Five-year-olds' Perceptions of Why We Go to School

Drawing on a recent study intended to reflect the five-olds' perspective of school this article addresses the question of ‘why we go to school’. Fifty children from five county council reception/year one classrooms were observed and then interviewed over a ten-week period. There occurs a socialisation of these children to the view that schooling is essential for their preparation for the future. According to the children this takes place during activities identified as ‘work’ not ‘play’ and is emphasised by the compulsory nature of schooling.