To wonder why being bright seems to be frowned upon?

[OhFlippityBolax]

Back in the dark ages of my time at primary school, you had to hide the fact you were bright and often had to 'play dumb' to fit in with other kids.

I'm noticing this with my own dc. They're very academic, arty children but again they almost have to 'hide' it and one has even asked the teacher outright to stop calling on them in class to answer questions because the other kids rib them so much in the playground about their general knowledge.

Also watching this programme on channel 5 about the huge primary school, the poor girl being picked on for being studious

Is it universal? Is it something you've seen at school? Why is it we are so anti academic kids?

I wasn't bullied so much for intelligence I went to secondary school which was a decent state all girls school and I was in the top set But there was low level snobbery in that set because I was from a council estate etc. That carried on to university as my degree was full of hoorays who loved to mock my scummy accent.

Basically I just couldn't win!