What's the Point?

Doing something different and unusual inevitably involves a lot of soul searching. Once you've located all the necessary souls it's time to get on with working out why you're about to leap into the unknown.

It could be a practical decision - can we afford this, can we juggle work, are we capable of teaching, do we have the resources ... but once you've ticked off all the practicalities you're left with the elephant in the room. His name is Dave and he's awfully nice but takes up a lot of space and eats all your peanuts.

No, the elephant in the room is a big question - I mean a proper biggie.....

WHAT IS THE POINT OF SCHOOL?

See it is big.

I googled, because it's not the 1980s. You get a tidal wave of responses that will pretty much drown any thoughts you had up until that point.

Here's an incomplete summary of thoughts on the matter:

• Pass exams for future earning success
• Free childcare
• Open hearts and unlock minds (ARGH)
• Prepare for adulthood
• Be responsible citizens
• Learn the 3 Rs 

I like Martin Luther King's pithy summary. The purpose of education is 'intelligence plus character'.

In 2013, a report by LSE asked 'What Predicts a Successful Life' and they found the most powerful predictor of adult life-satisfaction is the child's emotional health. Next is the child's conduct. The least powerful predictor is the child's intellectual development.

Interesting stuff.