Little Bears Family Homeschool

What about the National Curriculum?

Contents

* Introduction * Some Objections * Comments *

Introduction

What are children actually learning in school?

The new National Curriculum for 2000 may be found at http://www.nc.uk.net/ with a download page at http://www.nc.uk.net/nc_download.html

As a Christian parent, I hope in some way to pass on to my children "the broad scheme of values I myself cherish": I personally believe that there truly is a "body of knowledge" which it would benefit children to learn and which they are unlikely to merely discover themselves without any adult intervention - some of which is contained within the National Curriculum, whereas what I consider to be the most important message - the Christian Gospel - is sadly missing.

Although it is by no means my intention to unnecessarily cause contention, I do have serious doubts about the concept and content of the National Curriculum.

Back to Contents

Some Objections

I set out below some of the main objections to the National Curriculum, both in its present form, and as a concept:-

• Non-individual Education Programmes
  The National Curriculum does not take into account individual children's aptitudes, interests or abilities (or, for that matter, their God-given talents and gifts); neither can it hope to do so in the context of the large-classes in State schools, for which the curriculum is primarily aimed. For that reason alone, it may be unsuitable for home education. Home educators, on the other hand, are able to devise individual programmes tailored to suit each child.
• Mass Education Targets
  It is unrealisitic to expect every child in a class, let alone in the whole country, to attain the same academic level at the same age, given that every child - even within a family - is different and learns at a different rate and in different ways. Setting mass attainment targets is unrealistic and unprofitable, since knowledge forced into children's minds at a Government (or adult) -determined rate will be much less well received than knowledge made available for the children to discover at their own pace. [We are in danger of this situation the moment the curriculum is made compulsory and it ceases to be fun.]
• Narrow Scope
  In its present form, the National Curriculum over-emphasizes Maths and English at too early an age, when it would perhaps be more profitable to concentrate on personal and social skills. Also, in its present form, the National Curriculum does not promote an holistic or even a well rounded education and, in this connection, is particularly lacking in the area of History (in my view!).
• Missing the vital message
  Although it is still a legal requirement for schools to teach Religious Education, this is totally lacking in the National Curriculum, and is rather deferred to Local Education Authorities to agree a local syllabus for Religious Education. One of my reasons for wanting to homeschool is that I believe that parents have a position of authority as well as a responsibility under God to teach their children, if not taking over the child's education entirely, at least passing on to them the truth of the gospel (which they are then free to accept or reject).
• Teaching to Test
  One of the most serious dangers with having to pipe masses of information into children to deadline is that what they actually learn is less likely to be what we consciously teach them, but what they sub-consciously absorb through example. (This is what "discipleship" is all about and is as relevant for homeschools as schools)

A further interesting observation is that the National Curriculum represents a body of knowledge drawn up by the Government, without consultation with the children it affects despite the fact that the right of people to have a say in things which affect them is absolutely fundamental to democracy* See below for my comments on this point.

Back to Contents

Comments

In Roland Meighan's Book, "The Freethinkers' Pocket Directory to the Educational Universe", he identifies the National Curriculum approach as an "Imposed Subjects Curriculum" which "relies heavily on the idea that one or more adults in power know what it is best for children to know, think and do... " He goes on to say that that "The UK National Curriculum selects subjects to produce people who 'know their place' in a capitalist social class order."

I'm tempted to say "need I say more" (it seems glaringly obvious to me, but perhaps I ought to make my position clear): Mr. Meighan presumably favours a "communist" social class order over "capitalist", and I have to agree to a certain extent that, if the National Curriculum is based purely on "capitalist" values, it is absolutely nothing to be commended.

But perhaps Mr. Meighan is confusing "capitalist social class order" with the institutions of delegated authority over us (parents, Governments, etc.) placed in position by God, to which - provided those in such positions are acting as they should (which admittedly is often not the case) - we are subject.

Mr. Meighan obviously sees adults imposing subjects on children as being unreasonable; however, in a Christian homeschool, the adults "in power" are in a position of authority under God, Who requires parents to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: leading their children into a knowledge of the Truth, leading (only under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to right-thinking and action.

My own personal view is that it is not unreasonable to "impose" a curriculum since a child will not necessarily be in a position to realise what he or she will need to learn, and thus it is appropriate for an adult to decide which subjects and even the body of knowledge represented by those subjects a child should learn; I do feel on the other hand that in order that learning may be achieved, a delicate balance must be maintained, and there is room for negotiation between adult and child as to how and when the child is to learn.

What we are hoping to do is to use the National Curriculum as a guide, a resource or platform for us to develop ideas for teaching, a 'curriculum of ideas ', and we also hope to cover some things not covered by the National Curriculum. (For details, look at our own curriculum) We probably won't be using the tests that go along with the National Curriculum, since we don't intend to use it as a list of tasks to attain by any certain age, but rather hope to proceed at a pace which our children find comfortably challenging.

The main emphasis of Mr. Meighan's book (and philosophy) would appear to be "power" and who holds it within the context of education. What the author refers to as "The democratic curriculum" - "When a group of learners design, implement and review their own curriculum, starting out with a blank piece of paper, power sharing has reached the point of democratic practice. The learners take on the roles of researchers and explorers; the teachers are facilitators and fixers..." - is presumably the approach he advocates.

I remember from our time in Sweden how the concept of children's rights within a democracy was very much a topic of discussion, and it was suggested that democracy at the "grass roots" level of education was of paramount importance. However; at the risk of being labelled a fascist, I must point out that, however fine and noble the principles of democracy may be, we must be very careful not to allow the God-given authority of parents, nor the Divine order of the family to be further undermined.

It is perhaps worth remembering that democracy, however good and fair a method of Government, is a humanist invention rather than one ordained by God. It is in fact a poor substitute for Theocracy!

I am aware that "power corrupts" even "Christian" leaders, and so without democracy, tyranny will most likely result. But what of power in the hands of "the people" (or children)? Does that also result in corruption? Perhaps it can be argued that it does not, since the power is diluted by being shared by a great number of people; however:

Unless those in power, be they parents or "the people", turn to Christ, the result is without doubt corruption: a society in which God's Laws are increasingly overturned, and chaos will ensue. We are living in treacherous times! Theocracy must start at home: make sure that Jesus is the head of your household and your homeschool!

Back to Contents

Back to Top

Welcome to the Homeschool Tour

<<Back to Co-op == On to the Pre-school Curriculum>>

HOME

SITEMAP

Index

Do you know Jesus as Saviour and Lord?
* Read my Testimony * Take a look at the Gospel! *

Comments and Suggestions Welcome

© Sharon Mortemore
Update: 04 January, 2000