Eton

Independent Schools as an alternative to Grammar

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za1
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:07 pm

Eton

Post by za1 »

Just as a matter of interest - somone stated at the beginning that these schools base admission on brains not family standing etc??

Lol.......I can think of a handful of candidates that are not overly loaded in the brains department and managed to get in to one of these schools....Harry and William Edward, Andrew and Charlie......

Edward, I heard, secured even managed to get into Cambridge with grade D's.

These schools are very elitist and based on wealth and family standing to a large degree......the local grammars are far better schools and not full of pompous, spoilt, idiotic brats.
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

...well seeing as you know it all, what are you doing in this section? By the way Charlie and Andrew went to Gordonstoun (very low ability intake). Personally I'd rather meet some of these so-called spoilt brats (you must have went to an independent to be able to have developed such a strong view) at an independent than someone as snobby and self-righteous at a grammar school - as you seem to be. :roll:

P.S. Zal is clearly the exception to the vast majority on this forum and thankfully GS are filled with parents who are just trying to do the best for their kids and don't have a huge chip on their shoulders.
Ed's mum
Posts: 3310
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:47 am
Location: Warwickshire.

Post by Ed's mum »

Surely it is a mixture of both with independent schools...??
They need money from families as that is what keeps these institutions running. They need children with reasonable intelligence to gain good results in league tables. They need famous people, or children of famous people, for supposed snob value - which independent institution is likely to turn a prince away?
Ed's mum
Posts: 3310
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:47 am
Location: Warwickshire.

Post by Ed's mum »

the local grammars are far better schools and not full of pompous, spoilt, idiotic brats.
How polite you are! What sort of school did you attend to have developed such a chip on your shoulder?
I wish you could meet my son and his school friends. They are down to earth and work hard to be where they are. I take exception to your sweeping comments which have condemned the whole independent sector.
Incidentally, most parents work hard to be able to send their children to his school too - they scrimp and save to provide an independent education for their children, whilst still paying their taxes which, in part, go towards state schools.
I would not dream about commenting on children like you have. Most of these schools also expect the children to spend considerable time doing charity work for the community - they certainly do a lot of that at Rugby.
Please feel free to fully inform yourself before you comment -you have, doubtlessly, intended to be controversial.
KES Parent

Re: Eton

Post by KES Parent »

za1 wrote:Lol.......I can think of a handful of candidates that are not overly loaded in the brains department and managed to get in to one of these schools....Harry and William Edward, Andrew and Charlie......

Edward, I heard, secured even managed to get into Cambridge with grade D's.

These schools are very elitist and based on wealth and family standing to a large degree......the local grammars are far better schools and not full of pompous, spoilt, idiotic brats.
At least Prince Edward revealed his A level grades, which weren't actually as bad as they sound - these days 2 Ds would probably be equivalent to maybe 2 Bs and a C, as A levels were much harder then. Our former socialist prime minister Tony Blair got a place at Oxford, and has taken out an injunction against his school (Fettes College) ever revealing what his A level grades were. Prince William got ABC in his A levels, which doesn't sound too bad to me. Prince Harry I understand was allowed into Eton as a special case because having lost his mother so tragically it was felt that he should be with his brother at schol. Before Princess Diana died they had been considering Radley College for him, which is a school which takes a wide range of ability and does very well by all its pupils.

I am not related to any of these people, but I don't see why anyone should resent any of them except T Blair.
T.i.p.s.y

Re: Eton

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

KES Parent wrote:I am not related to any of these people, but I don't see why anyone should resent any of them except T Blair.
:lol:

Don't be modest KES Parent, we all know you come from good stock! :wink:
KES Parent

Re: Eton

Post by KES Parent »

T.i.p.s.y wrote:
KES Parent wrote:I am not related to any of these people, but I don't see why anyone should resent any of them except T Blair.
:lol:

Don't be modest KES Parent, we all know you come from good stock! :wink:
Yaah, you're certainly right there Tipsy! :lol:
za1
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:07 pm

Post by za1 »

Oops......

I take it I have offended some people. I will hold my hand up and admit that my email was badly worded and aimed at a small minority of wealthy people with spoilt, low-ability kids forced to attend well known independent schools.

So I will apologise to any offence caused and will take your criticisms on the chin :-)

I honestly did not mean any offence....I have no chip on my shoulder and realise that we all went the best for our kids...


Yours sheepishly

Za1
za1
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:07 pm

Eton

Post by za1 »

I'm still holding my spade so I'll carry on digging and admit that I have applied to two of the best independent schools in Birmingham should my son fail to get a grammar place......

Sorry once again.... :oops:
Ed's mum
Posts: 3310
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:47 am
Location: Warwickshire.

Post by Ed's mum »

:mrgreen:
Forgiven! What are you like???
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