Forum for young is thought provoking

FACEBOOK, helping failing pupils and good and bad teaching methods were just some of the hot topics brought up by kids at a lively discussion at a Canning Town school. Pupils at Eastlea Community School in Exning Road made some constructive suggestions a

FACEBOOK, helping failing pupils and good and bad teaching methods were just some of the hot topics brought up by kids at a lively discussion at a Canning Town school.

Pupils at Eastlea Community School in Exning Road made some constructive suggestions and delivered some tough questions to their department heads at their second student forum last week .

Richard Skyers, assistant principal student voices, said: "The evening went extremely well.

"One teacher being interviewed described the experience as 'thought provoking'".

Six students, representing various age groups, genders and ethnicities, put forward some interesting ideas to help stimulate learning at the comprehensive.

Ideas included using new communication media, such as MSN Chat and facebook, for class work, teaching more languages, Saturday school for catch-up lessons and more sports in PE.

The kids were also unafraid to air their criticism of some teaching methods at the school, including too much time spent on writing out instructions and the need for more class activities and appreciation of achievement.

The views and suggestions of the pupils will now be considered by the school's senior staff.