How Well are we Preparing our Children?

Recent research has unveiled a growing concern shared by both parents and business leaders regarding the education system’s ability to adequately prepare children for the challenges of the future.

The Future Fwd Study

The study, conducted by MTM Consulting and presented at the Future Fwd Conference this week, highlights a lack of communication skills, which are unanimously recognised by contributors as one of the most crucial abilities for success in today’s world.

While acknowledging the education system’s role in teaching academic subjects, the survey highlighted that parents and business leaders hold the shared belief that communication skills should be nurtured at home. These findings suggest that the weak point lies within families’ understanding of their role within the education system and how they can effectively deliver these critical skills to their children.

“Clear and effective communication is crucial in today’s interconnected world, enabling individuals to thrive in various aspects of life,” stated James Leggett, Managing Director at MTM Consulting. “Efforts to bridge this gap must focus on strengthening the connection between schools and families, fostering open lines of communication, and providing the necessary tools to facilitate the development of effective communication skills at home.”

The report also highlighted that the past 12 months have witnessed a significant decline in parental confidence regarding their children’s preparedness for the future within the educational system. A mere 48% of families now feel that schools are adequately equipping their children, marking a considerable drop from 69% in 2022.

This lack of faith is further exemplified by business leaders, with only slightly over a third expressing confidence in the preparedness of graduates.

“These concerning figures underscore the urgent necessity for collaboration between schools and business leaders to effectively prepare the younger generation for the challenges and opportunities of the future,” commented Richard Nicholson, Head at Warwick Schools Foundation. “It is evident that concerted efforts are required to bridge the gap between education and industry to ensure that our children receive the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”

About Future Fwd

Future Fwd is an annual educational conference organised by Warwick Schools Foundation. Focused on future generations, and how we can ensure that the young people of today and tomorrow can succeed in a fast-changing world, it aims to join up the thinking across the worlds of business and industry, higher and further education, and schools, with a range of speakers who will both inspire and challenge.  Through facilitated round-table discussions, delegates will develop tangible takeaways to make a difference in our schools and workplaces.  By bringing together everyone who has a stake in the success of our young people, we can better prepare them for the future.

To read the report in full, please click here.