Overall Curriculum Aims

We want all young people to have a successful life. This means success in worthwhile activities and relationships which they have freely engaged in and which they pursue wholeheartedly.                                                                                      (White, 2007: 26)

Personal self-fulfilment is very important as an educational aim. Students should feel they have achieved something relevant to their needs in the future. This means that they have to be challenged by the curriculum because if it is to easy they will not feel as if they have achieved much. The curriculum must cater for every aspect of the students needs, not just a qualification. They should feel they have gained life skills and have become a well rounded person.

Students should feel they have developed relationships with friends, adults and members of the opposite sex. They should understand who they are and how others view them. It is important that they experience a wide range of emotions which may be inherited through life learning. If a student can show empathy for and feel confidence when interacting with others they will have a solid foundation for future work, academic, family and social life.

Wholeheartedness is extremely important for the school, teacher and students. Everyone has to be enthusiastic and sincere when adapting and fulfilling a curriculum for it to be effective. If there is any lack of motivation this feeling will spread to everyone involved making learning a challenging task.

So what counts as worthwhile? I would view the worthwhile activities as thouse which benefit the students and relate to their interest. The activities and relationships they engage in must be healthy and cater for the students wants. For example, there is no need trying to encourage a student who is an artist to pursue activities in Chemistry. Students should find there own vocation and explore the skills necessary to be successful, this will also provide scope for relationships with peers who have the same interest.  The activities and relationships should encourage enthusiasm for individual investigative learning which will last for a lifetime.