So there we were, in a nice quiet exhibition of ancient manuscripts, when in comes a class from an East-End primary school with barely a white English child among them...

[frogs]

...and they were the most delightful group of children I have encountered, possibly ever. It was the SACRED exhibition at the BL, with loads of ancient religious books from Christianity, Judaism and Islam, very low lighting, and packed (it closes next week) with educated upper-middle class oldies (the demographic dh and his colleagues call "Silver Scholars"). You get the picture.

There was a bit of an initial shudder when a classful of kids piled into this rarefied setup, but they were just so fab -- interested, enthusiastic, polite, working beautifully on the tasks they'd been set, that quite a lot of the visitors stopped looking at the exhibits and watched the kids instead. We go to quite a lot of exhibitions, and encounter a lot of school groups, state and private, and it's rare to encounter a class you think is so great that you wish your own child could join.

I just wanted to share the warm fuzzy feeling, really, and offer it up as an antidote to some other threads.

I didn't realise the thread title was referencing anothe thread.

I agree with NP-- perhaps we have to agree to disagree.

NP, are there really no circumstances in which it is not right to shudder when children enter the room? I can think of a few!

cant anyone anymore share something off the cuff without having it put thru the pc police first? i "shudder" when gangs off kids enter anywhere, you expect disruption.the op was just pointing out if no white faces, in london probably from a deprived area and unfortunately expectations of these children isnt very high, for various reasons.

I hope frogs does write to the school or phone them.
The BL, venue for this particular exhibition, is not often visited by parties of schoolchildren full stop, and despite best efforts by staff, is seen by large numbers of its clientele as the preserve only of the silent and scholarly. So from a professional perspective, I'm really pleased to hear about a primary school party having such an enthusiastic and enjoyable time in a Manuscripts exhibition.
I remember some sharp intakes of breath from readers when we took ds and dd to see the Mappa Mundi at Hereford Cathedral. It's always a pleasure to see children unintimidated and engaged in these particularly quiet and learned environments.

how lovely.
i hope you do write to the school frogs. they would like it.

LOLOL, this could be one of my favourite threads for veering off. (Reminds me of the one where I asked if anyone had a recommendation for an entertainer for a children's party and got a good kicking for being a lazy cow who couldn't be bothered to entertain my own children at a party).

Frogs - I would deffo write to the school. In my experience people who don't often get positive feedback adore it. I have had fulsome thanks for my thanks from both the management of the local shopping centre and management of Waterloo station recently (both had done something unexpectedly useful/helpful). I am currently on a mission to respond positively to things like this. .

I think that is lovely Frogs and I hope you do make contact with the school to compliment them.

Adn FWIW, I think you did make it clear in both your title and your OP that yuo weren't making judgements - except against the previous/DM type thinking. Your description of "white English" to my reading, was showing that you didn't assume because they weren't white, they weren't English. Lots of double negatives there, but you know what I mean!

It's a lovely idea to write to the school.

I have to add that your title made me feel very unconfortable. The premise is so typically stereotypical.......

Frogs
I get that this was a dig at the 'but my child is the only white face' type threads. Perhaps it is a 'private eye....John Stewart... Brass Eye' fans kind of thing? But just wanted to let you know I and many others get it.

Do people just WANT to get their knickers in a twist here?

Yes, they came out in force in their long shoes to give me a kicking!