Rant of the day: Elliott had to complete a PE project over summer during end of term. This was on one of his chosen subjects within PE. Granted, there now seems to be some confusion into what subjects hes chosen, but on handing in a very comprehensive project on weightlifting, hes now been told to stay behind after school as he will have discuss re-doing his project because it isnt on his chosen subject. However, when speaking to the PE teacher it soon becomes apparent that if weightlifting (which is one of the subjects that can be chosen along with many others that dont take place in school) is chosen and therefore the project is fine, he wont receive as higher marks as if he had chosen rounders. Yes, you heard me..... Rounders. A PE class (Ill not call it a sport) that children under 11 play. Why is this the case? Because its easier to achieve the best marks possible. Or to label it another way..... The easy option. Going back to before they broke from school, the school had an open evening taken by the head of year to discuss the options the children will take going forward. During his talk, whilst not mentioning specific subjects, he stated dont choose the easy subject, for an easy ride and higher marks. This is because at an interview, if say for a sports placement, they asked what subject you studied to gain your grade in PE, mentioning rounders doesnt quite cut the mustard. Agree? I certainly do. Yet here they are stating that rounders is one of the highest marking subjects that students are guided towards. Reasons: Heres my take. It gets good grades for a reason. Its easy. Most pre-school can do it. If it grades high, more students pass with higher grades and therefore the school moves up the tables. What do the students get out of it? A higher grade in PE. What do they really get out of it..... Nothing. Bugger all. Nothing of real value is learnt. Period. On asking if other out of school subjects also get penalised the answer was yes, compared to rounders, no other subject is marked as easily / highly. Karate for example can be chosen, but to get grades, the teacher would have to visit the student taking part in a class to mark them, as well discuss the student with the coach to be able to mark them. This still wont receive as higher grades as rounders! Fitness is part of Elliotts chosen subjects, so I said, Great, well alter the project a little and use Fitness as the subject but use weightlifting which sits under the strength umbrella in fitness. Answer: It still wouldnt receive as higher marks as rounders as its harder to mark. Fitness is such a broad subject I think what they really mean is that rounders will come out top because the teachers can mark a whole group of students quickly and easily, no fuss, no real thinking. Ironically the school calls itself a sports college! Thoughts?
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:27:47 +0000