Kevin - I think it is dangerous to presuppose that kids are by definition not interested in learning associated with school and/or adult supervision, but I get your point. I still maintain that a lot of damage could be undone if the school day were made shorter and the starting age older. I object with every fibre of my being to seeing babies in uniform. My kids were still taking an afternoon nap at the age that British children are fastened to a desk! And to what end? Where's the benefit?

I agree with the danger as identified by Paul Goodman, but perhaps parents could shoulder more of the responsibility of facilitating the pursuance of hobbies and self directed play/learning? I have noticed a distinct abdication of parental responsibility in the UK that has probably been fostered by what is often called the nanny state.

I'm totally with you that the current system presumes too much upon a child's out of school days. My kids have yet to bring home a reading list, though. To be honest, my elder son would probably have read most of what would be on it, and my younger son wouldn't be remotely interested. He would probably hire the DVDs, and then open a family discussion on where the DVD had deviated from the original text, knowing that he could rely on at least one member of the family having read the book. If the DVD were unavailable, he might get the audio book and listen to it while playing on his PS2. Both my kids are total LoTR fans - one read every word at the age of about 9, the other made it to chapter 2 of The Hobbit before giving up. He came to know the material through the extended DVDs, family debates about whether or not Elijah Wood looked anything like Frodo Baggins (I think not, but am prepared to get over it and enjoy the movie anyway) and pontifications from his brother who can be a Tolkien-bore. Is one's passion more valid than the other?

I do wish my younger son loved to read texts - it is a pastime that opens doors to many wonders - but he doesn't and there it is. He hates the solitariness of reading. We have explored and found alternatives for him to enjoy, but I regard that as a parental responsibility, not a school one.

Oh, and by the way - I'm a Watership Down fan too. Have you ever read Tailchaser's Song (Tad Williams)? http://www.amazon.com/Tailchasers-Song-Anniversary-Tad-Williams/dp/customer-reviews/0886773741