11 Plus Exams Forum

There is a programme on later this week in which Andrew Neill looks at the education background of our politicians and asking whether it is now harder for people, not from a privately educated background, to get into politics. There was an article in the TV pages about it and it listed the prime ministers since the 50s - half of which went to a grammar school.

I just thought it was interesting.....

I noticed this article too..... apparently the next generation of politicians (already walking the corridors of parliament) are even more skewed towards ex-independent school attendees.

I am sure this is because there are fewer grammar schools now though. In the 1920's there was less than 2% of pupils privately educated and the figures rose substantially as grammar schools declined.

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Posh and Posher Why Public School Boys Run Britain on BBC Two on Wednesday at 2100

Am off to set the record box now, sounds good, thanks for the tip.

I wonder if we'll see Flamenco's son!

Both myself and OH sat watching this programme, very interesting. Would be very good to see more GS, doubt that will ever happen though

Interesting programme with some horrifying stats.
Seems to me that for academic selection not to be a dirty word - it needs to be more than a one off event at age 11.The Labour party have abandoned grammars long ago because the spectre of children, academic in potential, forced into non academic environments looms large. Going back a few decades, children who "failed" the 11+ were in many cases consigned to a third rate education.
It is clear that with 66% of the Tory led coalition being indep educated( when only 7% of the whole population are) and 3/4 of the cabinet being millionaires - it has all swung back to a position of little or no social mobility.(Yes.... 5 of the shadow cabinet Oxbridge but 4 of those state school educated)
So returning to my original statement - could there not be selective schools which selected at 11 and then an intake at year 9 and even truly selective sixth form colleges. My objection to the 11+ system is that it operates as a form of social selection because it is a one off event prepped for from infancy in some cases.A fairer system of academic selection - with more than one opportunity for entry would allay the fears of a secondary modern system.The test itself needs to be fairer and less predictable and therefore less monopolised by the wealthy.
It cannot be good for the country for it to be returning to being entirely ruled by a rich, narrow elite.

Little rant over

Chelmsford mum wrote: It is clear that with 66% of the Tory led coalition being indep educated( when only 7% of the whole population are)

Its 18% of the ppn in 6th form CM The 7% is to create more sensationalism.

sherry_d wrote:Its 18% of the ppn in 6th form CM The 7% is to create more sensationalism.

Hmmmmm I'm not sure if sixth form alone counts as indep educated.Seems the state has done the most in these cases.
Too tired to argue though.You will have to carry on without me. - gnite