What Parents of Caribbean Heritage Really Need to Understand About the British Education System
The Caribbean STEM Coaching Club runs regular “Parents Helping Parents” problem solving and knowledge sharing ZOOM discussions on a wide range of topics. On September 21, 2024, parents shared their “Top Ten” perspectives on “What Parents Really Need to Understand About the British Education System”
- Choose where you live carefully as the quality of schools can vary considerably from area to area. Check the school’s website, performance on league tables, and latest OFSTED reports. But remember, some schools have learned how to “game” the system. An “Outstanding” grade does not necessarily mean that the school will work for your child. So visit the school, attend open days, and most importantly, speak to parents who understand the school’s values and culture. Find out whether Caribbean children typically thrive there.
- If the local authority wants to put your child in a school with many vacancies, beware. It may not be the best.
- Find out about the proportion of newly qualified teachers in the school. Too many newly qualified teachers may suggest that the understanding and experience are not there to support the often more complex needs of Black children.
- Teachers are often overworked and overwhelmed. Behaviour management is a common challenge and many schools experience a high turnover of teachers.
- There are too few Maths and science specialist teachers in the system and insufficient time is spent on fundamentals and reinforcing concepts. Be prepared to actively support your child’s learning, especially the fundamentals of Maths, English, and science. Encourage your child to do a little Maths every day (even in the holidays) and to read a lot for pleasure.
- Get involved in school life as much as you are able. Become a school Governor, get involved in the PTA, or volunteer in other activities. Turn up at Parents’ Evenings. Develop amicable relationships with the staff and other parents and get to know how the system works. Find out which set your child is in for various subjects. If your child is in a lower set, understand what your child would need to do to get into a higher set. If your child has special needs, look for support. This is often available through charities or the local authority.
- Additional Maths at GCSE helps prepare children for both Maths and Further Maths at A levels. But not all schools offer Additional Maths as a GCSE subject. So be prepared to help your child study this subject privately.
- Find out if your child is on track to sit Maths and Science Foundation tier or Higher tier. Remember if they sit Foundation tier, the highest grade they can achieve at GCSE is a level 5 and this could limit their ability to study these subjects for A levels.
- In some schools, studying double science closes the door to A level science subjects. So consider whether your child needs to do triple science to keep their options open. Schools may automatically assign your child to double science unless you specifically request triple science.
- The education system is not designed to give your child the life skills they would need as an adult, nor is it designed to identify and augment their strengths. Parents need to take responsibility for their child’s holistic education and development, and not leave it to the system.
End. Penny Carballo-Smith, 26 September 2024