Which became an independent fee paying grammar school in 1976 while he was there. Facts, eh?

Makes you angry though apparently.
You know what they say about truth!
He really wants to be a tory though I bet Matthew.

What a silly comment. If he wanted to be a Tory he would be one. Why did you bet Matthew, is that someone to whom you really want to give money?

If you were in before it went fee paying you were paid for, end of. Happened to me too

You're obviously right in saying that; I just saw an opportunity to have a go at Watson. He made an almighty error, and as far as I know he's never uttered a word of contrition or apology. I didn't know Corbyn had nominated him for an honour, but I've thought for years that that whole system stinks anyway.

Massively middle class. Just like most people including Keir Starmer. Nowt wrong with that. What annoys me is when the Labour Party bangs on and on about we are here for the Working Class. A whole 14% of British society.

I took my 11+ at Ashburton Juniors if that makes you feel better though.

Edited by Mapletree (08 Apr 2020 5.39pm)

Who is that 14% made up of?

I’m surprised there’s only 14% considered working class households, although there will be however many non working households.

Some jobs may require staff to put on a £120 suit but it’s modern day working class imo, if you’re looking at it in respect or pay. You then get scaffolders on more than managers in advertising etc. You can’t carry on in some physical jobs for ever and neither can you in advertising but you can in some. Accountancy, law. Qualified professions that don’t rely on age, new ideas as much as occupations with no barriers to entry such as exams.

Edited by Rudi Hedman (09 Apr 2020 11.14am)

COYP

Had an interesting discussion with my Daughter about schooling. She is at a good University (in the top 10 nationwide and top 5 for her particular degree course and yes I am inordainately proud of her for getting there) and amongst her floormates (10 or so), only her and one other girl went to a state comprehensive with the rest attending either private or ultra-selective grammar/religious schools.

Now her school was not a bad one and it is, as I understand how these things work, the top non-selective state school in the borough. She had a good time there and suffered nothing bad but she is amazed at how all the others she now lives with, apart from the other girl who attended a similar school to her in a different part of the country, express a real sense of affection about their schooling. A bond almost that she struggles to get her head around.

She went to her school, worked and played hard and achieved what she set out to do. But she feels no particular affinity to it now. Not quite indifference but neither does she have any sense of identity from being there.

A huge difference in mindset is how she put it.

Never really thought about schooling in those terms before. And that is where the state comprehensive system is so badly served. Functionality above all else.

Now my kid is bright. No point beating around the bush about it and comes from a supportive family and would do well in any environment. I say that without boastfulness, just stating it as fact. But for kids who do struggle with the books? Or lack her natural competetive spirit?

Socialism destroyed our Grammer school system purely for purposes of ideology. And as per usual, it was those who could least afford to be the playthings of Left-wing scum who pay the price.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

You dont remember you bet with Matthew Kelly then.
As for being a silly comment that's your opinion the same as it was mine to say it. If you look at politics the centre left is very close to the centre right and starmer is centre left. Nearly a tory.
I went to trash burton senior school. Left just before it came bottom in a report uk wide. I was there when we did the rowntree festival ad. Not so much as a chocolate for my fame.
I remember mr Barlow (loved his stocks and shares)
Mrs dennison (looked dirty even to me back then)
Mr tufnell (the gay head master)
Mr Jones the PE boss (or mr angry as my mate found out on day one)
And poor adrian tassy RIP.
My long term memory is spot on but short term I'm a bit lax. That must be normal

Fair play to her. Sounds as though she’ll do well in life.
I don’t envy the young now: when I was at school there was no expectation of going to university, I don’t remember it even being mentioned so there wasn’t that pressure and jobs were available anyway.
In any case everyone I knew was expected to start earning to bring some money into the house. A lot of kids left at Easter before the exams knowing they didn’t need any qualifications.