alfredmizen
Banned
- Mar 11, 2015
- 6,342
Spot on.
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Grammer schools.
- Thread starter Leekbrookgull
- Start date
Spot on.
alfredmizen
Banned
- Mar 11, 2015
- 6,342
We got the last one right.
If you haven't figured it out I enjoy being peculiar and feel enlightened to do so--I will not say I'm a Scientologist any longer because I have never belonged or given money to that so called "church."
BBassic
I changed this.
- Jul 28, 2011
- 12,310
I've always found success in life, work, whatever to be much more down to your willingness to put the effort in than your education.
I'm from working class roots, I went through school happily enough and one year of college before deciding formal education isn't for me and I went out to work at 17. I'm 31 now, working, what I consider, a better paid job than most of my university educated friends and own my own home.
Sounds like a not so subtle brag (and I guess it is), but my point is that you can do well in life regardless of your circumstance if you're prepared to work hard.
I'm from working class roots, I went through school happily enough and one year of college before deciding formal education isn't for me and I went out to work at 17. I'm 31 now, working, what I consider, a better paid job than most of my university educated friends and own my own home.
Sounds like a not so subtle brag (and I guess it is), but my point is that you can do well in life regardless of your circumstance if you're prepared to work hard.
- Jan 3, 2012
- 16,582
Oh no we didn't...........
Swiftly followed, for no particular reason but in pantomome mode, by "Behind you!"
Completely with you on the first two paragraphs - bumbled through primary school and comprehensive secondary, followed by (failed) bad -choice A levels because it was what I was 'expected' to do being in the top stream for O levels. I'd rather have got a trade at the time. Parents both left school at 15 and were clueless/no help. Only a decent careers officer and fate stopped me ending up in a dead-end job. The irony for me is that the industry I'm in is very much OBN and I've been asked loads of times which Uni I went to (and it's the kind of question that the person asking it hoping to feel superior because they went to a better Uni).
They closed my local grammar school the year I was due to go there (we'd taken the 11+).
Collingburnian
New member
I went to a rural Grammar School in the late forties/early fifties and have never regretted the education I received there. I come from a very working class background and going to that school helped me avoid going in to a totally dead end job. There was no parental help as both parents and all their siblings had little formal education. There was nothing wrong with what is now called an elitist education. What was wrong was the totally crap alternative of the secondary modern schools in those days, where kids just attended until the age of 15 and were then thrown onto the unskilled jobs market unless they could get into a technical college, which really no longer exist. Bring back grammar schools but also geive a decent alternative to those who don't get through the selection process.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,795
I went to a Grammar School (boys only) from 1st Form to Upper 6th. The whole experience was marred by sadistic, bullying "Masters" I did, however, get a very good education because you had no option other than to learn or suffer the consequences. A levels then were all on final exams, no account taken of course work. I still have nightmares where I'm turning up for an exam only to find I'd revised the wrong subject.
- Jan 3, 2012
- 16,582
You are talking about your own situation over 60 years ago, before I was born, and I'm a Grandfather.
I DO strongly agree with the idea of good provision for everyone, but think that the best way to achieve that is not by turning the clock back.
You went to Varndean didn't you? Talking about the Mad Axeman by any chance?
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,302
so it sounds like the policy is to allow grammar schools where there is parental demand for them, but no wholesale change to endorse or promote them. in a world of academies and free schools, why not allow selective schools (the only defining feature of grammars)?
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,795
You got it
Lawro's Lip
New member
That will be interesting as, by definition, 75% of parents will find that their child goes to a non grammar school. Parental choice is not what you get with selection. When Margaret Thatcher became education secretary in 1970 she knew that polling evidence in her Finchley constituency showed 80% in favour of scrapping grammar schools.Hence she did not reverse the Labour government's 1965 decision to turn them into comprehensive schools.
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nicko31
Well-known member
The Tories have already divided the nation once this year and they are at it again, and seem quite serious about it.
You'd think they'd have enough on their plate without trying to take the Education system back to the 1950's...
You'd think they'd have enough on their plate without trying to take the Education system back to the 1950's...
Neville's Breakfast
Well-known member
I don't think they are looking to take the system back to the 1950s. It seems more of an extension of the Blairite fragmentation of state education. In the context of free schools, religious schools , academies etc the Grammar school proposal probably fits as it's just another different entry requirement. You either have a system of comprehensives admitting pupils solely on geography or you have the current system. Seems churlish to allow selection on religion but not ability. Perhaps we need to get rid of both ?
