It is a day that fills head teachers with hope and fear. A day when they want to jump from their chair with joy, or cower under their desk in embarrassment. Yes, it is the day when secondary school league tables are revealed.

Last Friday, the results came out. Private schools and girls-only schools dominated the rankings. However, many high-achieving state schools out-performed their independent rivals. And the best schools reported that, as well as exam success, they wanted to produce students who were "resilientTough or able to cope with difficulty. , 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, supported by a number of youth organisations, including the National Youth AgencyAn educational charity in England and Wales that works in partnership with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organsations to support and improve services for young people., Save the Children and the National Union of Students. The initiative, called the Youth Shadow Panel, sets out 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 aim of the review is to make sure that the national curriculum is "meeting the needs of children and young people."² In particular, to make sure that schools are preparing students for the future, whether looking after their mental health, or finding work in the world of new technologies and AI.

According to a recent survey, 54% of parents want their child to attend a school that prioritises extra-curricularAn activity outside of normal lessons or school time. activities and life skills. By comparison, 37% of parents want schools to focus on academic achievement and exams.³

Life skills include things like money, time and stress management. They also include mental and physical health - from issues such as healthy eating to how to develop a growth mindsetThe belief that abilities, talents and intelligence can be developed through effort, dedication, and a willingness to learn.. And to this, add the skills needed to succeed in employment, such as team-working and confident self-expression.

The workplace of the future may well look very different to today's. A report from the British Chambers of CommerceA national network of local associations set up to promote and protect the interests of the business community in a particular place. 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

But what about traditional subjects like history, maths and science? The last government had a focus on teaching children 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, there is a risk that academic subjects will be neglected.

Resources are also a challenge. The majority of teachers agree that learning life skills is important. But, around half of state school teachers report that they do not have enough time or training to prioritise these skills in the classroom.⁶

Everyone seems to agree that the education system cannot stay the same. 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.

Resilient - Tough or able to cope with difficulty.

National Youth Agency - An educational charity in England and Wales that works in partnership with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organsations to support and improve services for young people.

Extra-curricular - An activity outside of normal lessons or school time.

Growth Mindset - The belief that abilities, talents and intelligence can be developed through effort, dedication, and a willingness to learn.

Chambers of Commerce - A national network of local associations set up to promote and protect the interests of the business community in a particular place.