I do agree with you Lloydslights, there are some excellent specialist schools like that which make all the difference to certain students, worth their weight in gold.
As a musician (classical and jazz), I feel compelled to say that learning an instrument by ear before learning to read music or play scales is something to be applauded and encouraged from my experience as a performer and music teacher (as well as in other disciplines).
When the ear is 'tuned' naturally, and children particularly thrive on doing that as well as adults, the practical side tends to 'kick in' extremely quickly without the theory and paper getting in the way to start with, then they catch up with the rest speedily.
It's interesting to watch this happen both academically and theoretically in terms of music education.
Reading and writing, expression and comprehension is something quite different, albeit music education has shown to really help student numeracy in particular as after all, music is essentially grounded in maths.
You and others would do well to take your advice and 'get out in the real world' instead of spending so much time at the computer.
Can't be good for your health and it is obviously not good for your spelling either 
"While there is probably no single reason why the standards have dropped so far I feel that more parental involvement would substantially help.
Parents need to be alert to what their children are lacking in and take steps themselves to seek remedies.
It's all too easy to blame a poor system but if it really matters you'll do something about it yourself"
Can't argue with that. The problem is, many parents may have been "lost" in the same system and then it becomes too difficult for them to help with the fundamental needs their children are experiencing now in the same way.
