German Education is based on a system which respects
the differing levels of ability in pupils. Naturally, this must mean that the
gymnasium - a sort of grammar school - deals largely with academic
education.
What this country needs is the three tier system
promised by Butler back in 1944 but was rarely seen. The system became two tier,
instead, with grammars and secondary moderns.
We need schools for high fliers and technical schools
for the majority of students but a third level, designed to maximise the needs
of the less able, is essential. This third tier must NOT be allowed to become
the 'dumping ground' that was often the case with some secondary moderns. This
tier should be heavily vocational so as to maximise potential but linked to
basic academic content. A single area to target (out of many) would be to learn
UK Geography. Location of towns, cities, rivers and
motorways would be a start.
