Weak inspection reports or weak character - which is worse?

I learned an interesting thing this week - learned through comedy, so not strictly citable, but a very effective way to learn - that apparently 45% of who we are, comes from the people we were at school with.

Old school pals - so influential

Back in the day

This new idea coincides with a lot of conversation in the community lately about the local school here in South Lochs and its recent terrible inspection report. 

The school is in the village of Gravir, 45 minutes drive from the main island town of Stornoway and therefore guaranteed to escape closure because of travelling time policy for kids - no primary school child must be on a bus for longer than 25 minutes to get to school.  This results in a lovely little rural school, with currently 24 children on the roll, in mixed age classes.  It has its pros and cons, but my kids and therefore I too, love it.

Sportsday, Primary years 1 & 2 competing- always guaranteed a placing

So if our adult form takes so much influence from our school mates, what will my kids gain from their educational environment.

Austin is one of 2 in his year group - the other boy, Lachie, is a year older, but has stayed back a year to have Austin as company - the year above is made up of 3 girls and so it was decided that Lachie would have more fun learning with a pal for company.  As it happens the 2 boys are quite different and while they choose to play together, they are put in different year groups to learn.  Austin is therefore quite an individual and stands on his own 2 feet. You can never account for all the variables in decision making.

Morris is part of a pack of 5 in his age group. His personality is very different - he has always had to compete with his peers to be heard and is very aware of where he might be placed in the group with regards to achievement. This has made him quite anxious that he may be overlooked or misunderstood, however he is also a lot more in tune with the feelings of others and the complexity of group dynamics.  He never fails to surprise me in coming up with something new.

Two very different boys as brothers, so now I also wonder how much of who they are is also being determined by their peers.  And what effect does it have if they have fewer peers than in mainland schools?

Gravir school roll 2014

Wee room: Primary 1, 2 & 3 = 11

Big room: Primary 4, 5, 6 & 7 = 9

Gaelic medium: Primary 1-7 = 4

So what of the 'weak' inspection grades. If so much of our development is from the people around us, does it matter that a school doesn't correctly fill in the paperwork? 

The staff at Gravir school could be called old fashioned in their ways. They place a lot of emphasis on helping the children to play together nicely - the older kids being made aware of the littler ones and their different needs. They are reminded about manners and respect for visitors who come to the school.  In my opinon this far outweighs the need for ticks on sheets and crosses in boxes.

Lets face it, kids can be horrible to each other and without any sensible guidance, a mob mentality soon develops.  The staff at the school know every child individually - not as a 'type' or a 'profile fit' - but as little people. Everyone who works there lives in the area too and they can see the homes behind the children.  Because of this close relationship, the children listen to the adults, not the mob voice.

Don't get me wrong, the academic achievement is also a priority, but so much of the education system is about learning how to fit in to society. How to work in a group, speak out but also listen to and respect the feelings of others.

Better a weak inspection report, than a weak character - I want my children to be cool people, not just by what they do in life, but who they are.