To wonder whether Boris and his cronies give Eton a bad name.

[Dustballs]

I wonder whether schools like this will be affected negatively as a result?

Unlikely, the people who send their kids there aren't generally motivated by whether the current Tory government has any scruples or competence. Gives a new meaning to the term Eton Mess, though. Shame it refers to something sweet and enjoyable, that's not right.

Why would they be? Surely the people who send their children to Eton mostly love the idea of elitism and the sense of self-importance that it creates. Thousands of people have no interest in going there precisely because of this.

Those who already thought Eton produced jumped up, incompetent, selfish and despicable twats will continue to hate it. Those who already carry the self-importance will disagree with the above summary and continue to use it and continue the procession of twats in power.

It has a bad name with me for the reasons it has a good name with others. No change.

I see your point.

I just wondered whether the tide might turn against public schools. Meaning, these "jumped up, incompetent, selfish and despicable twats" as you say might become less wanted/employable/required ... what is the word I am looking for. Marketable perhaps. Or desirable in an employable sense.

Public schools have a decent overseas cohort who won't give a shit about BJ.

In some cases, it's expected for kids to go to the public school that their father, grandfather... attended (family tradition)

I think the type of elitism and privilege Eton attracts is beginning to become less desirable across the board. People are starting to turn against the 1% and what it represents, and Eton is part of that history and maintaining that status quo. So I don't think your wrong about public schools falling out of favor.

It also shows that going to Eton and making the right connections can make you go far, even if you’re a lying, incoherent, inconsistent imbecile. Some parents want that for their children.

I did read a post here some months ago where a wife pointed out her husband had gone to Eton on a scholarship and afterwards was reluctant to ever mention being there. Precisely because he was not a self centred entitled knob.

@IamTomHanks

I think the type of elitism and privilege Eton attracts is beginning to become less desirable across the board. People are starting to turn against the 1% and what it represents, and Eton is part of that history and maintaining that status quo. So I don't think your wrong about public schools falling out of favor.

Boris has just won one of the biggest landslides we've seen in a general election.

I think that you're assuming a decent percentage of Etonians want to be PM where as in reality most will go on to be consultants, judges, QCs, CEOs....

I don’t think anybody (the majority) that sees Eton as full of “jumped up, incompetent, selfish and despicable twats" were ever considering sending their children there anyway.

They’re running the country. It’s like a promotional ad for Eton.

I hate Boris as much as the next person but his reputation affecting Eton???? That’s a big leap tbh. Do you have any idea how many boys go there...and what they end up doing?

Do you think Boris and co will damage the reputation of Oxford? Where they all went as well? Of course not.

Sorry Op I think its v naive to assume that a few useless politicians will damage Eton’s reputation. This public school threads are wild lol

To be fair Eton is one of the public schools doing the most to widen access and offer bursaries. Some people conflate the very few public schools with all private schools and they are very different beasts. The private sector has a huge range of schools.

@DappledThings

Why would they be? Surely the people who send their children to Eton mostly love the idea of elitism and the sense of self-importance that it creates. Thousands of people have no interest in going there precisely because of this.

Those who already thought Eton produced jumped up, incompetent, selfish and despicable twats will continue to hate it. Those who already carry the self-importance will disagree with the above summary and continue to use it and continue the procession of twats in power.

It has a bad name with me for the reasons it has a good name with others. No change.

Exactly. Eton buys you elite connections, regardless of your opinion of said elite. That's why people send their sons there. And a growing monied overseas contingent who aren't, frankly, that interested in UK politics, but are buying an internationally-recognised elite 'brand'.

I just wondered whether the tide might turn against public schools.

Let’s hope not. The state schools are stretched enough without adding all of the pupils from private/public schools joining them.

I would think Boris would be the best possible advert for the sort of parent who would send their kid to Eton. It doesn't matter how useless, thick and unprincipled your offspring are, you can still buy them success, money and power. Utterly vomitous, in my opinipon.

People are starting to turn against the 1% and what it represents Maybe, but with the steady increase in wealth inequality it's getting even more important to get your child into public school in order to get them into the "right" university.

It isn't about what happens to the bright child, it's what happens to the mediocre child. Do they find a niche through the contacts made at school, or do they end up in a minimum wage job for the rest of their lives?

I'm thinking of the way that the British Empire has become something now to be ashamed of ...

Slave owners used to have statues of themselves, streets named after them etc - now they're being pulled down and removed (rightfully).

Public schools may not be on the same level as the above - but the money and prestige has come from the same place. Their histories are joined.

We are trying to make society equal in a racial, gendered way. I hope in other ways too. I always hope society can become fairer for disabled people, but am not sure that that is yet happening ...

But this education divide is huge. It too needs to be sorted.

Just wondering if those that dismiss Eton or similar would refuse it if they could finance it?

@AriettyHomily

Just wondering if those that dismiss Eton or similar would refuse it if they could finance it?

Yes. I would.

Just wondering if those that dismiss Eton or similar would refuse it if they could finance it?

Yes I would. I wish all schools could have the resources, facilities and learning environments that schools like that have.

BUT - everything else stinks about it. Sorry. I tried put that more eloquently but couldn't.

It's already a red flag for me recruiting for entry level media positions. I need clever, team players from varied backgrounds to work with contributors.

Mr Johnson is not typical of those who went there. Do we think badly of the school Harold Shipman or Rose West went to?

If parents can afford it, and want to send their child to private school, what's wrong with that?

I certainly would, if I were in the privileged position of being able to afford it, question, on the back of Johnson and his cronies performance, whether it offered value for money in terms of the quality of education given. . .