thoughts about being in a minority at school

[brianeno]

I am an on and off poster, have changed my name to protect my anonimity. Ds might go to a school where he is in a minority, wondered what your thoughs were on this. I did not think it would worry me, but as it gets closer to school time.... We are white, I am European, dp is from Downunder. We are a mixture of working/middle class I guess.

so are you worried about it now? And what exactly worries you about it? Are you worried about your ds being in a racial minority or in a class minority?

Sorry, it's hard to comment/give advice with so little information.

This was discussed here Thread

The thing that would concern me would be how many children had english as another language. If it was high then a lot of time might be focused on that rather than other stuff.

What is worrying you exactly, brianeno? My children are white British and attend a school where white children are in the minority. They are enjoying themselves, learning well and making friends. If you can say what your concerns are specifically I'll see if I can reassure you.

If you are concerned that a high proportion of children will have English as a second or other language, young children can learn extremely quickly with no extra input; at least the ones in my dd's nursery and reception classes have!

I was one of just a handful of English people at a Scottish school and I hated it. Scottish people are openly intolerant of English people (even the teachers) and the English are seen as fair game for some reason. I was deeply ashamed of being English and felt isolated and lonely. I developed a complete personality change in order to fit in with my peers which meant my speaking a different language at home from the one at school. This led to difficulties working out who the real me was when I left home and moved back down south.

Sorry, but you did ask.

Sorry, have not read the other thread in full, will look later. I am mainly concerned about my ds being in a racial minority. Would other non-white kids play with him, invite him out, will he only befriend white kids, etc.
Having said this, I went to a secondary school in London in the 80s and had a great time, all my mates were non-white and working class and that was fine, so I guess I should not worry...
Being with kids who speak English as a 2nd language does not worry me; I came to London at 14 and within 2 years I had a GCSE in English (grade C, but still...) I think kids learn English very very quickly.
But I am concerned that he might be left out of social things.