The only practical lessons we had at senior school was 1 term of needlework when we were in UIII, aged 11. It was more important to learn Latin as it is a highly academic school!!!
We had to make a dress with a collar, sleeves and pockets. I still remember going to John Lewis on Oxford Street with my Mum to buy the pattern and material - I felt very grown up. But there was still an expectation we would be good needlewomen without any more training and we were expected to produce hand-knitted or sewn children's clothes to be displayed on Founder's Day every year before they were given to children's charities. I can't see any of the girls I teach now doing that - even 14 year olds seem to have very little idea about how to sew on a button - or make a bed when we stay overnight at hostels on school trips! I have always been thankful that organisations like Guides meant I had to learn skills like that and that I had a mother and grandmothers who had the time and patience to teach me.