Changes to 11-plus to stop middle-class parents 'buying' access to grammars by hiring tutors

[breadandbutterfly]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2241411/Changes-11-plus-stop-parents-buying-access-selective-schools-hiring-tutors-children.html

Similar article in the Times apparently but paywall.

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, Ronaldo. I've had a "famous" classical composer stay the night, my family have mixed with "famous" people. Why would their staying the night be a matter of more note in school than anyone else staying the night? Why would I feel the need to tell people who was sleeping in my parents' house, anyway? That would be as vulgar as telling everyone that a famous popstar or footballer dropped by to say hello, wouldn't it?!

Thank you for your definition of SUCCESS. Another question - what will happen if your ds fails to attain that? How will he feel, when you obviously have such strong expectations. Note I didn't say high expectations - a lot of people have those.

And how will he network with normal people when he works?
He wont because those who he works with will be like him. He will know how to "manage" the others - effortlessly. Thats the difference.

But Ronaldo - you aren't fooling anyone that you are better than them. It's only worth thinking you are better than others if they believe it too.

He's only 6 years old and you have his life mapped out for him. Sometimes dc don't follow what their parents expect of them.

Tidler - he wont fail. It will not be allowed. Even if he isnt as good as your FC, his background will give him the advantage that you so clearly do not realise is there.

Teah - I am looking for Xenia too! Come and back me up girl!

Sometimes it's important to allow our children to be their own people too.

I don't think Xenia is a girl.

Abandon the 11+. Just take them all on a survival course, and let the most socially aggressive and feral children have the places, then?

of course xenia is a 'girl'

though she is only interested in independents

mn does have quite a warped view of comps imo, so i tend to rely on real life experienced of them rather on here which is vv middle class

though i don't understand why some places have grammars and some don;t

Really? I thought she was a woman.

At least Ronaldo is being honest about his reasoning behind wanting a private education for his child - the grooming of a ruling class. You have to believe you can rule others effortlessly and deserve to be in that position to go ahead and do it. It doesn't pay, after all, to have too much understanding of the real impact of everything you do, or you'd never go ahead and do it. In other words, it helps to understand little, but feel you know a lot.

Oh bless.

Not often I am left speechless but that comment just makes me feel very sad.

Am tempted to write my views but I don't see the point. I would just say good luck to your son.

rabbitstew - it seems to me that just everyone knows all the famous people. Of course they do. I dont want to offend but I think too many on MN edut their life storiies. When I said I was cambridge educated once , suddenly all MN ers were similarly educated. One had a first in PPE ( well mines maths but hey!) and everyone has a first.

Forgive me if I think you are over egging it now.

Absolutely right, Ronaldo. It is only you on mumsnet who is bilingual, knows famous people, goes to the ballet, has a study and has been to Cambridge. You naughty, naughty other mumsnetters making up stuff that simply must be a lie.

I've been waiting ages to find out what is so exceptional about Ronaldo's
home life- I have rarely been so disappointed in my life! Apart from the golf, Canada and the bilingual bit, he has just described my family life! And substitute Canada for Spain ( a posh bit , obviously) and he exactly describes my brother's life!

The only issue in question is who you view to be "famous"... Would I have heard of your lovely wife?

FWIW I don't think my children are better than your son. Am really not sure why you would think something like that.

I come back and we're on P7 - few people seem to have read the linky in my OP though and noticed the article refers to KENT only - so very relevant to those such as Seeker, who have experienced the Kent system, and I thought might be interested to hear of potential improvements. Not currently directly applicable to the rest of the country, though, unless it gets rolled out more widely.

"Ronaldo" - not clear why you have name-changed in order to post clearly as your alter-ego from previous threads, but I wish you would go away and stop cluttering up an interesting discussion with delusional fantasies about your poor DS, and about state school pupils. I have no interest at all in your son's amazing intellectual prowess or your own (clearly demonstrated by your astonishing grasp of apostrophes), or your supposed social superiority, but wish you would start your own threads to discuss them. Oh, and Xenia is no more a 'girl' than you are a 'boy'.

To return to topic, Durham/CEM do offer 11+ exams to schools that they claim are untutorable for. The reality is, sadly, not the case - the same papers are reused, as well,in different areas of the country, which lead (in the modern internet age) to obvious opportunities for cheating.

(Talking to Ronaldo, there, of course - he of the multi talented, musician wife who now stays at home to look after their gifted son).

Absolutely right, Ronaldo. It is only you on mumsnet who is bilingual, knows famous people, goes to the ballet, has a study and has been to Cambridge. You naughty, naughty other mumsnetters making up stuff that simply must be a lie

No, biut it is not usualy for the vast majority of those who go to bog standard comprehnsives either. That I do know.

Lets face it, this is the internet and everyone wants to be right.

Like they say on the internet,
men are men, women are men and 9 year old girls are FBI agents. Thats nearer reality.