Inspectors at a young offender's institution in the UK found that English and maths scores were above the national average, with very good behavior observed in classrooms.
The subjects they chose would further them in careers like bricklaying, building and car mechanics. They knew what they needed to escape the confines of their incarceration. In that, they were ahead of the game.
This highlights the recent lack of discipline in English state schools. Could pupil's attention span be suffering if the teacher doesn't restore order?
Back in the 1950s, I wasn't interested in any of the subjects on offer, but classroom discipline couldn't be blamed. I loved my teachers and got on well with my peers. With me, I guess arrogance caused me to gaze out the window and dream. Back then, I would never have pinpointed my desire to write fiction.
Perhaps the most important thing for a youngster to know is their goal. And that might come late in life as it did for me.
What was your experiences like at school?