to think Mr Gove and his wife

[taratamara]

.. should send their child to a normal as in not ultra-hard-to-get-into-i.e-selective-but -free state school before they start preaching to other people about how terrible private schools are

[Finickynotfussy]

YANBU

[VivaLeBeaver]

Yanbu. I'd like to see the twats send their dd to a 40% gcse pass rate school.

[DangoDays]

Is it ultra hard to get into? Aren't there places for church goers, catchment places and those on language places at gcg. Seems easier to get a place than some of the primary church schools in westminster...

[mummymeister]

YABU OP. you are expecting the great and powerful Gove to have to manage like we mere mortals do. we need a MNetter who is also a teacher at this school to tell us when he takes them out for a term time holiday. that would be worth its weight in gold imo. I love it when politicians do this "see we are just ordinary like you" Tony Bleurgh did it with his kids.

[Gillg57]

I rarely (more than likely never) have a good word to say about Gove and the decision to send his daughter to a state school is no doubt cynical and politically motivated. But presumably Greycoat applied their comprehensive academy school admissions policy fairly and in the same way it would to any other application. What would have been interesting is where they would have chosen had the application been rejected :)

[DangoDays]

Yes interesting gillg57. Why not Pimlico - John Nash's school?

[Gillg57]

Why not Pimlico indeed DanjoDays. I believe the Labour politician Jack Straw sent his children there.

[DangoDays]

Yes. Apparently pimlico has knowledge based curriculum that he is a big fan of so a surprise he hasn't wanted this for his own child...instead he's chosen a school that isn't a reflection of a political trend/whim.

[Bue]

I don't see any problem with Greycoat. It has a huge catchment area and a very diverse population of girls. Just because he is education minister doesn't mean he has to seek out a sink school to make a point.

[Bue]

And I generally can't stand Gove, btw.

[ravenAK]

I just have heartfelt sympathy for next year's Year Seven tutor team, who will currently be drawing straws...bad enough a few years ago when I ended up with our Deputy Head's dd (who to be fair, was a delightful girl...).

[lljkk]

yanbu

[SomethingkindaOod]

I think politicians' children should be excluded from political point scoring by law tbh. That goes for everyone. The Goves should keep shut about it as should everybody else. This girl is a minor and is unable to defend herself or her parents for their choice of school. They're parents, they send their children to the best school they can. Nobody in their right mind whether left wing right wing or who gives a toss would send their children to a failing or substandard school by choice just to be popular!

[iamsoannoyed]

I agree with SomethingkindaOod

I couldn't really care where they send their child. It's not really any of my business.

I should imagine Greycoats had to apply their admissions policy, and the child got in- so presumably they have not been treated differently from the other families who live in the catchment area and want to send their children there?

Or should they have sought out the worst school available to make some kind of (very stupid) point?

[Piscivorus]

He is entitled to send his daughter wherever he wants, just as any of us can. I presume their decision is based on what they think is best for their child, as an individual, rather than on any ideology.

[LizzieVereker]

Someone MARRIED him? (faints).

(Revives a bit) I spose he can send his child where he wants. (Sulks)

[TippiShagpile]

It's a selective single sex school. Hard to see the difference between that and a private school. Except that they won't be getting a bill for it 3x a year.

Nice to see Sarah Vine slagging off private school kids this week. I'm sure her kids will be a million miles away from that.

[TippiShagpile]

Of course they can send their kids where they like. But please would they stop being so effing worthy about it, as if it's a failing inner city school.

[bigTillyMint]

Yes Lizzie! Sarah Vine

[5OBalesofHay]

Like them both, why the vitriol? Is greycoats not s good school then?

[diabolo]

I vote Tory, have no problem with Gove, but those comments by Mrs Gove are some of the most hypocritical I've ever had the misfortune of reading. It's like she's trying desperately to endear herself to the masses by bashing private schools, when we all know the Goves would have chosen a private school had Dad not been Education Secretary.

[meditrina]

Well, as his constituencies outside M25 (and clearly family home/schooling not taking place there) his London home must be near the HofP, then Greycoats is the nearest state school admitting girls.

[diabolo]

I've no problem with their chosen school, just with the self- congratulating, pompous and hypocritical crap his wife seems to have written in the last couple of days.

I don't for one minute think she believes any if what she's written, it has only been said to try and win voters over.

Bloody politicians are all the same.

[bigTillyMint]

Well, it will be interesting to see whether she got in on faith/language aptitude/proximity.

[bigTillyMint]

Ah, just found this

"my daughter and son are at a faith school and it's a great school - over-subscribed, with great methods, great head and socially comprehensive intake." from his MN webchat!

I guess that answers the question.