As Woody Allen said - Those who can’t do teach. And those who can’t teach, teach gym.

I have a medal for my school goalkeeping somewhere.

PE teacher didn't like me though, he was a nasty piece of work.

What I said was that the Oxford dictionary gives one definition of jealous as envious. It quotes your example (concerning God) as another definition. So for what it's worth, your horror at the first one isn't shared by the Oxford dictionary compilers. Still, it's always heartening for an old fogey like me to find someone who cares about the correct use of words.

socialism destroyed quality education cos it abolished grammar schools ?-utter cr*p! - the affection felt by some kids to their 'posh' schools is partly down to snobbery engendered by their families and the fact that their schools had fewer bullying toe rags and people had to behave cos it was hurting someone financially if they didn't - I went to a state grammar run by priests (10% of the staff inc head master) and it was sh*te - it's the bureaucracy, the fudge, lack of imagination and lack of belief in state education itself which is the problem, Kier Starmer is all in favour of the private choice, as historically have nearly all the labour front bench, if there was any conviction to get the same levels of creative thinking and subject expertise that attracts people to the independent sector into the public sector things might improve, the real enemy are things like academies trusts which filter money to a load of cynical suits and keep hard working staff's wages lower than they should be - another private/public hybrid gravy train.

To be fair, Matov said 'Socialism destroyed our Grammer school system purely for purposes of ideology'.

He's right of course, it was for ideology.

Socialism wants a purely comprehensive system, because it's obsessed with equality, which in its pure form is the opposite of meritocracy.

I remain conflicted on this subject. For me, in most situations, meritocracy must always win.

However, there are problems within social mobility systems that don't end up delivering any significant social mobility....they did far better at the start.

I think a renewed grammar school system could work....but I wouldn't trust the left with them because the left are responsible for the state of education as it is.

As far as I'm aware grammar schools like the one in Wisbech I went to still exist. And they have a certain amount of scholarships for those less able to afford fees don't they?
The scholarships are highly competitive, therefore, a mixture of meritocracy and privelege. The system is smaller than it was but the best grammar schools still exist - in true market forces fashion.

Apologies, I asked Mr Google for assistance and he told me that Keir Starmer appears on the Independent Reigate Grammar School's Alumni, I therefore assumed that at some time he had attended the said establishment.

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

? Please explain. You accused me of not using facts, what is wrong with my above statement? I know you think I am pretty stupid but I honestly want to know what you mean

? Please explain. You accused me of not using facts, what is wrong with my above statement? I know you think I am pretty stupid but I honestly want to know what you mean