Nicky Morgan: Children misled by 'instant success' of X Factor

 

The Education Secretary has said that children must be taught that success "doesn't happen overnight"

Children must be taught that there are no shortcuts to success and that "instant fame and money" do not happen overnight, the Education Secretary has said.

Speaking in an interview, Nicky Morgan said that reality TV shows, such as the X Factor "make people think they can have instant success" but that realistic, inspiring role models should be put in front of youngsters.

Ms Morgan said that entrepreneurs and successful actors and musicians who had "worked really hard" should be put in front of young people.

Her comments echo those of Ian Bauckham, a former president of the Association of School and College Leader.

Speaking to The House magazine - the weekly magazine of the Houses of Parliament - Ms Morgan said: "I think sometimes people will look at the X Factor winners or they will look at reality TV shows and they will think actually you can have instant success, fame, money overnight.

"When I go in and talk to students about being a Member of Parliament, I say to them it took me 21 years from joining the Conservative Party as a 16-year-old to being elected as a Member of Parliament for the first time in Loughborough."
She continued: "It’s a long journey, but the rewards when you get there, the feeling of accomplishment is huge.
"The best schools already talk about all of this. I want this for all schools and all children."
Ms Morgan also stressed the importance of character education in developing "resilience, persistence and grit" in young children.

"What I want to see in teacher training is more talk about character education and getting teachers to really think about it," she said. "We have been careful not to define what we mean by character but we think the best schools and the best teachers know how they build strong, resilient young people.”