It is a day that fills head teachers with hope and fear. The day when secondary school league tables are revealed.

Last Friday, the results came out. Private schools and girls-only schools dominated the rankings. But the best schools also want students who are "resilient, confident and happy, kind and respectful".¹

And now young people across England are being invited to share their views on education in an initiative called the Youth Shadow Panel, which is hoping to learn what students like and dislike about school. As well as filling in a survey, the panel wants pictures, videos, voice notes, drawings and pieces of creative writing, which can be shared on social media.

The review aims to make sure the national curriculum is "meeting the needs of children and young people".²

According to a recent survey, 54% of parents want schools to prioritise extra-curricular activities and life skills. By comparison, 37% of parents want a focus on academic achievement.³

Life skills include money, time and stress management. They also include mental and physical health, and the skills needed to succeed in employment, like team-working or being confident enough to express your point of view.

A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce argues that schools and colleges need to educate young people for a more technical, automated and low-carbon economy. According to their policy director Jane Gratton, students "are the future of our economy and preparing them for the world of work is crucial".⁴

The last government had a focus on core academic subjects. As a result, English schools were among the highest performing countries in maths in the Western World.⁵ If more time is spent on life skills, academic subjects might be neglected.

The world is changing quickly, and schools will have to adapt. But, to improve, the curriculum needs input from parents, employers, teachers and above all from you the students.

Should life skills be a bigger part of the curriculum?

Yes: To succeed in the future, students will need life skills like speaking in public or applying for a mortgage. Parents and teachers agree this should be a priority. Now the government must listen.

No: Nobody doubts that life skills are important, but sacrificing core academic subjects is surely a mistake. Besides, few teachers in state schools have the time or resources to teach these skills.

Or... Most people recognise that the curriculum must adapt to a fast-changing world. But working out the needs of future adults will require the input of everyone, including many students.