New Statesman article on schools

[UnquietDad]

very interesting

Shows how the perception of state schools is skewed in the media, sometimes deliberately, by journalists and writers anxious to reinforce their own "choice".

(Who are all these writers who send their children private? None I know can afford it...)

I got irritated when he tried to suggest he paid VAT to the Gov.

Drosophilia, I would put him into the category of know-it-all head teacher. This species is not confined to the independent sector by any means, but they arguably cluster in some parts of it. Particularly those without a PGCE or Qualified Teacher Status, or similar training.

While I'm not prepared to say "I'm only a Science teacher; I wish my parents/teachers had had more ambition for me as I might have done more with my life." - I do have some sympathy with Anna's point. I teach in a national challenge school and my educational backgound of Russell Group degree and PhD is not representative of the staff there. And I think I do have rather higher aspirations (and expectations) for my brighter students than they do for themselves or other teachers have for them. I don't see their backgound as being a disadvantage for them. In fact, at the risk of sounding like my MIL, I wonder whether it is in fact an advantage. But as their teacher, those aspirations relate to their educational choices and academic confidence, rather than their actual career choices. I want them to put themselves in a position where they can choose.