First Draft of Comment Article (500)

It’s time to let the cat out the (school isn’t everyone’s) bag

There is a fine line between disliking school and genuinely struggling with the system, one which is too often blurred

Josie Cubie

The Observer, Monday 21 October 2013 13:00 BST

Struggling students are often seen as 'stupid' or 'naughty'
Photograph: http://www.soulbuilders.net/soulblog/

 

It’s no secret that school's not exactly everybody’s idea of Heaven On Earth, so it isn’t a surprise when we hear children grouching through their school years, proclaiming to all who will listen ‘I HATE SCHOOL’. And who doesn’t remember grudgingly slamming a hand down on the snooze button of their alarm clock, too groggy and sleepy-eyed to have strength enough to lift themselves out of bed? Who can’t recall the winter mornings when stepping out from the shower felt as ludicrous an idea as jumping naked into an ice lake? Who didn’t feign illness on the first Monday back, when PE was on the cards and an English essay was due three days before?

I remember a time in my own school career when I wholeheartedly believed that the educational institute which I attended couldn’t possibly have been any worse. As most young people tend to do, I exaggerated my situation, made it seem far shoddier than it was. But the facts were these: I had friends (some good friends, even), I did well enough in the subjects I most enjoyed and I was not picked on.

Although I may not have been up before the cockerel, ready and rearing to go, I can’t deny that school was a good place for me to be.

For my brother I know that this wasn't the case. He battled with school throughout his time there, and though we attended the same institute our experiences were vastly different. Whether this was because of gender differences, his struggles with dyslexia and dyspraxia, or simply because he wasn't wired for school, I don't know. But I do know that everyday that he was forced to attend, made him hate the whole ruddy system that little bit more.

My eldest brother eventually found himself in PRU, the Pupil Referral Unit, which (while it was a better environment for him than school) was still a way away from what he needed. The places he was enduring – even PRU – were too objective in their approach, when what he really required was a system that catered to his individual needs.

It would be unfair to say that PRU did not help my brother, but I was shocked at the stigma that was attached to his attendance there. It was seen as somewhere for 'idiots' or 'pests' that had been thrown out of school for their lack of effort, or worse, worth. Even my own friends seemed to think it was a bum-hangout.

And since I am able to use this platform for good (even if nobody reads it), I'd like us all to take a moment to realise that this connotation is as twisted as tree roots.