Radio Times: Review by:; Jack Seale

John Humphrys hosts the first in a series of discussions. What should we teach children? A panel of educationalists, politicians and people from think tanks bat this around before settling on the fundamental point: if children must go to school, to what extent should they all be taught the same subjects? Should carpentry and hairdressing be as readily available as physics and Shakespeare to avoid alienating kids less suited to written exams and traditional core knowledge, or do those kids only exist in the presence of poor teaching?

Smaller classes, better resources and a less entrenched gap between state and private schools might make the question less pressing, but there are insights here — mainly from the audience and, on tape, schoolchildren themselves.

About this programme

1/3. John Humphrys presents the first of three discussions in which educational, political and social thinkers debate aspects of teaching, beginning with what should be taught. Panellists include Master of Wellington College Anthony Seldon, Iram Siraj-Blatchford of the Institute of Education, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts Matthew Taylor, former education secretary Estelle Morris and Rachel Wolf, Director of the New Schools Network.