I rarely use cash, especially since the pandemic encouraged us all to shift even small amounts of spending to contactless cards or mobile phones. In fact, most of my encounters with cash nowadays are when my kids get their weekly pocket money. I’m all for kids embracing and becoming familiar with digital technologies, and that should definitely include managing and using money. Nevertheless, I worry that an understanding of money itself, and, more importantly, the value of money, is harder to teach these days without something tangible, like cash, to tie it back to. 

In the UK, financial literacy education forms part of the National Curriculum, but is mostly only taught in secondary schools (key stages 3 and 4) and, in any case, its implementation is both patchy and does not go far enough. Recent research has found that 61% of young adults did not recall receiving any financial education at school and that around 30 hours of financial education for 11- to 18-year-olds would be the minimum amount needed to achieve financial literacy¹

I firmly believe we need to start much earlier than that. Sure, you need good numeracy skills, but those are just tools, building blocks for a good financial foundation. The earlier you start, the more concepts you can cover. By understanding financial basics early on, children are better equipped to tackle complex financial decisions later in life, from student loans to mortgages. And this all feeds into another one of my “soapbox” topics: entrepreneurship. We should be exposing kids to the concept of enterprise and business early on, and financial literacy is a key component of that. 

Taking Action: Empowering Your Kids 

The good news is, you, as a parent, can play a crucial role in building your child’s financial literacy. Here are some practical steps to get you started, turning everyday moments into money lessons. 

• Involve your child in creating shopping lists and discussing the cost of items. Let them help with budgeting by allocating amounts for different categories, like groceries or treats. 
• Provide opportunities for them to earn pocket money through chores or simple tasks. Guide them on how to divide their earnings, encouraging them to save for a dream toy while putting some aside for future purchases. 
• Board games can be powerful learning tools. Try age-appropriate games like Monopoly Junior or Pay Day that introduce basic financial concepts like buying, selling, and budgeting in a fun way. 

Use your household as an example 

Once you’ve covered the basics, you should introduce financial concepts into everyday conversation by talking about your household finances (in an age-appropriate way). You can discuss household expenses like rent, bills, and groceries to help them understand how money flows in and out of a family. And be open about the concept of work and income. Discuss how earning money allows us to afford things we want and need. This is a step up from pocket money: we want our kids to know that money is an exchange of value, not something that appears “out of nowhere”. 

More resources 

• MoneySavingExpert has a wealth of additional free resources provided by financial institutions and charities, as well as a free-to-download financial education textbook by Martin Lewis himself.  
• MoneyHelper, by the Government’s Money & Pensions Service, has a whole raft of guides for how to talk to kids about money at different ages 
• Books aimed at children, like “The Great Pet Sale” (ages 3-5), “Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Money” (ages 6-8) and “The Young Investor: Projects and Activities for Making Your Money Grow” (ages 9-12) cover all sort of financial topics in an age-appropriate way. 

Let us know of any resources or approaches you have found useful in the comments. 

1.  Financial education in schools | House of Lords Library, January 2024 ︎

The post Make your kids ‘Money Smart’ first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

Education is Hard. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Educators today have an almost impossible task: they need to prepare their students (and themselves) for rapid technological and societal change while budgets are being squeezed from multiple directions. As many as 65% of children entering primary school now will eventually work in jobs that do not exist today¹ where they will require skills and competencies that are poorly served by an education system built around knowledge regurgitation and ‘teaching-to-the-test’. 

I have previously talked about how we ought to rethink education with an eye on the future, boosting competencies such as creativity and critical thinking, and harnessing the power of technology. I’ve looked at what other countries do, to see what lessons we can learn from them.

Which countries are leading the way?

Several countries are implementing noteworthy initiatives to prepare the latest generation for the future. Here are a few examples: 

• Finland²: Renowned for its consistently high academic performance, Finland prioritises skills, knowledge, creativity and equality of opportunity. The Finnish model has minimal standardised testing, and educators have significant autonomy in designing lessons that adapt to student needs. There is also a great deal of focus on student well-being, mental health, and happiness alongside academic achievement. 
• Singapore³ Known for its emphasis on STEM education and strong academic performance, Singapore has invested significantly to integrate the latest technology into classrooms. Their curriculum emphasises developing well-rounded individuals with strong critical thinking, character development, and a robust work ethic. Secondary school students follow multiple pathways catering to their strengths and learning styles. 
• Estonia⁴: Estonia stands out for its tech-driven, student-centred approach. They prioritise digital literacy and personalised learning, with strong teacher training and continuous improvement based on data analysis. This equips students with the skills and adaptability to thrive in the digital age. The Estonian education system has successfully implemented measures that prevent social stratification by ensuring all students have equal access to education and technical resources. 

Other notable examples

Several other nations are making significant strides in shaping the future of education: 

• Japan: Integrating mindfulness and emotional intelligence into the curriculum, Japan fosters well-rounded individuals equipped to handle academic challenges and navigate social complexities. 
• Canada: Championing equity and inclusion, Canada prioritizes providing all students with equal access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances. 
• Israel: Emphasising innovation and entrepreneurship, Israel encourages students to think creatively, solve problems, and develop their leadership skills.
• South Korea: Leading in STEM with a rigorous curriculum, strong work ethic, and top rankings in science and math, South Korea is creating a pipeline for technological innovation. However, the intense focus on academic achievement can lead to stress and anxiety among students.  

Key takeaways

The students of today need an education system that fosters adaptability, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. These are the key initiatives for countries aspiring to be educational leaders: 

• Prioritise Skills & Well-being: Move beyond rote memorisation by emphasising creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning. Like Finland, invest in student well-being to create a holistic learning environment.
• Embrace Technology, Personalise Learning: Integrate technology effectively, like Estonia, fostering digital literacy and personalised learning pathways as in Singapore. 
• Invest in Teachers: Provide strong teacher training and professional development, ensuring high-quality instruction that adapts to student needs. 
• Promote Equity & Access: Like many of the countries mentioned, prioritise equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of background. 
• Embrace Innovation & Change: Continuously improve based on data, like Estonia, and encourage a culture of innovation and problem-solving, drawing inspiration from Israel. 

By implementing these initiatives, countries can create an education system that equips students to thrive in the rapidly changing world of the 21st century.

1. The future of Jobs: Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution | World Economic Forum  ︎
2. Finnish education system | Aalto University ︎
3. Overview of Singapore education system | Singapore Ministry of Education ︎
4. Estonian education system | Education Estonia ︎

The post The Future of Education: What other countries do first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

Unless you’ve been on Mars for the last 18 months or so, you’ll no doubt be aware of the hype around Artificial Intelligence (AI); the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as perception, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Even before the blanket news coverage of ChatGPT and its friends, AI was already a part of our daily lives, from Alexa and Siri to Netflix recommendations.  

Here at Conflicted Parent Towers we think that AI in the near term is probably overhyped, but we also believe that in the longer term it will have a massive impact on our lives in ways we cannot even imagine today.

Should you teach your kids about AI?

As AI becomes more prevalent and powerful, we believe that it is vital for the next generation to grow up as confident and capable users of this technology from as early an age as possible. Why? 

• Employability and career potential: According to the British Council, It is believed that as many as 65 per cent of today’s students will be employed in jobs that don’t yet exist¹. Equipping kids with AI knowledge and skills will help ensure their employability and career potential in the future. AI is not only relevant for STEM fields, but also for many other domains, such as arts, humanities, and social sciences. Many artists are fearful of Generative AI (or GenAI), with readily-available tools such as Dall-E, but the genie is out of bottle and we are going to have to learn to use it as a tool to enhance human creativity. 
• Critical thinking and digital literacy: Teaching AI to children helps develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills, which are crucial for navigating the complex and often biased information landscape. By learning how AI works, what it can and cannot do, and the ethical and social implications of using it, children can become more aware and responsible consumers and creators of technology. 
• Diversity and inclusion: To promote diversity and inclusion in the AI field, which is currently dominated by a few groups and perspectives. By exposing children from different backgrounds, genders, and abilities to AI, we can inspire and empower them to pursue their interests and passions, and to contribute to the development and use of AI for good. 
• To Stop Killer Robots – Nope, only joking! We don’t really believe in Killer Robots

Why you can’t rely on UK schools to teach AI 

The UK government has recently recognised the importance of teaching AI to young children, but it has been slow to roll out detailed policy. As a result, many (not all) teachers, parents and policymakers are not yet seeing the value or urgency of teaching it to children.  

This is leaving the UK lagging behind other countries that have already implemented AI education programmes at primary level, such as China, Australia, and the US. These countries have developed curricula, resources, and activities that introduce AI concepts and applications to children as young as five, using stories, games, and experiments. They also aim to foster AI literacy, which involves not only technical skills, but also ethical, social, and creative aspects of AI.

How should parents fill the gap while the UK education system catches up?

While the UK education system is catching up with the AI revolution, parents can play a role in filling the gap and supporting their children’s learning in this area. We suggest that you educate yourself a little about common AI tools and talk about AI with your children. We were surprised at the meaningful conversations we had with our young primary school children about its benefits, challenges, and safely concerns. You can ask your children questions that encourage them to think critically and creatively about AI, such as: 

• What is AI and how does it work? 
• What are some examples of AI that you know or use? 
• How do you feel about AI and its impact on your life? 
• What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using AI? 
• What are some of the ethical and social issues that AI raises? 
• How can you use AI for good and avoid harm? 

We also started introducing our kids to AI Image generation (supervised of course) which captured their imagination enormously, leading to more questions and self directed offline activities like drawing and storytelling. We have a whole family of AI generated super hero amphibians – all with a story to tell. Here are some of our favourite images…

In future posts, we are going to explore child friendly AI tools that we are using with our children to bring them (and us!) up to speed with this exciting new world…

1. Preparing young people for the careers of the future | British Council ︎

The post Killer Robots? Teaching your Kids about AI first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

‘Can we go to the park, it’s a nice afternoon?’ says my child.  

I have already spent 2 hours this morning supervising my kids in the local swimming pool and I have a mountain of chores to do. 

‘Errm, well you have been to the pool already, and I’m not sure I have the time now’. 

‘Aww, so what shall I do?’ says child. 

How much I hate those words. In fairness, my kids are pretty good at amusing themselves, but they always seem to want my attention when I’m short of……..TIME!  Now there’s a thought! 

What to do?

I dig out the list of STEAM challenges that I collect for these very occasions. Some challenges require lots of my time to assist, but others like a good old poster competition are far less intensive.

Do you see the theme that’s emerging? Time. And by happy serendipity, that’s the theme for this year’s British Science Week! 

While still at my desk I locate the British Science Week website and brain dump the theme and guidance to my kid. The website suggests many possible topics on the subject of time: Evolution, seasons and time zones, lifecycles, lifespans, clocks, sundials, engineering, science in the future and lots more. 

After a few minutes of discussion, my kid says, ‘I know, I’m going to do a poster about what my school will look like in the future’. 

‘Good idea, maybe you can show a classroom in the past AND a classroom in the future. Maybe have a blackboard and chalk in the old classroom?’, I suggest.  

‘What’s a blackboard?’ says my child. I am stunned and feel very old. They walk off to get some paper and pens and have a chat with Google. I’m assuming it’s about classrooms of the future. 

I go back to my in-tray and get over an hour of peace and quiet…perfect! 

When my kid comes back, they are carrying a half decent drawing of a past and future classroom complete with flesh and blood teacher in the past and full-on robot educator in the future.  

C’mon I say, let’s go Google for some fun science stuff to write on the drawing.  

Result!

The final result looked like this, and I didn’t think it was half bad considering it was a pretty autonomous activity: 

Thank you, British Science Week! I got some peace and quiet, and my kid now knows what a blackboard is as well as some fun facts about AI, robots, 3D printers and VR headsets. 

As a little extra fun, we asked our AI friend Image Creator to create the same image, and this was the result. We loved it but we thought human generated original was better! What do you think? 

Note that the closing date for entries to the poster competition is 6.00 pm on Thursday 28 March 2024, and there are loads of wonderful resources on the British Science Week website to get you started and to inspire your little ones. 

The post STEAM Challenge – British Science Week Poster Competition first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

This year’s List to Santa included a request for “science projects” (hmmmm, I wonder where they got that idea from?) and the big day yielded, among others, this solar robot in kit form. The kit says quite clearly that it’s designed for kids aged 8 and above and mine are a little younger than that, so they needed a fair bit of help. However, it should be feasible for older kids with good concentration spans to complete these independently. 

But let’s face it, that wasn’t the point of building it! There’s a great opportunity here, as with lots of other STEAM-type toys and projects, to kick off some conversations about things like gears, electrical circuits and solar power. As we were figuring out how to assemble the robot, we talked about how the gears work together to make the robot move, how the circuit connects the solar panel to the motor, and how the solar panel converts sunlight into electrical energy. We even had a side conversation about electric cars and the environment and how solar power needs to be stored in batteries so we can have electricity when the Sun doesn’t shine.

So many pieces – let’s build!

The solar robot kit includes enough pieces to build 12 different types of robots that supposedly can move on land or water (we are yet to test this). It can feel a bit daunting after opening the box and seeing all 190 pieces (!) spread out alongside a fairly dense-looking instruction manual, but I’ve seen Lego kits that look just as complicated. One grumble I have is that the manual mentions a “diagonal or spruce cutter” that is needed to cut away the various parts for assembly, but this wasn’t mentioned anywhere else. Luckily, a sturdy pair of kitchen scissors did the trick.

You start by assembling a couple of common modules: the “body” which houses the motor and the gears, and the “head” which has the solar cell. To be totally honest, I did about 80% of the work, but there was more than enough to keep the kids interested and occupied. Besides “teaching moments” there were plenty of opportunities to get them to read the instructions carefully and to interpret the diagrams that show how the pieces are meant to fit together.

Your first big test comes after you’ve fitted the body and head together – it’s time to test that the solar cell actually works and can deliver enough power to make the gears move! The winter light we have at the moment is far too weak to power the robot, and we had a few moments wondering whether we had connected something incorrectly forcing us to disassemble the whole lot. Luckily, placing the cell near a bright lightbulb proved we’d done a good job; it just remains to be seen whether we’ll ever get enough sunlight to see our little robot in action.

Because the kit comes with enough pieces to build 12 different robot designs, this means that at any given time, your robot is only using a subset of the whole kit. Once thing I did appreciate was the inclusion of several labelled bags to keep the pieces you’re not using so you can find the ones you need easily again.

Was it worth it?

Well, you get what you pay for – this kit costs about £20 and the solar cell needs a very bright light to deliver enough power to the motor. We’ll see once summer gets here whether sunlight is enough but, for the Conflicted Family, it was a good investment of money and time. A lot of the fun was in following the instructions as a team and talking about some of the STEAM concepts that were sparked off (see what I did there?) during that process. I think the fact that you can convert it into 12 different robots will also help give it some longevity. 

I’d love to hear what you think if you decide to try it, or whether you have any suggestions for similar toys or projects that can be used to have those STEAM-related discussions with your kids.

This post contains an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate that means that, if you click on the link and end up purchasing the item, Conflicted Parent will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The post Teach STEAM Literacy by Building a Robot first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

Which parent hasn’t heard of STEM since it was coined back in 2001? Some of you may even be spending a small fortune on STEM workshops or classes covering everything from coding through science, robotics and even LEGO. And to be fair, it’s a good framework for equipping students with the skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

You may not, however, be as familiar with STEAM. If you Google STEM versus STEAM, you find many articles and a few heated Reddit posts on the pros and cons of each. But the Conflicted Parent doesn’t really think there is a discussion to be had. STEAM is simply a wonderful evolution of STEM which happened back in 2006 when Georgette Yakman, an education advocate, introduced the “A” for Arts to acknowledge the importance of creativity for success and mental health¹.

Remember those 21^st Century skills we covered in an earlier post? Creativity is one of the key competencies. Literacy in all the STEM subjects is important. However without creativity you’re missing that fundamental spark that separates the good from the great.

The well-known educator Sir Ken Robinson back in 2006 observed that the UK education system was stifling kid’s natural creativity. In his famous TED talk on the subject, he stressed the need to nurture imagination and original thinking, asserting that creativity should be regarded as equally vital as literacy.

However, this seems to have been ignored by both sides of the political divide as they have continued their relentless drive to standardised testing. Nearly 20 years on we are still seeing diminishing creativity and increasing mental health issues in our kids and teens. As parents, we can champion this cause by embracing STEAM. By encouraging our kids to explore the realms of science and technology while also nurturing their artistic sensibilities. 

It’s not easy though – I’m a STEM graduate with a creative kid. I find that I instinctively value the ‘measurable’ literacies more than the harder to assess competencies.  I also know that will be what the educational system will use to measure success. However, as Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up”. The UK educational system is too focused on literacies, and, as a parent, I need to help sustain my child’s creativity as they mature.  

And I’m confident that I’m doing the right thing. Nobel Prize winners, epitomising the pinnacle of achievement in their respective fields, often share a deep connection with creativity and the arts. Research indicates that Nobel laureates are more likely to engage in creative or musical pursuits than their counterparts², reinforcing the idea that an education that integrates the arts, cultivates minds capable of groundbreaking innovations. 

I’m embracing the ‘A’ in STEAM learning – How about you?

1. What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?  |  World Health Organisation ︎
2. Beyond the Renaissance: Nobel Laureates and Their Creative Pursuits | Biomedical Odyssey (hopkinsmedicine.org) ︎

The post Embracing the ‘A’ in STEAM Learning first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

February half term can be a dreary affair if you’re not basking in the warmth of a holiday somewhere other than the UK. On the upside, I’m in London, so there are lots of things to do with the family. On the downside…it’s crowded…very, very crowded. Fortunately, there’s a gem in the city that offers a refreshing alternative to the busy South Kensington Museum mile: Tate Britain.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Natural History Museum, but shuffling around the Dinosaur Exhibition with half of London (the ones that are not on holiday)… well, can we go somewhere quieter instead? Of course, this was not what the younger members of my family wanted to hear, but this free art gallery turned out to be a great day out.

The journey begins with a train ride, always a hit with 7-year-olds. Arriving at Vauxhall, a quick 10-minute walk over the bridge leads to the Vauxhall riverwalk, offering a perfect pitstop at a cafe with a creative seat-cum-play area. A quick coffee for the grown-up and a re-enactment of ‘The Floor is Lava’ for the kids and it’s time to explore Tate Britain. 

Tate Britain, housed in a beautiful building, showcases 500 years of British art and its stories. The staff are sweet and after seeing my large bag of snacks remind me that eating isn’t allowed in the galleries – but there’s a spacious cafe downstairs with lots of seating where we can. Blissful words for a parent!  

Navigating art galleries with my children usually involves a routine: let them draw for a bit, feed them, and then allow a brief exploration for the designated grown-up. Tate Britain helps with that as the staff hand over Tate-themed sketch books and pencils to the kids and tell us that the play studio, story space and Tate Draw are open.

The play studio is amazing – filled with art materials, kinetic sand, books, toys, and even a massive green screen. Under the guidance of encouraging staff, an hour later my young artists emerged proudly displaying their masterpieces. 

But the highlight for the kids came with Tate Draw, where digital pads allow them to create drawings showcased on a giant digital gallery wall. They were giddy with excitement as they experimented with backgrounds, pixelated art, and free draw options before getting their artworks projected larger than life above their heads. 

Finally, the actual gallery exploration begins, and surprisingly, Tate Britain is welcoming to young art enthusiasts. It has lots of interesting pieces – and my kids turn out to be brutal art critics. Turners are dismissed as ‘gloomy’ while unusual works like Damien Hirst‘s sheep or Barbara Hepworth’s shell-like sculpture get the thumbs up. Some of the artists they’d even heard of like Andrew Gormley and Bridget Riley – thanks to Olaf Falafel and Trixie Pickle. ‘Oooooh look – a penis!’ in response to Gormley’s ‘Three Ways: Mould Hole and Passage‘ and ‘Oh, that’s makes me feel dizzy’ on Riley’s black and white OpArt.

I’m largely amused by the commentary until we hit a Francis Bacon. ‘I do NOT like that!’ one child pronounced loudly pointing to a large painting of 3 very ‘melty’ looking figures (Triptych August 1972). I can’t say I disagreed, but was mortified at spotting a very serious looking chap sitting on a bench in front of said artwork who appeared to have been ruminating on it for quite some time. He didn’t seem to notice – or was very polite. I encourage critical thinking in my kids but maybe I should introduce diplomacy too? 

In total, we spent about four hours at Tate Britain, with a significant portion dedicated to exploring the artworks. My kids would happily go again, and I would highly recommend it to other parents who want to find the fun in typically more grown-up public museums and galleries (and avoid the endless dinosaur queue in the ‘other’ museum). And it’s free! What more could you ask for? 

P.S. As a side note, a quick Google search led to a Guardian review last year from a seasoned art critic that was in humorous contrast to my opinionated kids. He hated everything!! Maybe the gallery just isn’t intended for Guardian critics anymore? Make way for the new generation of art enthusiasts! Hey Guardian (art and design) – can my kids write an article for you? 

The post Tate Britain: Arty Fun for Families  first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

We all know there are some foundational skills that our kids need to learn: maths and English. Or more properly, literacy and numeracy. Not a day goes by in school, especially in KS1 and KS2, that these two aren’t covered and they are essentially what is measured by the assessments (SATs) at the end of each key stage. 

In the Conflicted Parent’s Guide to 21st Century Skills, I wrote about the other basic literacies that our kids are going to need to be successful. One of these is digital (or ICT) literacy. I described it as “The ability to use digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to define, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information effectively and ethically.”

That’s a serious mouthful. What does it actually mean? 

I think of it this way: literacy skills empower us to decode written language, work out the layers of meaning in stories, and express ourselves with words. Numeracy unlocks the world of numbers, calculations, and logical thinking. Digital literacy does something similar to both of these, but in the digital, instead of the analogue world. It’s not just about knowing how to use different devices, but also about understanding the language and the norms in digital land. Digital literacy is essential for children (and adults) to navigate this world safely, to learn how to find and assess information, and how to use it productively and responsibly.

A toolbox for the digital world

What tools and skills do kids need to learn navigate the world online? The Conflicted Parent’s trademarked digital literacy curriculum isn’t (yet) ready, but broadly it breaks down like this: 

• Technical savvy: Knowing how to use devices like computers, tablets, and phones. It’s not just about swiping and clicking, but understanding basic operations, troubleshooting, and becoming comfortable with software programs they will likely encounter as they grow older. 
• Information literacy: This is like learning to read critically. Kids need to be able to evaluate online information, distinguish fact from fiction, and identify reliable sources. In an age of mass disinformation, this is more essential than ever 
• Communication skills: The digital world is all about connections. Children need to learn how to communicate effectively online, whether it’s through email, social media, or video conferencing. Each one of these has its own uses and unwritten rules of etiquette. 
• Problem-solving and creativity: Just like building with LEGO, the digital world offers endless possibilities. Children need the skills to solve technical problems, understand and work with computational tools, and create digital content. 
• Safety and security: Last, but most definitely not least, this is about staying safe online. The digital world can be a jungle, and just like teaching them to cross the street safely, we need to equip our kids with digital safety skills. This includes protecting their privacy, online hygiene, and understanding cyber threats. 

Why does this matter?

Here’s why I think digital literacy is an essential foundational skill, alongside literacy and numeracy, if we want our kids to be ready for the world of tomorrow: 

• Jobs of the future: Studies show that most future jobs will require some level of digital literacy¹. From marketing to healthcare, even construction, technology is woven into almost every career path. Without these skills, our children might be left behind.
• Lifelong learning: To survive and thrive in an ever-changing world, our kids need to be adaptable and constantly assessing and renewing their skillsets. Whether it’s researching information for a school project or upskilling for a new job, digital literacy opens doors to continuous learning².
• Global citizenship: The internet connects us like never before. Understanding different online cultures, respecting diverse viewpoints, and communicating effectively online are essential for being responsible global citizens³. I used to think this would happen naturally as people of different backgrounds started interacting, but it’s clear that the internet can be (mis)used as a tool for division as much as it can help bring us together. 
• Empowerment and independence: Just like reading empowers us to access information and express ourselves, digital literacy gives our children the tools⁴ to navigate the online world confidently and independently.

What you can do about it

If you’ve read this far, then you want to know what you can do, in practical terms, to help your kids to become digitally literate. First off, come to terms with the fact that this will probably be a learning experience for you. I think I’m digitally savvy but when I experience the online world through my kids’ eyes, I realise that there’s lots I don’t know and lots I’ve assumed everyone knows that need to be properly articulated. 

Part of that learning process has been to undertake a bunch of fun STEAM challenges with my kids, many of them online, from writing code to run in the International Space Station to designing a Lunar base using 3D software, all for free. Like Mary Poppins said, if you can find the fun, the job becomes a game. 

At this point in our journey, my kids are young enough that I have been easily able to set boundaries on their digital experience (limiting screen time or access to the internet), and I’ve not yet had to contend with the dreaded spectre of social media. So, I’m going to educate myself and share that with you, and I also invite you to share some of the things you’ve learnt in your own personal journeys.

1. Why ‘digital literacy’ is now a workplace non-negotiable – BBC Worklife ︎
2. Understanding and developing Digital Literacy | World of Better Learning, Cambridge University Press ︎
3. The Digital Literacy Imperative | Center for Strategic & International Studies ︎
4. Insights into young people’s literacy, critical digital literacy, online communication and wellbeing | National Literacy Trust ︎

The post What is Digital Literacy and Why Should You Care?  first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

For the past few years, during “Biology Week”, the Royal Society of Biology has launched their BioArtAttack 3D competition, inviting people of all ages to fuse biology and art to create biology-themed artworks inspired by the natural world. These can be anything from collages to models, sculptures or animations. 

We only found out about this competition a short while ago, while the Conflicted Parent was trying to find new ways to channel the kids’ creativity into activities that also provide learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths. This yielded a whole list of STEAM challenges (the ‘A’, for art, is critical), but we only had a few days left to enter BioArtAttack 3D. What to do? 

Having a naturally expressive creative child helps. Over the past several months, week in, week out, they’ve been attending art classes at our local art-K studio. This has resulted in a huge profusion of artworks using different media, materials and techniques. The theme of the Great Barrier Reef pretty much suggested itself as they had covered it in school while discussing ecosystems and there were already some relevant pieces (a beach/sea scene and a sea turtle).

The process of creating a 3D artwork is a valuable STEAM activity for parents to do with their children. It encourages children to think creatively and critically, while also developing their scientific knowledge and skills. To create a 3D artwork, children need to plan, design, and build their creation, which also involves a range of skills such as problem-solving, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills. It’s the full package! 

The complete vision of how to take all these elements, create and add a few more and then combine them into a 3D ‘diorama’ of the Great Barrier Reef just seemed to spring fully formed into the Conflicted Parent’s child’s mind. This is one of the aspects of creativity that always astounds the Conflicted Parent. Did we all have this ability as children, and if so, how/when did we lose it? 

We spent the rest of the afternoon researching and then recreating the various creatures and plants to add to the scene: sea stars, clownfish, anemones and coral. They repurposed some cardboard out of the recycling bin with some blue paint as the base and put everything together. 

The competition submission needed some labels and lists of materials. We could have done this by hand, but the afternoon was turning into evening and the submission date loomed, so the Conflicted Parent made good use of their ICT skills to do this digitally. 

In conclusion, we all had a fun time researching and building the final artwork, while learning things almost without noticing. I’d say that was a job well done, wouldn’t you? 

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Before we start, a reminder that I’m the Conflicted Parent, not the Political Parent – at least not online. The philosophical discussion of private schools is for my other alter ego on a Friday night after the kids have gone to bed. Please contact me directly to schedule that discussion!  

Now we’ve established that the Conflicted Parent is not partisan, we can begin:

As a parent, one of the most important decisions you can make is where to send your child to school. Private schools are often perceived to give your child an edge in education and life, but is this hype and are they worth it? How can you invest wisely in your kid’s education? Read on….

The Pros

Higher academic outcomes

Private schools have higher expectations and more rigorous curricula than state schools. They have more resources to spend on teaching and learning, such as smaller class sizes, better facilities, and (perhaps) more highly qualified teachers. As a result, privately-educated pupils tend to achieve higher grades than their state school peers. According to Ofqual, in 2023 private school students in England were more than twice as likely¹ to earn A or A* grades as state pupils. Private school pupils are also more likely to go on to higher education, and tend to have higher earnings and more influential careers than those attending state schools².

Greater parental choice and engagement

Private schools offer more flexibility to parents where they can choose a private school that suits their child’s needs, interests, and abilities. These institutions, by virtue of the smaller class sizes and higher staff-pupil ratios, can also afford to place a premium on communication³. Staff can make themselves more available either via email or more frequent parents’ evenings. Parents who want to be more engaged (and can afford it) will more naturally gravitate towards private schools.

Enrichment opportunities

Private schools provide a wider range of extracurricular activities and experiences than state schools, such as sports, arts, music, drama, clubs, and societies. These opportunities can help develop students’ skills, talents, passions, and confidence. Private schools can design their curriculum independently of the national curriculum and can therefore teach a broader set of subjects. They also tend to have more connections and networks with external organisations and institutions, such as employers, universities, charities, and alumni, which can help open more doors and possibilities for students’ future education and career.

Ok – you knew that already and it sounds like a no-brainer! Where do you sign?  

But hold on there just one second, I’ve only told you the good stuff, let’s balance this out.

The Cons

High financial costs

Private schools are expensive, and their fees have been rising faster than inflation and income in recent years. According to the Independent Schools Council, the average annual fee for a private day school in the UK in 2022-23 was £16,656⁴. And if that seems low to you, it may be because that’s the UK average; there are significant regional variations with (for example) London having significantly more expensive institutions. These fees also don’t include other costs, such as uniforms, books, transport, and trips. Many parents make sacrifices to afford school fees, such as cutting back on holidays, leisure activities, or even household expenses.

You think you can service that cost? According to a survey by the charity Parentkind, research suggests that almost one in three parents are struggling with the costs⁵ of sending their children to school and an increasing number of parents are taking out loans to pay for private school fees for their children⁶. This is likely to become worse if VAT is charged on school fees under a potential Labour Government; possibly resulting in your private school losing children or even closing !

Don’t believe me? Here you go, straight from the horse’s mouth: Tom Dawson, Headmaster of  Sunningdale School, believes that up to a third of parents may have to take their children out of private schools, causing some of them to close and that the state sector does not have the capacity to take the additional pupils⁷. For many parents, paying for private school can be a huge financial burden and a source of stress and anxiety. Great if you can afford it, but what if you struggle to make the numbers work?

Social inequality

Private schools widen the wealth gap by predominantly catering to affluent families who can afford the fees and meet entrance requirements. This leads to a stark socio-economic divide between private and state, putting your child in an echo chamber of peers with the same privileged experiences. Maybe you don’t care — after all, you are doing what’s best for your child. The Conflicted Parent gets that and it’s understandable to think that way. But consider the 21^st-century skills your children are going to need: cultural intelligence, empathy, civic engagement. Limiting their exposure to different perspectives may impact their ability to navigate the diverse world ahead. Is trading improved grades worth this limitation?

Worse mental health

Now this is the most surprising point for the Conflicted Parent! Parents often cite bullying and wellbeing as a reason for moving their children into private schools. But private schools may not necessarily lead to better mental health and wellbeing for students, despite their academic and future career benefits. A study conducted by the University of York found that privately educated students are more likely to experience bullying, start drinking earlier, and take more risks than their state school counterparts⁸. Another study found that students in high achieving schools, some private and some public, had rates of clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression that were six to seven times the national average!⁹.

The reasons are many and varied. Private school students may face more pressure and stress to perform well and meet high expectations, both from their schools and their parents. They may also experience more competition and comparison with their peers and feel less satisfied with their achievements. Private school students may also struggle to cope with the transition to higher education or work, where they may encounter more diversity and adversity, and lose their sense of privilege and advantage.

Not so clear cut now, am I right?

The ‘Return on Investment’ Calculation

Given the pros and cons, how do parents decide whether they are worth the investment and the risk? There is no definitive answer to these questions, as parents have different preferences, priorities, and circumstances. My thoughts?

Private schools are not the only way to achieve success

Students’ abilities, motivations, and choices, as well as family background, social networks, and external opportunities, all play a significant role. Of these, external opportunities are the ones that parents can leverage to democratise education. With a little imagination, there are opportunities everywhere to enrich your children’s education that are low or zero cost! Moreover, there are many state schools that offer high-quality education and excellent results, and that can compete with or even outperform private schools. I know the competition for those is fierce – but not every child has the stomach for that high achieving competition, neither in private nor state school. Maybe your child needs a different route for success? Think about that!

Private schools may not prepare children for the future

Private schools may be too focused on academic achievement and traditional subjects and may not provide enough exposure and experience to the real world and its diversity and complexity. They may also instill a sense of entitlement and complacency in students, and may not foster the resilience, adaptability, and curiosity that are essential for lifelong learning and development.

Private schools may not be worth the financial costs

Private schools may not be a wise or financially sustainable choice, especially in times of economic uncertainty and instability, and considering the increasing availability and affordability of alternative and diverse educational options (looking at you AI). And anyway, many universities have introduced initiatives to increase the access and participation of state school students, such as contextualised admissions, outreach programs, and, yes, lower grade offers¹⁰.

So, now what Conflicted Parent? 

Private schools are a controversial and complex topic, and there is no simple answer to whether they are worth it or not. Parents who are considering private schools for their children should weigh up the costs and benefits of different options and make informed decisions based on their own priorities and circumstances.  

Me? For full transparency, The Conflicted Parent is in a wonderful state primary school and loves it. Right now, the ROI calculation simply doesn’t add up. Will a move to private ever be on the cards assuming it can be funded? I really don’t know. One of the reasons for starting this blog was to figure it out. What do you think? 

1. Private school students in England twice as likely to earn top A level grades as state pupils | The Guardian ︎
2. Elitist Britain 2019 | Sutton Trust ︎
3. Pushy parents in private schools: public enemy number one for teachers? | Teacher Network | The Guardian ︎
4. Independent Schools Council: 2023 Census ︎
5. National Parent Survey 2023 | ParentKind  ︎
6. Sharp rise in parents taking out LOANS to pay children’s private school fees | This is Money ︎
7. ‘We will lose a third of parents’: The private schools facing closure under Labour’s tax plans | Daily Telegraph [paywall] ︎
8. Private school education may damage students’ social and emotional development | University of York ︎
9. The Toxic Consequences of Attending a High-Achieving School | Psychology Today ︎
10. Universities offer places to disadvantaged children with three grades lower than middle-class students | Daily Telegraph [paywall] ︎

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