What's the point of secondary school education?

[strapping_b]

(That's 11-16 year olds, for non-UK peeps)

Now, I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. I'm just wondering if it's the best use of our children's time.

I haven't been to school for 20 years, so if things have changed since my day please le me know...

Everyone needs good levels of literacy and numeracy, granted. But I fail to see how sitting through years of geography, chemistry or French is going to benefit more than a few people in each class.

I would have thought that, along with the current range for those that want them, more vocational subjects could be useful. Plus, more general, life-skills sorts of subjects such as problem-solving might be good. Or awareness of other cultures could be given more emphasis.

Comments, please.
Actually, old know all, I have a degree in maths from Oxford University, and a memory good enough to remember some of what I did learn at school. And I'm not saying that it's a complete waste of time for everyone else, just is it the best use of their time. What are they trying to achieve? For example, is the point the final qualifications, so employers can pick the best candidates?