When Children Don’t Choose, Everyone Loses

Imagine if, when you signed up to university, you didn’t get to choose your subject – someone else chose it for you….

This is pretty wild: and yet we accept it as ‘normal’ for children under 16yrs old. 

Studies repeatedly show that when children are driven by their intrinsic motivation to learn, not only are academic results better, but we see improvements in non-academic skills like confidence, independence and social competence. 

Despite this, so much of what state schools in the UK focus on, is the teaching of information, facts and skills, which the learners have little role in selecting. 

The impacts? 

Lower test results

Lower self-esteem

School avoidance

Anxiety

Information isn’t retained It’s not good enough. And we all need to take serious steps to change this. Our children deserve much better.