December
What do you think young children should be taught in schools?
Moira Milne, Head Teacher - Alford Academy
I would like to see an increase in courses which: develop personal health and well being, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovative approaches/creativity and risk taking; focus on vocational skills and local employment needs, for example Alford Academy’s existing Rural Skills course which includes the traditional craft of stone masonry.
China is becoming a world economic power. There is a place in our curriculum for the study of Chinese mandarin, the most commonly spoken language in the world. Young people should also learn about the Scots language and the Doric. This, along with studies of local and national history brought to life through for example archaeology short courses , will promote and celebrate Scotland’s culture and heritage, instilling a pride in our nation as well as making sure our young people are skilled global citizens.
 Mhairi Preston, Director of LA Recruitment
Too often social media is seen in a negative light, yet there are countless opportunities where schools could use it to aid childrens’ learning and personal development.
From a recruitment point of view, writing is an essential skill required in the workplace. Too often we have good candidates who fall down at their writing ability. Perhaps, social media could help.
If children were tasked with creating a blog on specific topics it could engage them in a way that no textbook or ordinary homework can. For starters their blog could be read by fellow classmates and teachers giving them a sense of accountability and reason to succeed.
Moreover, by opening childrens’ world of learning in the social media sphere, kids who once were disinterested in current affairs, could become engaged with it all and actively get involved in extra-curricular learning.
 Peter Phantom, Head of Careers Service - Aberdeen University
We all enjoy watching episodes of The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den. It’s entertainment but it also really puts business and entrepreneurship in the mainstream spotlight. At the University of Aberdeen there is a thriving Student Enterprise Society. One of its major initiatives has been to get successful entrepreneurs to enthuse and motivate students. This complements the academic courses within the curriculum on enterprise and entrepreneurship.
I think schools could do likewise although I am aware there are already a number of successful projects related to Enterprise in Education. If pupils were guaranteed an enterprise experience each year between P1 and S6 we might be able to more successfully foster an enterprise and entrepreneurship culture among our school leavers. Recent research suggests entrepreneurs can be made not just born - it’s all down to how they communicate.
 Claus Nelson, Food Implementation Manager - Aramark UK
As a chef, I would like to see hospitality lessons introduced at school. Cooking is a hands-on skill that’s beneficial to everyone, regardless of whether or not it becomes a career. Most students are obliged to study home economics early on, but I’d like to introduce hospitality in a broader sense. I think that adding a regional focus and teaching students about their food heritage would encourage this. Last month I put this theory into practice at Northfield Academy in Aberdeen, helping students to cater for their friends and teachers in preparation for the school’s entry into the British Food Fortnight Secondary School Challenge. The students prepared their own traditional Scottish family recipes and I was so impressed with their kitchen skills. It was wonderful to see how enthusiastic they were and I would urge schools to roll it out on a bigger scale.
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