| Q1 |
Do you think that by taking examinations at such
an early age, you are putting children under pressure? |
| A1 |
No. Students are only entered for a GCSE or A Level examination,
if the child, their tutor and parents are agreed that that the child has
completed the syllabus satisfactorily and are confident that they can cope
with taking an examination. More pressure is placed on 16 year- olds, who
have to study for and take upwards of eight GCSEs at one time. By taking
a few exams at an earlier age, this should help to reduce the pressure. |
| Q2 |
With so many of your students taking exams early,
do you think that schools are letting the children down? |
| A2 |
No. Schools are doing the best that they are able to
do under the existing curriculum, which has clear guidelines set out as
to what each year should be able to achieve. Although the Government is
looking at opportunities of some gifted children to be able to take GCSEs
early, generally there is little flexibility to enable children to take
exams according to their ability rather than their age. We as a society
need to take responsibility and work towards an educational system where
children can progress regardless of age. |
| Q3 |
Would you say that the students at Ryde Teaching
Services are bright/gifted? |
| A3 |
No. Although we have the occasional exceptional students
as you would in most schools, the majority of our students come from a cross-section
of backgrounds, most attend state schools and we do not have an entrance
examination or selection process. They simply have the opportunity at Ryde
Teaching Services to study and take examinations at an earlier than usual,
which in most cases they cannot do at school and are therefore seen as gifted
or prodigies. |
| Q4 |
By studying at an early age, are children losing
their childhoods? |
| A4 |
No. It is important that the student enjoys learning
and has a balanced approach to education. Our students take part in all
the usual activities, playing with friends music, sport, as well as attending
Ryde Teaching Services. Many students attend Ryde Teaching Services for
only two or four hours per week (depending on the course). This is not a
great deal of time when compared with the amount of time many children spend
in front of a television. |
| Q5 |
Accelerated learning or starting formal education
at a young age (under 5) has been referred to as hot housing, with no real
benefits, than if a child were to begin learning at the usual age of 5.
What is your view? |
| A5 |
Research1 has shown that children who have an opportunity
to study with computers at a younger age benefit in many areas of their
education. We agree that children should not be pushed into studying against
their will; however the children that study at Ryde Teaching Services want
to. This creates a stimulating environment for all our students to study
and socialise in. |
| Q6 |
What do the schools think of their students taking
GCSEs early? |
| A6 |
Many schools are supportive of a child achieving academically
at a younger age. After all we are all used to children passing music exams
at an earlier age and achieving in physically challenging pursuits such
as Ballet, Football, Netball etc. |
| Q7 |
If a child as young as six can take a GCSE, do
you think that GCSEs are becoming too easy? |
| A7 |
No. The GCSE’s have not dropped in standard, if
anything the general consensus between teachers is that they have become
harder in some subjects. Each year more and more people climb Mount Everest,
but is it any lower? |
| Q8 |
Is it natural for a child to take exams early? |
| A8 |
Yes. Children are easier to motivate when younger as
they have less distractions. We have found that students who have taken
examinations at a younger age have improved in other academic subjects and
have also gained in self-confidence. We believe a student can learn to enjoy
their studies and maybe even school! |
| Q9 |
What is your view that too much time spent on
computers can be harmful to a young persons health? |
| A9 |
We would not advocate spending hours in front of a computer
or a television screen without breaks and for very young children, time
spent in front of a computer screen should be limited to short exposures. |
| Q10 |
What is the key to successful teaching? |
| A10 |
There are many criteria that make a successful teacher.
Here are some of them :
- The teacher must know their subject well at the level they are teaching.
They should also be able to get a message across to a diverse range
of students and have an amiable personality.
- Methods are important when teaching but so is knowing when and where
to use them.
- Small Classes. Teachers need to be in an environment where they can
concentrate on their job and not crowd control.
- Facilities. Teachers need the tools and incentives to do their job.
If the teacher is unmotivated then this can be reflected in their teaching
and ultimately with the students results.
|
| Q11 |
Do you think it is the parents who are pushing
the children too early? |
| A11 |
No. Most parents that bring their children to Ryde Teaching
Services explain that they do not want to pressurise their children and
that the examinations are unimportant to them. We explain that children
who enrol on our courses for GCSE’s and A Levels do so not only to
achieve a qualification, but it also gives the children a goal to aim for.
Too much time is wasted when children are at school especially in their
primary school and the initial three years at secondary school. Very little
is done for the first nine years (the most important years) then suddenly
there is two years of intense pressure studying up to 10 or more GCSE’s
(that equates to about two months per GCSE of intensive learning). |
| |
1 Source Newcastle University research
“Effective Pedagogy using Information and Communications Technology
for literacy and Numeracy in Primary Schools” - published September
1999 |
