Type into your search bar “ School makes me feel… “ and you’ll see a whole range of negative words appear, from depressed to sad to dumb. This is where my question arose - is the UK educational system really doing its job? 

One search result indicated that our system was failing or at the least heavily flawed. Suicide rates have nearly doubled among students in England and Wales alone has risen by over 50 per cent in the past ten years. It is obvious that something must be done, something must change.

“ Why should our test scores show how much you are capable of and your ability to succeed in life. Why are they one of the most important things in your life until you graduate university? ” Kulthum Mohamed (14) questions, she believes that “ Instead of memorising facts, our education system should be based on stimulating the mind and exploring ideas, ” 

Suggestions to improve our education system is studying other countries e.g. Finland, who are progressing at a much faster rate. Finland is known for having one of the best education systems they: 

- Have shorter school days from 9:00 - 2:00 (Research shows that teenage minds aren't at full capacity till 10am)
- Invest in teachers with only the best being employed - Our teachers are underpaid and pressured with large classroom sizes 
- Consist of 3 teachers per classroom - In the U.K. generally we have 1 teacher per 30 students with each individual student having different strengths, abilities and needs.

The curriculum and topics taught need to re-evaluated, a parent of a Year 10 student agrees - “ My daughter is completely unprepared and clueless about ‘ real life’, ”

New topics that need to be integrated into our curriculum include what e.g. taxes, mortgages, insurance are, how to write a CV and find a job, the government and politics, world affairs, drugs & alcohol,mental health, self defence and first aid.