MikeTC posted on 25 July 2010 12:03
“I’m an unashamed traditionalist when it comes to the curriculum,” Mr Gove said. “Most parents would rather their children had a traditional education, with children sitting in rows, learning the kings and queens of England, the great works of literature, proper mental arithmetic, algebra by the age of 11, modern foreign languages. That’s the best training of the mind and that’s how children will be able to compete.”
Quoted in the Guardian back in March. I've not heard if there's been an update in his thinking post-election. If future education policy rests on this as a cornerstone then we are doomed to be a nation of intellectuals who can recall Britain's major battles in detail, yet can't work in a team to create a multi-media experience of WW2.
Though I'd offer an alternative using the above as a template:
“I’m an unashamed realist when it comes to the curriculum,” Mr Fleetham said. “Most parents would rather their children had an education fit-for-purpose, with children sitting appropriately for the task, learning the essential knowledge, skills, attitudes and values for success and fulfilment in a vastly challenging and fast-changing world. That’s the best training of the whole child and that’s how children will be able to best contribute to the big society.”
Task for you: cut and past Mr Gove's words into a reply to this post and use it as a template (as I have) to express your own educational philosophy.
Mr Gove, if you're reading this, please let me know if I've represented your views fairly and broadly. If not I'd love to know where you plan on directing our education system over the next five years.