Tim Hands' article in the Telegraph (Clegg again!)

[testbunny]

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/9842367/Yes-Nick-Clegg-only-money-will-get-your-boy-a-good-school.-How-sad-is-that.html

At the same time as deriding Clegg's hypocrisy, he seems to back him up...

Is Mr Hands biased towards privately educated children??

Discuss

I think it's what footballers wives wear.

Here's a helpfully tagged photo of Mrs. Wayne Rooney. coolspotters.com/clothing/juicy-couture-classic-velour-tracksuit/photos_videos/895000

I think what ronaldo says about the pervading pop culture, is interesting.

I recently met up with two old friends who had not been back to the UK for some time. Both commented (independently) that the culture has not only changed since last they were here, but that it is extraordinarily dominant.

This thread is too black and white...... there is a wide range of parents at private schools and a wide range of schools ...some worse than state ...some much better ....where did Jordan and Colleen choose send their DCs? ... at the poshest Tatleresque prep schools you will find a smattering of the type mentioned above .. ...most non selective prep schools will take if they can pay and are not likely to disrupt...be it footballers wives or Russian Oligarchs ...with aspirations, if not for them, but for their DCS, that money does buy both education and class..

I forgot to mention Jade!!

I agree Amber, and why should they not attend. The point being made, I think, is that the kind of popular culture we associate with some of the names you mention (rightly or wrongly) will not dominate the culture of the school. It's fair to say though, that all schools are affected by the cultural changes commented on by Wordfactory's friends.

agree...the reasons why they choose those schools is likely because it is the antitheses to the culture they were raised in...but you are going to find more of that type at teh posh schools than the highly selective academic ones...and they probably would not dream of entering them to a high performing state school like Tiffin or Reading grammar because it does not have enough social kudos..

I don't understand why you think 'pop culture' and itmohe current values affect state sector children more than children who attend private school.

If you were referring to my last post Ubik ..I don't. I think you misread it!

So when mum gets out of her white BMW 4X4, flicks her highlights, checks her fake tan in the mirror and wiggles down the road in her sunglasses and juicy couture tracksuit, to drop little Chardonnay at private school, she is not imbued with 'chav culture'?

Never see any of those in the school I teach at ( independent). I doubt any such parent would fit in well or for long.

Whilst it is stereotypic of me a child with a name like Chardonney is more likely to be in a state school in my experience - and usually trouble. If such a DC did make it into our school I would imagine it would not be long before she got herself invited for a long chat in the HT's office and an invitation to find another school as soon as possible.

I don't understand why you think 'pop culture' and itmohe current values affect state sector children more than children who attend private school

Because ime it tends to. Its just statement of an observation. I have worked in state and independent schools. State schools are dominated by the ethos of this behaviour. On the other hand, often independent schools see little of it or what they do see is knocked out of the DC quickly as they fit into the way we work. Also, many parents send their DC to schools like that I work in precisely because they want to get their DC away from the worst influences and get them a chance to experience something different.

No, sorry Amber.

We do not have any Chardonnays, Jades, Waynes or similar in my school at all as it happens.

The DC tend to be called Helen, Elizabeth Rachel, Caroline. Boys are Harry, James, Andrew, George etc. The more traditional neams dominate.

We did have a Skye and a Storm a couple of years ago ( and they were friends) I said did have, they decided they didnt like our school and left for the local state school.

RonladoI can tell you that the children at one if the most famous upmarket and selective coed boarding schools in the UK have a very wide variety of names not just restricted to William, and Kate. In fact I'm often surprised how untraditional the names are.
"If such a DC (named Chardoney) did make it into our school I would imagine it would not be long before she got herself invited for a long chat in the HT's office and an invitation to find another school as soon as possible."
How insulting and patronising I would rather send my DC to a Steiner school than send my DC's to a school who judges them on their name.

happygardening- we have some untraditional names but none like Chardonney. Maybe I should say the names are less cheap looking.