If You Ask Me: Education Needs a Rethink

Our education system should have a holistic approach to learning. Instead, it’s become a sausage machine, designed to churn out desirable ratings, but not everyone wants - or needs - to go to university

In the village where I grew up, Mr Jago, carpenter and general handyman, catered for his customers from cradle to grave. From a baby’s playpen, to a marriage chest of drawers, to a memorial bench or coffin, he was your one-stop-shop for those milestone momentsin life – and everything in between. 

My father steadfastly avoided anything of a home improvements nature, arguing that ‘DIY’ was an acronym for Don’t Involve Yourself, so Mr Jago would be sent for and his opinions keenly sought on the correct alignment of shelves, the merits of various types of plaster and the latest relegation scare at Plymouth Argyle. 

Forever busy, Mr Jago’s apparel was in a state of constant flux; fawn-coloured overalls when onsite, a tweed suit when attending appointments to price up a job and an extravagantly sombre Edwardian outfit, complete with wing-collared shirt and tailcoat when assisting at funerals. If you passed him in the street, one glance would tell you where he’d been - or where he was going.

Mr Jago wouldn’t have been considered a great scholastic achiever, but he was kind, possessed a quick, resourceful intelligence, ran his own business and was never short of work. He attended the village school, as did I.

The school was not overly-concerned about academic brilliance, but placed great worth on life skills. It was a gender-blind education; both boys and girls were taught how to wire a plug, how to light, (and put out!) a fire, how to darn socks and sew on buttons, how to make bread, boil an egg, tie knots and administer first aid. 

Gardening and country dancing were part of the curriculum, and, although maths and spelling tests were important, there was always time for a nature ramble. The headmaster’s ethos was “Learn while you’re having fun”. It should be OFSTED’s too.