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The Hidden-Curriculum – school discipline

 

Are schools too strict?

There are many things which pupils learn in school which are not part of the timetable of official lessons. The term “hidden curriculum” is used in Britain to refer to those things pupils learn from the way their school is organized. The schools organization includes rules, such as punctuality. Pupils are usually expected to arrive at lessons, assemblies and registration on time. Some pupils would say that school rules are too strict. In the famous boarding school Summerhill, pupils decide what lessons they do and when to do them. In more traditional schools the pupils may be punished for not having a clean school uniform, for failing to wear a school tie or for wearing earrings, for even bringing sweets and chewing gum to school or wearing mousse, gel or hairspray on the hair.

Teachers are responsible for discipline in British schools and they also follow special courses to help them work well with badly-behaved pupils. A pupil is sent to the Headteacher when he has committed a serious offence. The teachers take turns to supervise the corridors and schoolyards during lunch time. Obedience to authority and co-operation with other pupils are important values which teachers communicate to pupils as part of the “hidden curriculum”. Most pupils also have a form tutor; this may be the teacher who is the head of the year group. The form tutor is available to help pupils with their personal problems, give them advice on careers, exams or school reports, and is responsible for discipline when the pupil breaks a school rule. Most pupils talk to their form tutor in a PSE lessons.

 

PSE – Personal and Social Education.

Since the 1970s there has been an emphasis on education in areas related to life skills such as health. These include issues like drugs and alcohol abuse, subjects such as consumer education, sex and health education. Teachers discuss such issues as physical changes for the pupils who reached the age of puberty. Things related to relationships and smoking are also treated. There are usually one or two lessons a week, from primary school through to sixth form; they are an essential part of the school’s aim to prepare students for life in society.

Bullying

 

In recent years, teachers and parents have become more concerned about the problem of bullying. Bullying happens when one pupil (or a group) threatens and sometimes physically attacks a younger, weaker, quieter or more timid pupil. It’s a kind of fagging, in other words. This type of behavior is now considered a serious offence. The victim of bullying can suffer psychologically and the school can suffer too. Persistent bullying of other pupils can lead to the bully being excluded. Exclusion is the worst possible punishment in a British school!

School uniform

 

School uniform has become even more popular in recent years. Children at most secondary schools in Britain have to wear it. This usually means a white blouse for girls (perhaps with a tie), with a dark colored skirt and pullover. The colors may be grey, brown, navy blue, dark green or similar. Boys wear a shirt together with a school tie, dark trousers and a sweater in the school colors. Pupils of both sexes wear blazers - a kind of jacket – with the school badge on the pocket. They often have to wear some kind of hat on the way to and from school – caps for the boys, and berets for the girls (more common at private schools than at state ones). Shoes are usually black or brown and should be sensible – no high heels!



Young people in Britain often do not like their school uniform, especially the hats and shoes. Sometimes they do not wear the right clothes. Schools will often give them a warning the first time that this happens but will then punish them if they continue not to wear the correct uniform.

Sport at school

 

Sport has for a long time been a very important part of a child’s education in Britain, not just to develop physical abilities, but to provide a certain kind of moral education! Team games in particular encourage such social qualities as enthusiasm, co-operation, loyalty, unselfishness. Above all, absolute fairness (no cheating!) and being able to lose without anger (being a “good loser”) are considered important.

There are 6 popular games in British schools: rugby, netball, hockey, football, rounders, and cricket.

 

University life in Britain

 

Education is what remains when we

have forgotten all that we have been taught.

(George S. Halifax)


Date: 2015-12-11; view: 3260


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