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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that going comprehensive is an exit from the middle class?

400 replies

VolvoMo · 17/05/2012 14:28

There may be a few minor exceptions (due to wealth or ideology) but doesn't going comp take away your middle class badge and worse, give your kids the chance to carry a big chip on their shoulder for their adult life.

OP posts:
StrandedBear · 17/05/2012 15:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GnomeDePlume · 17/05/2012 15:10

Am I the only one who read the OP and had to re-read having assumed it was about insurance?

Now I know I is both thick and common!

VolvoMo · 17/05/2012 15:10

Well, I certainly haven't been imagining the "chippiness" if the these comments are anything to go by. I don't have anything against the WC (well, except your tatoos - which are indeed a visible badge!) or the LMC. But I don't see any middle class responses, so I think my original question has been answered!

OP posts:
FioFio · 17/05/2012 15:11

I thought only 9% of children were privately educated???

sugarice · 17/05/2012 15:11

Gnome Grin Grin

FioFio · 17/05/2012 15:11

sorry saw earlier post, it#'s 7%

swearytramp · 17/05/2012 15:13

No such thing as grammar schools round our way. You either go to the nearest comprehensive (or village college) or 'go priv-it'

VolvoMo · 17/05/2012 15:13

Gnome, you've made me laugh. Very funny. Grin

OP posts:
GnomeDePlume · 17/05/2012 15:15

I had images of the nice people from Volvo coming round and taking the badge off the car if you decided to go 3rd party!

sugarice · 17/05/2012 15:17

A serious question Volvo, would you lose friends and your lifestyle change drastically if a secondary school education for your children was inevitable?

motherinferior · 17/05/2012 15:18

VolvoMo, you are showing an incredible lack of awareness of the nuances of the English (note English, I only know about England, not the other three nations) class system. Arguably, it is impeccably middle-class to be the kind of lefty who espouses comprehensive education.

mummytime · 17/05/2012 15:19

Well in this part of the affluent SE there are plenty of middle class kids at the local comps. In fact girls from a local private accused my DD of being posh for being there, as either you live in the nice area and go to the comp, or you live somewhere not as nice and afford the private schools. There are even quite posh people at the Comp, including several ex-prep school kids. The sixth form is even posher!

VolvoMo · 17/05/2012 15:19

Sugarice - No we wouldn't lose any, but we wouldn't gain many either. I assure you people are that judgemental. Well deep down we all know that, don't we.

OP posts:
nickelbabe · 17/05/2012 15:21

comprehensive - all children get an equal chance at life regardless of their social status

KellyElly · 17/05/2012 15:21

Is this a joke???

molschambers · 17/05/2012 15:22

I'm really not sure there is a class system in Scotland (possible exception of Edinburgh but that may be my west coast bias!) There are just ordinary folk, ordinary folk that have "done well for themselves" and a few jakey's that we all feel a bit sorry for.

I find it all a bit odd tbh.

MiseryBusiness · 17/05/2012 15:22

People with attitudes like Volvo make me laugh. I honestly dont know how people can go through life so closed off from the world inside their upper middle class bubble.

Hopefully one day they'll realise there is so much more to life.

Emphaticmaybe · 17/05/2012 15:23

I'm not convinced OP is serious, but here goes.

I'm of a working-class, state comp background, but my education and life-style would make people identify me as middle-class.

My children are at a 'real' comprehensive school, with a large proportion of doctors, consultants and uni lecturer's kids as well as trades people, blue-collar workers and benefit supported families. This is what comprehensive should mean - all inclusive.

However my children are very definitely middle class, ( due to their life-style and privileges it would be laughable to suggest anything else.) While private school is less likely for those from a working class background, ( because of all the usual inequalities), the state system, despite what some people choose to believe, is full of children who are, and will remain part of the middle-classes.

These children also have the advantage, in my view, of gaining insights into the lives of children from other socio-economic backgrounds, very helpful if you want to reduce divisions in society. Why would this give children a 'chip'? If anything my children feel their academic successes have been achieved in a fairer environment, ( possibly tougher) and if anything this gives them the edge over their privately educated peers.

DamselInDisgrace · 17/05/2012 15:23

It's ironic that the title talks about the middle classes, but the OP doesn't include the lower- or middle-middle classes.

Aboutlastnight · 17/05/2012 15:23

Nice one op!

Really, kudos to you.

thebody · 17/05/2012 15:23

You need to get new people then love. Your friends all sound like you. Silly, shallow and childish.

Concentrate on teaching your children the value of people not status or money.

Emphaticmaybe · 17/05/2012 15:24

I'm not convinced OP is serious, but here goes.

I'm of a working-class, state comp background, but my education and life-style would make people identify me as middle-class.

My children are at a 'real' comprehensive school, with a large proportion of doctors, consultants and uni lecturer's kids as well as trades people, blue-collar workers and benefit supported families. This is what comprehensive should mean - all inclusive.

However my children are very definitely middle class, ( due to their life-style and privileges it would be laughable to suggest anything else.) While private school is less likely for those from a working class background, ( because of all the usual inequalities), the state system, despite what some people choose to believe, is full of children who are, and will remain part of the middle-classes.

These children also have the advantage, in my view, of gaining insights into the lives of children from other socio-economic backgrounds, very helpful if you want to reduce divisions in society. Why would this give children a 'chip'? If anything my children feel their academic successes have been achieved in a fairer environment, ( possibly tougher) and if anything this gives them the edge over their privately educated peers.

Bramshott · 17/05/2012 15:24

You do know that 93% of children in the UK go to state school don't you?!

GrahamTribe · 17/05/2012 15:24

Well you have guts OP, I'll say that for you. Grin

I need to know this now - if your logic applies then does the reverse? Does this mean that by sending a child to independent school they and the parents are by definition middle class?

MiseryBusiness · 17/05/2012 15:25

Oh dear Lord, you say ''I assure you people are that judgemental.''

No fucking shit they are Hmm

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