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Pupils views on happiness in curriculum
SCHOOLS in Birmingham are being encouraged to ensure the emotional well-being of pupils by putting happiness at the heart of the curriculum.
It follows a survey in the city which found that 17 per cent of seven to 18-year-olds "worried a lot" and ten per cent were "unhappy or tearful".
David Ambler, president of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in Birmingham, said the root causes were the repetitive National Curriculum and the strain of too many tests.
"I welcome the idea of happiness in our schools. Too much pressure is put on children and teachers to succeed."
The Mail asked Year Seven pupils at St Alban's Church of England School, in Highgate, about the survey.
Head of year Martin Jones said students thrived on the school's points system.
"At the end of a lesson the teacher will sign the pupil's planner. If they get a smiley face it means they are happy, the teacher is happy, they have learnt their subject and are ready for the next lesson."
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