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Education

New school subject for secondary school students

(25 Posts)
BrandyGran Tue 27-Oct-26 11:32:12

I think a new subject should be taught in secondary

BrandyGran Tue 27-Oct-26 11:33:38

New subject for all secondary school pupils- How to be a loving husband or wife. Lots of discussion!

JenniRen Tue 27-Oct-26 11:34:20

There are lots of new subjects being taught now.

What did you have in mind?

fairfraise Tue 27-Oct-26 11:35:45

Give all pupils a thorough knowledge of history.

JenniRen Tue 27-Oct-26 11:36:36

X post

Relationships and sex education, RSE, is taught in schools.
Not everyone wants to become a husband or wife.

Shelflife Tue 27-Oct-26 11:46:24

Well said JenniRen !

Pippa000 Tue 27-Oct-26 11:55:07

Financial management, would be useful I think

Cossy Tue 27-Oct-26 12:03:47

How to critically think, research and debate! But I’m pretty sure this incorporated in most schools, into other classes.

Btw my idea of a loving husband or wife might be entirely different to others??

butterandjam Tue 27-Oct-26 12:13:16

BrandyGran

New subject for all secondary school pupils- How to be a loving husband or wife. Lots of discussion!

not new.

My teen grandchildren in secondary school, already have lessons on relationships. Its a compulsory part of the curriculum called "Personal and Social Education".

Each pupil also has a Guidance teacher (same person throughout their time in school) who builds a relationship to support them individually. I've been hugely impressed by the individual work of Guidance teachers.

In addition, " Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies"
aims to "develop respect for others and an understanding of beliefs and practices which are different from their own;develop their beliefs, attitudes, values and practices through reflection, discovery and critical evaluation
make a positive difference to the world ."

They really enjoy these parts of the curriculum. We can see the benefit it has on GC and their friends' social interaction ; and how open they are with us, to discussing it.

Hats off to their school.

Sago Tue 27-Oct-26 12:19:35

Financial management,

Consent

Better sex education.

Magenta8 Tue 27-Oct-26 12:39:23

I am not sure how you could train school teachers in this subject nor how you would structure a curriculum.

It rather assumes, a one size fits all notion, that the only way to a happy and fulfilling life is via a heterosexual marriage. I believe the late Charlie Kirk had this rather blinkered idea.

My DCs used to have to attend PSE classes (Personal and Social Eduction). They hated it and called Particularly Sordid Experience. I am not convinced they gained much from it.

Luckygirl3 Tue 27-Oct-26 12:46:39

Music - I know people will say that this is not a new subject, but properly funding and valuing it would be new.

The evidence of how it enhances academic results, behaviour and self-confidence is utterly overwhelming but still it is allowed to dwindle. We want these things for our children, but only those with supportive and financially comfortable parents get these benefits; and even they do not get the proper opportunities in school to play and sing together.

Every child should have the chance to learn an instrument for free. The positive spin-offs for society and for the mental health of young people are enormous..... not because we want to produce world-class musicians but because it is their right to be a part of this and reap the lifelong benefits.

The current national curriculum for music is utterly pitiful, and until it becomes a priority on OfSted inspection it will fade away completely.

fancythat Tue 27-Oct-26 13:27:00

BrandyGran

New subject for all secondary school pupils- How to be a loving husband or wife. Lots of discussion!

If you had a teacher whose personal standards were very low on this, it would be a disaster.

fancythat Tue 27-Oct-26 13:28:09

Financial management

That one, definitely.

Though not all, would take the slightest bit of notice.

BrandyGran Tue 27-Oct-26 18:55:40

Brilliant Butterandjam just what I envisioned.
It doesn’t have to be confined to husbands and wives but to all relationships. How to treat others with the respect you would like to have yourself. To think before you speak and hurt someone. To realise early on that what you say cannot be unsaid or what you write on social media.
I have been out of education for a very long time but it seems to me that morals and values which should be taught at home no longer exist in many cases.

Chocolatelovinggran Tue 27-Oct-26 19:24:50

I share your views, Luckygirl, and would add art, too.
The National Curriculum has increasingly squeezed out subjects which have the ability to enrich our lives forever.

watermeadow Tue 27-Oct-26 19:34:27

I second those subjects which enrich our lives - arts and crafts, music including playing an instrument, dancing and singing, gardening.
I did all of these in primary school but older children would enjoy them too as relief from academic subjects.

JenniRen Tue 27-Oct-26 19:55:26

Luckygirl3

Music - I know people will say that this is not a new subject, but properly funding and valuing it would be new.

The evidence of how it enhances academic results, behaviour and self-confidence is utterly overwhelming but still it is allowed to dwindle. We want these things for our children, but only those with supportive and financially comfortable parents get these benefits; and even they do not get the proper opportunities in school to play and sing together.

Every child should have the chance to learn an instrument for free. The positive spin-offs for society and for the mental health of young people are enormous..... not because we want to produce world-class musicians but because it is their right to be a part of this and reap the lifelong benefits.

The current national curriculum for music is utterly pitiful, and until it becomes a priority on OfSted inspection it will fade away completely.

Music - I know people will say that this is not a new subject, but properly funding and valuing it would be new.
Yes!

The current national curriculum for music is utterly pitiful
It is, it has become worse and worse over the years. Not everyone can afford private music lessons for their children and they miss so much not having the opportunity to learn an instrument.

Luckygirl3 Tue 27-Oct-26 21:02:50

I am part of a campaign to bring music back into schools on a proper footing that gives opportunties to all children regardless of the family income. I have been in communication with Julian Lloyd-Webber on this and he is helping to spearhead this campaign. He can be found on facebook: www.facebook.com/share/v/1CQPf3qXix/ and www.facebook.com/share/r/19yW2mwPfn/
Thousands of people have been writing to Andy Burnham at this moment when he is taking a look at the curriculum. He has history on school music provision when he was culture secretary. So if anyone else would like to write to Andy B too that would be good and add to the voices from those who care about this.

Romola Wed 28-Oct-26 14:01:57

Politics, perhaps I corporated

Romola Wed 28-Oct-26 14:07:22

Sorry. Start again.
Politics, incorporated into history. In Scotland, 16-year-olds can vote. It will come in England too. But there is little understanding of the various systems or how politics affects lives, so the young don't vote.
I think it would increase participation among the young.

CarrotTop Wed 28-Oct-26 14:08:09

Effective Thinking. Should involve Philosophy, Reason, Logic, Ethics, History, Generosity of Spirit and Hard Reading (not necessarily in that order).

Nanny27 Wed 28-Oct-26 14:33:27

Totally agree about music including singing. Massive benefit in reading, group co-operation and stress relief not to mention enjoyment for many.

Olivebranch Wed 28-Oct-26 14:34:28

PSE is not taught well— teach it by providing ‘real life’ situations and asking for discussion and ideas.
The political system and personal finance could be incorporated and how to stop a scam.

Mamie Wed 28-Oct-26 14:41:55

Olivebranch

PSE is not taught well— teach it by providing ‘real life’ situations and asking for discussion and ideas.
The political system and personal finance could be incorporated and how to stop a scam.

Which bit of the current PSHE programmes of study cause you concern?
pshe-association.org.uk/guidance/ks1-5/programme-of-study