Giving a talk to State 6th Formers Next Month on Success

OP
Hand back your fee and get somebody who has the foggiest to make the speech

by starting your list with the over entitled son of a war criminal you show that you have no idea of how to pitch to an audience

I'd start with a list of local businesses. Then phone up and see if any of the Chairpersons/CFO etc are state educated. My boss is minted and hasn't got a GCSE to his name. Bloke can graft though.

My friends father is chairman of the local football club. State educated.

I know two doctors who are state educated.

I'd rather listen to any one of these people talk to kids about what state education did for them/can do for you than a person that thinks London oratory and Tiffin are regular comps.

Fuck me what planet are you on OP. Anyone else want to go to this talk to see just how far she can bomb?

Bunbaker-I'm glad she did as if she goes in and does what she suggests she will be a laughing stock at best. Drayton manor in Ealing has a lot of successful former students but not sure comparing school in a leafy suburb (although without issues) is the same as a deprived school in South London. Op you need to focus on getting grades or experience in a field you are interested in and working hard, etcetera. Not sure celebs are the way to go at all-focus on 'normal' people-fame is not always an indicator of success.

Maggie adarin pocock?

I went to a secondary in N Ldn late 90s/early 00s. There is an organisation called Future First which gets successful alumni from state schools to go back. Can you get in contact with them for examples? They use a broad scope eg doctors, entrepreneurs, actors etc

Im very proud to have known two girls who grew up in council housing on free school meals who did medicine. And another girl who made her own clothes, set up a market stall in chapel market and now has her own online fashion range and employees etc. Can the school or future first offer anything like that?

Failing that Wikipedia sometimes has examples of alumni!

I think the OP wishes she hadn't posted on here now.

"Bog standard comprehensive" is not being a snob. It's a fact, reality, call it what you will. The vast majority of children have access to ordinary, not all that special, comprehensives. They certainly don't have access to an education which is masquerading as a state education (because it's free at the point of delivery) but which in fact is hugely selective and gives them a massive advantage in life.

Helen Sharman, state school educated at a bog standard comprehensive with an intake from a large council estate and was the first British woman in space.

David Beckham - son of a hair dresser and kitchen fitter, again from an ordinary comprehensive.

Jamal Edwards - has a broadcasting company which he started on YouTube with his videos of free styling London rappers, filmed on a video camera which he got for Christmas. Now a multi millionaire.

Gerard Jones - founded a football school at uni and became Arsenal's youngest ever director of football.

Jo Brand is from Wandsworth.
Really need some down with the kids types, though, some famous you-tuber, pop artist or somebody on EastEnders.

I think Jessie J went to a state school in North London.

Is this a joke?

True, I don't know why you'd bring private school into it at all.

Any kid in a comp like this and from this sort of background isn't going to know anyone at private. Private school won't be on their radar.

So why bring it up, when all they'll get from it is "you know how hard it all looks after school? Well guess what - there are a million privately educated kids out there who will statistically do better than you!"

Can't you keep your focus on how to get on in life and achieve, without making it a public/private debate?

Clearly not very much given the state school examples!

"what you snobbishly call bog standard comps"

That isn't being snobbish. It is reality. OK, let's call it an average comprehensive school then.

Your children go to independent schools - Old Palace/Croydon High, Trinity/Whitgift? So how much do you know about the reality of state schools these days?

Xena warrior princess

I want these kids to know that they can be whatever they want to be.

This just isn't true though. There are many hard-working, enthusiastic students who want to do medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry, but can't quite get the high grades required. I don't think it's right to tell kids this, whatever school they go to.

What do you mean by successful? I'm not household name famous, but I am successful in that I am well qualified, employed in my chosen field, happy and solvent.
Why don't you look at the wiki pages/websites for various schools and see who is on their famous alumni lists. Euan Blair and Rafe Spall had a bit of head start!

My old school - Pimlico - has a number of professional footballers on their alumni list.

It is very kind of you to give up your time and try to help these kids but I'm not at all sure that the message will get through in the best way.
Did your brief mention this state school focus? I'm concerned that the kids will go into this talk thinking that most of the country is eductated in the state sector and leave thinking it's some big disability but don't worry- they can overcome it because the world is their oyster. I think it could backfire.
Can you focus on a diverse range of successful former students? The vast majority of your audience will not be going on X Factor and be put into the new JLS.

Xenia is still here. This isn't her current name. And she's intelligent, even if you don't agree with her views. She would never say "quite literally your oyster". Never.

I get it!

The OP is Xenia under a name change. That explains it

I agree with indomitable.

If this is genuine (and from what you've posted I hope it's not)..... how about changing your definition of success. Is it really rich and famous or going to oxbridge. Or could it be being happy in your own skin, or starting your own business, or contributing to the community. Maybe get then to think about what they think of as successful and how they can get there.
Concentrating on the privileged offspring of the rich and famous seems a wasted opportunity.

What - best advice so far!

Ye gods
Those kids in a state school bit beneath you are they Madam
You're just taking the piss

I can't tell if this is a piss take or not

If you want to inspire teens they have to relate to what you are telling them. You are telling them that the very best which 99% of them won't be , who went to extremely good state schools that 100% of them DONT go to who, no doubt, had supportive parents which a lot won't have made it big!! Whoop de do, that's really going to strike home with them. You might as well just show them a few episodes of Britains Got Talent.

You would be far better to bring in some recent past students from their school who have done well. 'Done well' can and should include a wide range of outcomes not just Oxbridge etc.

If you genuinely care about this issue then the best thing would be to decline the invitation.

A really nice example of what Fiona Bruce said when she went back to her school.