeTeachOrg or comment below.

For information on how to deliver classics subjects to your school cost-effectively, visit www.weteach.org.uk

 

Gove Reveals Plans for Tougher Arts Subjects at GCSE and A Level.

Education Secretary, Mr Gove has announced that planned reforms for more “rigorous and demanding” arts subjects will be put in place over the next few years.

With reforms being announced across the curriculum, it is reassuring to know that Gove hasn’t forgotten the importance of arts subjects.

The new GCSE’s, effective as of September 2016, will include art and design, music, drama, dance, citizenship, computer science, design and technology, PE and religious studies.

“I am passionate about great art, drama, dance, music and design, and I am determined to ensure every child enjoys access to the best in our culture,” announced Mr Gove.

Science has also been at the forefront of conversation regarding the reforms as students will now be given a separate mark for practical work. The decision has been made as it is thought students are able to help each other via social media.

Have your say on the reforms and comment below or talk to us on Twitter: @WeTeachOrg

 

“Educate academic students, skill the rest”

 

In a recent article for the Guardian, Principal Ian Pryce has described the government’s current policy as “educate academic students, skill the rest”. He blames this on a need to train students on lower level courses for work that meets the needs of the economy.

Now this doesn’t sound too bad, increasing employability in the current job climate can surely only benefit students?

But, does this also mean students are not getting the full skill set required for their long-term future?

With masses of work experience under their belt and barely any time spent focusing on subjects such as Maths and English, are we enabling the future generation to succeed in modern life? Of course they will gain skills necessary to start them off in the world of work, but it is highly unlikely that they will stay in just one sector their whole working life.

Are vocational qualification narrowing students skill set and therefore becoming a hindrance to their future?

200 Vocational A Levels to be offered from September 2014

 

From September, 200 vocational A Levels will be offered to students targeted at boosting skills most desirable to employers.

The new qualifications will include areas such as agriculture, engineering and IT, and will be supported by the likes of Siemens, BAE and Canon.

The qualifications are being called upon to “bridge the gap between education and employment and to ensure young people are prepared to compete in the global jobs market”. Says Mr Hancock, Skills Minister.

Can we trust the value that these new qualifications will bring to today’s students?

Have your say and comment below.

weteach.org.uk

Eradicating Illiteracy and Innumeracy

Education Secretary Mr Gove has recently stated that we must be tackling illiteracy and innumeracy in the same way polio and tuberculosis was.

The aim is to ensure 85% of pupils at primary level are on target to get A*-C grades at GCSE.

The urgency comes after more than a third of pupils did not pass English and Maths GCSEs in June 2013. In addition, almost half of students didn’t continue to study these subjects at all.

How will schools achieve the 85%?

Gove says “every child is now checked to make sure they are decoding words fluently – helping teachers to make sure pupils are making progress in reading, and to identify any child who might need extra help. Failure to secure a good maths or English GCSE renders any student effectively unemployable.

Teachers will also be expected to assess pupils at the end of key stage 1 – when children are 6 or 7 – to ensure they are making appropriate progress in literacy and numeracy. A new test in spelling, punctuation and grammar will inform teachers’ assessment of writing and help keep children on course.”

Will it work? Share your opinions on Gove’s latest claims below.

To pinfinity and beyond

A recent article by Marcus Wohlsen (http://www.wired.com/business/2014/01/pinterest-more-popular-than-email/) points to Pinteret as being more popular than email as a means by which to share information. With its popularity looking set to increase it is interesting that its use as an educational tool seems, to date, to have been largely overlooked. As a teaching resource it enables teachers to store articles, video’s, infographics, and visual information under topic headings. As such it lends itself to a fantastic resource bank that students can access without having the possible barriers to learning such as logging on to a learning platform or having to download information. Topical newspaper articles can be pinned and it has practical application to promoting group work and making links with other teachers. The visual nature of Pinterest makes it particularly attractive and it makes for an engaging revision resource for students. Teachers and students can collectively pin relevant helpful educational content to help one another.

Here at WeTeach we have been looking closely at some of our subjects such as A Level Law and Psychology and pinning subject specific content. WeTeach would be keen to know if you have been inspired to use Pinterest as an educational tool, please let us know. If you are currently using Pinterest as an educational resource or have maybe been inspired to do having read this blog then please do let us know.

Related article;

http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/UsingPinterestforEducation.aspx