As a father of two children – one in high school and one in junior school – I often get frustrated with some of the subjects that they are being taught in school. When I ask my kids how their school day went, I often get the reply of ‘borrrrrrring!’ and ‘I don’t see why we have to learn about…’ now you can insert the standard things we all probably said as a student here – for example; Shakespeare, algebra, drama, religion, and dance. Yes, we have all been there, but on reflection these WERE things I said as a child, and I am over 30 years out of high school. So what has changed? Well, the world certainly has, our approach to life certainly has, and the world of work and the roles within it are completely different. So why has The National Curriculum for England, which the Education Reform Act first introduced in 1988 not re-focussed its priorities in line with societal needs?

Five ways to drive engagement in independent schools.