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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Gina and Oxford PPE

290 replies

Possiblynotever · 27/06/2021 10:48

My DD is in year 12. She is currently thinking about a History degree and her State school is (heavily) pushing her towards Oxbridge and a double honours. She is giving her best and her results are very good, so she probably will have the marks (although this is no guarantee). She chose a Maths A level and she is finding it hard - she reached an A but with a lot of sweating which in my mind is quite normal. She has decided not to do anything at Uni requiring further maths. Apparently, some of her classmates are amazing, especially those who want to apply for PPE at Oxford, which seems to be the achievement of all achievements. Those who get in are the best of the best, at least in my DD mind. Now, Gina Colandangelo gained an Oxford PPE which means she must have been bloody talented. The only thing she will ever be remembered for was snugging the Health Minister in his office.
What a waste. Why? AIBU in thinking that there is still a cohort of women who work bloody hard to get into the most difficult jobs and then just sit on their achievements? And why do they do this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Possiblynotever · 27/06/2021 21:39

@FeelTheRush

OP - what are your qualifications and how do you get to judge this?! This is such a shitty thread. I bet you’re working 9-3pm doing admin on a industrial estate just outside of town.
No. I have a great interesting job, I just was not educated in this country, so I truly do not understand the system. Thank you for the judgement.
OP posts:
Jahebejrjr · 27/06/2021 21:42

Private school pupils are disproportionately represented at Oxbridge though @Bryonyshcmyony

TableFlowerss · 27/06/2021 21:42

To add- My innately intelligent DC has been predicted A*s at GCSE. Never in a million years could I have achieved this, not her dad!

It just comes naturally to DC. They work hard but don’t go over and above and I’m as much help as a chocolate fire guard. These are the children, from working class backgrounds, that should be given opportunities to go to the top unis. They’ve had no privilege, they are just naturally bright.

To add- DC has no interests in politics so highly unlikely they’d apply, but the point remains, these children are the truly academic ones.

TableFlowerss · 27/06/2021 21:43

not his dad

Original poster
Possiblynotever · 27/06/2021 21:44

@DingleyDel

Dh went to Oxford a number of years ago but less time ago than Hancock and Coladangelo and I have to say those reading PPE then were the wealthiest of the wealthiest and the most public school of the public school. Had no idea it was meant to be something more prestigious than any other degree from oxbridge.
Ok, so there is a lot of privilege in the sense that most PPE students come from public schools and this is why my DD's friends are so incredibly focused and determined. They truly do not come from wealthy backgrounds.
OP posts:
TableFlowerss · 27/06/2021 21:44

nor goodness sake lol

PeterPickledPepper · 27/06/2021 21:44

The system seems to be one of cronyism op.

Suffolkpunch345 · 27/06/2021 21:47

@pastabest

I'm quite impressed you have managed to combine a stealth boast with a bitch/gossip about someone in the news AND a query about her mothering choices.

That's some serious mumsnetting skill level achieved.

Why are you so bothered by her? Her achievements (or lack of in your view Hmm) have absolutely no bearing on the choices available to your daughter whatsoever.

This
TableFlowerss · 27/06/2021 21:47

@Bryonyshcmyony

Not all private school kids who apply get in. How do you explain that?
They are probably average ability children, that have gained top grades, due to their elite education.

When it comes to the crunch whether it be at interview etc they don’t meet the requirement.

Redlorryellow · 27/06/2021 21:49

Like some other posters, I have an Oxford degree and I haven’t done anything particularly earth shaking, I’m in a lower middle management role in a big corporate and tbh I’m not remotely career driven. I enjoy my family, writing, travel and stuff like that. It’s by no means a ticket to riches even if I was career driven anyway… I know very few high profile or super rich people from my cohort and I’m in my 30s. So are you really going to be disappointed if your dd doesn’t end up climbing some career ladder with her degree? Also, you might ask why Hancock, supposedly such a clever man with degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge, had a poorly disguised affair with a colleague when he had a wife and kids at home.

Original poster
Possiblynotever · 27/06/2021 21:50

@MyShoelaceIsUndone

Academic qualifications doesn’t make you immune to love. Maybe Gina loves Matt..it shouldn’t have happened because he’s married
Frankly, I really do not care about their affair nor I feel I can judge....it is something for them and their spouses. I am sorry for their children who will see that clip over and over again. I agree that the two may love each other but surely there are better ways ( and places) for their love to be manifested
OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 27/06/2021 21:51

Private schools don't cheat. If their students get top grades, they've earned them. Yes the teaching is more effective in smaller groups and can be more individually targeted.

Original poster
Possiblynotever · 27/06/2021 21:53

I am not questioning her mothering choices which I do not know.
I am questioning her decision to go and work as a consultant for her lover, as she seemed to have plenty of other opportunities ( or, as some point out, maybe not)

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 27/06/2021 21:53

@DingleyDel

Dh went to Oxford a number of years ago but less time ago than Hancock and Coladangelo and I have to say those reading PPE then were the wealthiest of the wealthiest and the most public school of the public school. Had no idea it was meant to be something more prestigious than any other degree from oxbridge.
Pish. That wasn’t the case when I was there. And it’s not more prestigious. It’s just famous because the number of universities you can study PPE at is pretty small - I think 3 or 4 when I was applying.
Bryonyshcmyony · 27/06/2021 21:54

They also have longer days and Saturday school plus lots of holiday homework so they seem to work through the curriculum more quickly. State schools should have longer days IMO

RickiTarr · 27/06/2021 21:55

@RoyalMush

I bet you’re working 9-3pm doing admin on a industrial estate just outside of town.

^ That’s an awful thing to say if you think that that’s a put-down.
I’m embarrassed for you.

Much though there has been some complete nonsense on this thread, I agree that is a special kind of nasty stupidity. Or stupid nastiness.
TableFlowerss · 27/06/2021 21:55

@Bryonyshcmyony

Private schools don't cheat. If their students get top grades, they've earned them. Yes the teaching is more effective in smaller groups and can be more individually targeted.
No one suggested they cheat.

You don’t pay £15k per year to get F’s. The education is far superior at a private school, from class size, facilities, pupil teacher ratio, extra curricular activities.

What you’ve got to ask yourself is, would said child come out with such top grades had they attended the local state comp? The answer to that is highly likely not!

LittleBearPad · 27/06/2021 21:55

@Possiblynotever

I am not questioning her mothering choices which I do not know. I am questioning her decision to go and work as a consultant for her lover, as she seemed to have plenty of other opportunities ( or, as some point out, maybe not)
She was paid £15k for 15 days work a year. Clearly there were other requirements in this instance but at face value being a Non Executive Director at the DofHSC on £1k a day doesn’t suggest you’ve wasted your education.
Bryonyshcmyony · 27/06/2021 21:56

@Possiblynotever

I am not questioning her mothering choices which I do not know. I am questioning her decision to go and work as a consultant for her lover, as she seemed to have plenty of other opportunities ( or, as some point out, maybe not)
She is working as an influential political consultant. Not sure why that's not good enough for you. Her dodgy relationship choices don't have anything to do with her degree Confused
tempester28 · 27/06/2021 21:57

Sadly I say I wouldn't bother with a History degree.

Bryonyshcmyony · 27/06/2021 21:58

What you’ve got to ask yourself is, would said child come out with such top grades had they attended the local state comp? The answer to that is highly likely not!

Why do you have to ask yourself that? I never give it a second thought.

LittleBearPad · 27/06/2021 22:00

What you’ve got to ask yourself is, would said child come out with such top grades had they attended the local state comp? The answer to that is highly likely not!

That ascribes all academic success purely to a school which isn’t reasonable.

dotdotdotdash · 27/06/2021 22:02

@Bryonyshcmyony

What you’ve got to ask yourself is, would said child come out with such top grades had they attended the local state comp? The answer to that is highly likely not!

Why do you have to ask yourself that? I never give it a second thought.

What do you mean when you say you don't give it a second thought?
GnomeOrMistAndIceGuy · 27/06/2021 22:02

I'm quite impressed you have managed to combine a stealth boast with a bitch/gossip about someone in the news AND a query about her mothering choices.
THIS in spades

RickiTarr · 27/06/2021 22:03

@TableFlowerss

To add- My innately intelligent DC has been predicted A*s at GCSE. Never in a million years could I have achieved this, not her dad!

It just comes naturally to DC. They work hard but don’t go over and above and I’m as much help as a chocolate fire guard. These are the children, from working class backgrounds, that should be given opportunities to go to the top unis. They’ve had no privilege, they are just naturally bright.

To add- DC has no interests in politics so highly unlikely they’d apply, but the point remains, these children are the truly academic ones.

If she is outstandingly clever, then she should redouble her efforts at A-level, read around her intended subject and apply for Oxbridge. Make use, firstly, of the summer schools etc they lay on to widen participation.

It is complete and utter bollocks that the game is loaded in favour of the public school applicants in any ways other than the obvious things (they’re confident, they’re coached, they apply in large numbers).

Any youngster from an ordinary background who can get an interview is in with as good a chance as the next applicant. They are absolutely desperate for more state school, minority and working class applicants. The interviewing tutors are quite capable of spotting outstanding academic potential and that is all they’re interested in.

You do your DD no favours by assuming she doesn’t have that opportunity. She does.

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