Year 8 is Boring?

Dear Sir,

In a recent article re the two year KS3 project (4th April 2003) David Milliband asserts that for many pupils year 8 is boring. May we suggest that the answer to your comment raised in your editorial, "What they should be thinking about is what sort schooling will really suit children at this difficult and exciting phase of life", is to be found in the 9-13 middle school. A school with a rationale based on the particular needs of this age group which was developed some forty years ago within the maintained sector and has existed and thrived within the private sector for considerably longer.

At the middle school year 8 pupils are working hard to develop their knowledge and skills, are highly motivated, are developing portfolios of quality work to take with them to their next schools and are making excellent academic progress within a positive learning environment.

Evidence from Ofsted inspections show 9-13 middle schools outperforming other forms of schooling for creating a positive working ethos and providing quality and range in curricular and other learning opportunities as well as maintaining and developing academic standards. Other research also suggests that attainment at the end of KS3 is at least as good in a three tier middle school system as a two tier primary/secondary system.

We welcome the two year KS3 project, which incidentally contains 9-13 middle schools. At last, we see innovation with a focus on the relationship between curriculum design, teaching and learning styles and children's cognitive and social development.

Year 8 is boring? Certainly not in a middle school, ask the staff, ask the parents, ask Ofsted, and most importantly of all go and visit one and ask the children.

lan Finder Executive Officer - National Middle Schools' Forum