Newsflash: Harry Potter World is not just a Universal Studios attraction. I am living it, and it became all too real when I entered a British classroom.
As part of our corporate goals we have to participate in a number of volunteer activities over the course of the year. Getting a head start on my goals, I decided to volunteer at the City of London Academy (or COLA as they referred to it). Getting off the tube I followed the accented little boys and girls wearing their cute school uniforms, bringing me back to my kindergarten days at St. Peter’s by the Sea. Turns out there are actually a few schools in that area, so after following those in blue I discovered I should have followed the purple crowd.
You walk in though and this school takes your breath away, and not in the “scents” that you are blasted by the odor of the cafeteria either. The building, while not quite Hogwarts-esque was definitely a case study in architectural design that we would never see stateside, or at least not in the New York public schools I know and love. Just look at these common spaces they have littered all over the building!
And then they have special vocational rooms for all types of interests. I saw the Technology Wing 5000, complete with state-of-the-art sanders and laser designers, and hologram makers. And the Future of Computer Rooms worldwide, with robotics and computers side by side. It was truly amazing. But once we entered that “classroom” my friends, that was where the spine-tingle ceased….
The program we were leading is a sister organization to the Junior Achievement Enterprise I participated in back in Boston, but it might as well have been its second cousin twice removed! Placed in a room of 90, 13-14 year olds with 5 volunteers we had our work cut out for us. Now, it could be partly due in part to the selection of venue, we definitely should have split up these 90 unruly whippersnappers, but the behavior on these teens was appalling. From the language they used, to the horrible lack of respect for their elders they exhibited, I had to snap into mean-teacher mode, warning them that antics like this would not be tolerated in the states. Side note, at the end of the day I must admit there was a line of students waiting to receive their detention slips from the headmaster who had unbeknownst to me been passing them out like candy throughout the day!
When we finally did get them to settle down long enough the conversation was actually pretty intriguing for me, and I think I learned more than they did! As “Miss” and “Sir” for the day (their way of referring to their teachers, yea no surnames which I thought was weird!), we discussed with them career paths, laid out some educational goals, and taught lessons on budgeting – even doing a sample budget plan for them, first with their dream budget and then using the national UK average household salary (£26,800 by the way!) which gave them a huge reality check. Granted most of these kids wrote down they wanted £20,000 phone budgets which had to be scaled back – I mean, what is a £20,000 phone budget anyway? Diamond encased?
And what I learned in return, the British school system is whacked!!! Here’s my brief analysis for those who are interested:
Compulsory:1. Primary Education = 6-11 years old (equivalent of elementary school I suppose)
2. Secondary Education = 11-14 years (broad range of subjects, your typical middle school course track)
3. GCSEs = 14-16 years (set of exams that test your knowledge and skill, forcing them to specialize in a few areas that they think they might pursue!)
Most schools follow the same method when it comes to GCSE's and you will take the following core subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Sciences (either combined or separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
+ an additional 4 or 5 GCSEs which can be subjects like French, German, Business Studies, Design and Technology, Music, Sports Science, Geography, History and many other options but all leading toward what they plan to specialize in their career! But I guess this is more similar to taking AP Classes in High School…
Optional thereafter:
6th Form – option to go to prep school for one year before A-levels
A-Levels - Basically like specializing in a few subjects. Think SAT II’s but worse, these are what you use to get into University. So basically you have to decide at this point what you want to do with your life. Heck, we didn’t even have to declare a major in college until sophomore year, and even then we graduated with whatever degree and went on to do things way outside our realm of course study! Man do I miss the liberal arts system.
OR
Vocational track - which puts you directly into an apprenticeship. (I think there’s someone in my office on this track because at one of the many work events where they provide alcohol the kid was asked if he was even old enough to drink – putting him right in line with this vocational age track.)
And then lastly comes the option of University (which means college in the US), of which they have over 100. Overall though, I can’t decide if I like the system better, giving each individual more options to decide what’s best for him or her, rather than being shepherded through grade levels and, for the most part, straight to college after high school graduation. It is a little liberating. But at the same time, maybe that freedom accounts for the terrible behavior they exhibited throughout the course of my “volunteer” day. Certainly made me miss my cubicle. (I never thought I’d say that!)
To all my teachers, I give you so much credit for putting up with us. It is not an easy job, especially at the age. I think we can officially cross teaching off my list for any future career changes. And volunteer teacher from my list of activities to fulfill my business goals.
English word of the day: Toilet. Yes, this is the same in American English, but the connotation and usage are way off. With the amount of times I heard “Miss, can I go to the toilet?” (in this case every other minute!), I decided that phrase was just not right. I’m not always the most sanitarily aware but that saying still gives me the creeps. I know that’s what we’re implying when we ask to use the restroom, ladies room, bathroom, etc. But toilet? Come on England, keep it clean.
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