What was the subject you learnt at school that you never had to use in life?

I suppose all subjects have some use, provided you know what that use is. I always thought equations, geometry, etc, etc, were unnecessary and useless - sbecause their very real practical applications were never explained or demonstrated.

I don't really remember anything from physics and chemistry - but I think that is down to me not being very quick on the uptake and therefore rationalising my lack of understanding and engagement by seeing them as pointless subjects.

My education was interesting. My dad was in the forces and we were for ever moving around and going to different school, sometimes it was just 6 weeks somewhere. So my education in maths never really took off. Everywhere we went the maths class was just doing what I had just done! and so I am excellent at fractions but anything else is a no no.
I would say cross country running was the one thing that was useless to me.

Callistemon indeed

I suppose diamonds, not pots, are a girl's best friend, maddyone

I think watching them work in the Wedgewood factory might just have raised a modicum of interest Callistemon although I can’t be sure to be honest. Now however, I would love a visit to watch them making Wedgewood. I enjoyed watching diamond cutters in Amsterdam when we went, that was incredibly interesting. Not sure I’d have been interested in that either though at seventeen.

My nearest to doing any pot throwing was going round the Wedgewood factory and watching them work, maddyone.

It's something I've often thought of doing but never got around to. I do like pottery and china.

Calculus. After the mock Maths exam, which I failed, I was relieved to be moved into a lower Maths set. I was never quite sure what it was and why I needed to know about it. I sailed through Lower Maths - this was Scotland in the '50s - and never needed to look at a Maths book again.

Algebra. Who needs it except certain professions?

Callistemon
I did pottery in the sixth form along with my A levels. We were required to take another ‘interest’ subject. I chose pottery because my best friend chose it. I hadn’t any interest in it, but worse, I couldn’t make pots for toffee. I remember learning about Josiah Wedgewood and not much else. I also remember going on a trip to look at pots somewhere, possibly a museum. I much preferred my chosen A level subjects.

pottery
Why did my school never offer anything remotely interesting like that?

RE I won the religious education prize every year for 7 years ,sideswiped religion as soon as I left school apart from for work situations ie.weddings .

Pottery. I failed the O level. I wasn’t surprised. I passed other subjects that were more relevant.

Trigonometry and algebra seem to have been a pointless waste of time, never needed to think about either of them since O levels.

I wish I'd paid much more attention in physics.

Everything else has been useful at some time, if only to a tiny degree, though only in personal life and never career-related.

PS I hated PE, which is a shame because it did put me off physical exercise for years.

I went to a very academic grammar school. I never learnt anything remotely practical and I can't say I've ever had any regrets.

I learnt about topics which I would never have encountered in my family life and have enriched my life.

Algebra hurdling,Long jump.well I suppose the later two would come in handy if you were being chased by a bull

Don't think I've ever needed Hooke's Law or anything else we did in Physics. I was scared of the Bunsen Burners.

MerylStreep
It's not that I didn't like sport - just horrible hockey.

A lot I learnt in Domestic Science has become outdated eg the correct order to wash your silver , glass, cutlery etc. If it doesn't go in a dishwasher I don't own it. We also learnt how to make beds pre fitted sheets and duvets, and making custard from scratch.
Other than that the maths and games lessons as already mentioned have not been used. Nor have I ever needed to dissect a frog!

Callistamon
Hockey-what was the point Well, it gave you the opportunity to get your own back on a few of the bitches. By accident of course ?
I loved it. And not just the accidents?

Things I’ve never found useful -
Italian Unification
Lists of Kings and Queens
And like other posters, trigonometry

Sines, cosines and tangents! ? My grammar school Maths teacher was one of those who only ever bothered with pupils who were talented in the subject and couldn't be arsed with helping those of us that struggled! Consequently, myself and many of my peers slipped further and further behind! I guess these days parents would challenge the teacher, back then there was no such opportunity; we were just cast as thick!

Some scientists, doctors chemists including industrial chemists, engineers, architects etc may disagree with you, 3nanny6!

As DH constantly reminds me 'Physics is a lovely subject'.

Hockey - what was the point?
I probably haven't used history although I'm more interested in it now, perhaps because it was made so boring at school.

I quite enjoyed Maths even algebra, but up until the last few weeks I have not had a need to use it (algebra that is). However my DD took one look at my DGS's set Maths work and said "Take it to Nana". So we have had several interesting and somewhat frustrating sessions together expanding and simplifying equations. I am not sure if he will ever use it except maybe with his own GC!

I am, however, developing a strong aversion to someone called Mr Hegarty, he rushes from one point to another without giving things a chance to sink in properly. I hope that is not the way they teach in school these days.

My rusty French skills are also being called to work at the moment. Last week some basic translation and learning to tell the time in French went quite well. This week the work is - research the life and achievements of Jean-Paul Gaultier - think of general international fashion labels - learn key words for clothes - design your own lock-down outfit and label it in French! Bearing in mind my GS is SEN and needs extra help on practically everything, heaven help us!

Never knew why we needed to do physics and chemistry in school it was boring. Also why did they make us vault over those silly horse vaults in P.E. lessons I fell going over it once and fractured my wrist and would never go over it again.