LEARNING FOR LIFE
FORmany of us, September is synonymous with the start of a new academic year. Little ones start nursery, older ones move from primary to secondary – and the teenagers fly the nest for university or further education.
Although we tend to link the concept of education with schooling, in reality it’s something that begins at birth and continues until the day we die: we never really stop learning.
The trick is how to maximise the resources that are available to us! It’s well documented that learning becomes more difficult as we grow older. With pre-school children soaking up knowledge like tiny sponges, the choice of a nursery or play group should be just as important as their eventual choice of university.
It’s also a good time to start thinking about teaching your toddler a second language – picking up vocabulary is so much simpler for children under the age of seven.
When you tot up the costs of extra- curricular classes, however, - whether in French, music, ballet or football - you may want to consider investing in private education. With bursaries and scholarships available at most schools, it needn’t be as costly as you think. A well-run nursery, whether in the state or private sector, should combine the
various aspects of learning – cognitive skills, thinking and reasoning, motor skills, good habits and social skills – with structured play.
A motivational curriculum structured around play will teach a whole host of skills to your pre-schooler, without them even realising.
The first day at ‘real’ school is always emotional for mums and dads but here in Maidstone we are fortunate to have a wide choice of good schools, both in the state and private sector.
Most people will opt to send their children to the primary school closest to their home – but, increasingly, popularity and over-subscription mean some children are having to go elsewhere.
Small, rural schools might be favoured by parents wanting a ‘home from home’ environment, but the bigger schools tend to have better facilities – particularly for sport. Free schools and academies likewise have more freedom in how they use their budgets and, at senior school level, can be a good choice for those wishing to pursue a vocational career. Kent is one of the few places in the UK still to have grammar schools – although many parents choose for their children not to sit the Kent Test and go to the school of their choice, which may offer a curriculum more tailored to their abilities and future career path.
Faith schools also play an important role and will be the preferred route for many families.
Although a string of good grades at GCSE and A level is still considered the prime route into University, well-rounded students with a broad-based knowledge tend to be highly sought – hence the introduction of the IB (International Baccalaureate) which is now available in several Maidstone sixth forms. Any career path rarely runs smoothly,
however, and all is not lost if those keenly- sought exams fail to make the grade. Adult education classes offer a wealth of options for academic and vocational study – and there’s always the Open University for those who want to combine a career with further education.
Increasing numbers of retired and semi- retired people are signing up for the OU as well as the University of the Third Age (U3A) proving you’re never too old – or too young – to learn!
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
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