I'm much quicker on the computer; I use all my fingers, and I don't really have to look at them."Jenny, 14: "I like my writing, but when I'm writing a lot it gets bigger. When I'm taking notes it tends to get bigger and more spaced out, but it's still quite easy to read. We've recently got a more up-to-date computer at home, and when we get set projects at school, they encourage us to do it on the computer. I think work looks nicer on the computer, because you can get different fonts and borders, and it does look neater. But I find it quicker writing by hand: by the time you've set up the computer with the right programme and all the settings and the right style, it takes you longer. If you just get a pen, you can write it down in five minutes."Umayya, 12: "When I write, it's a bit slow I don't like my handwriting, because it's scribbly I use a computer at home and at school. My cousin taught me to touch-type, and that makes it quite fast.

I prefer the computer, because it's much faster and I get more work done.". At last we know what the national curriculum is supposed to be "for". The new version in force from this September comes with a full set of aims attached. The nonsense of 1988 is now behind us - that byzantine structure of foundation subjects, attainment targets, programmes of study with next-to-no picture of what purposes it was meant to serve. For the first time in our history we have a clear idea of what the nation wants for its children.

At last we know what the national curriculum is supposed to be "for". The new version in force from this September comes with a full set of aims attached. The nonsense of 1988 is now behind us - that byzantine structure of foundation subjects, attainment targets, programmes of study with next-to-no picture of what purposes it was meant to serve. For the first time in our history we have a clear idea of what the nation wants for its children. The new aims are pretty good and focus on promoting the well-being of the pupil. They emphasise fairness and justice, communal and global attachments. They are in line with the needs of an active, modern liberal democracy.