Moving son out of Eton to attend Harrow instead

[Scrapthe11plus]

Asking on behalf of a friend... has anyone ever moved there son to Harrow after a year or two at EC?

Parent in question would like her son to be less Eddy Redmayne and more Benedict Cumberbatch, although I’m unclear as to whether each are typical products of their respective schools. She feels EC has rather failed to develop her son in to a well rounded man like Benedict Cumberbatch, and instead is encouraging her son’s academic success to the detriment of all else.

Given the fierce rivalry between the schools, are transfers between them rare? Surely parents can make an honest mistake in choosing the wrong type of public school for their children.

". . .obviously you wouldn't understand the fascination with Harrow, but you seem to have a fascination about Eton yourself, judging by your reliable appearance whenever the name is evoked."

My, my . . . Walkaround, one sentence but so many inaccuracies and controversies and yet tinged with truth and exposure.

One, I do understand the general public's fascination with Harrow - just that I feel sorry for them to try to compare Harrow with Eton on a par because there's really no comparison. At the end of the day, Harrow is nothing more than a wannabe Eton which most of you don't understand, not me.

Two, quite right that I've a fascination about Eton because this is a subject I know more than most and was, some might say, "heavily invested" in the best part of the last two decades.

Three, as regards my "reliable appearance", well, yes and no, it depends. Yes when myths and unfounded nonsense are written about the school and the chances are I'd make an appearance to dispel the untruths. Yes when people ask genuine questions about the school and I have answers. Yes when I think there are good aspects of the school that people might be interested to know. Judging by the amount of PMs that I get worldwide showing their appreciation, I'm encouraged.

No, I don't normally "appear" anywhere else throughout the vast spectrum of MumsNet because (a) I don't have the time (b) I don't know enough about the subject(s) - other than 'Medicine' and 'Super-selective' London grammar schools and (c) I don't have a strong enough opinion.

Again no, take this thread for example, specifically about Eton (and Harrow) and has exactly 100 postings other than your last posting directed at me. I only "made an appearance" right at the very end with a short one or two-line sentence and that's because I was being goaded. Therefore, another inaccuracy on your part.

As for prime ministerial leaders behaving irresponsibly, that's subjective and I guess would be another topic for discussion at a later date.

And finally, Four - how come you know that I "make a reliable appearance whenever the name [Eton] is evoked"?

peteneras - because I take an interest in education threads in particular, and Eton-related ones are the only place I see you (also because others on this thread have clearly noticed this, too, and you even made it obvious yourself that you assumed you were the "strange guy" being referred to when the Eton genie was evoked ). Plus, as I have already pointed out, but you sadly seem to have missed for some reason, you would have to be a fool not to take an intense interest in the institution .

Btw, your defences of the institution do a lot to reinforce people's negative stereotypes, but please do keep telling everyone how superior the institution is - it is entertaining to see you pop up and quite endearing.

House!

I win.

BINGO

Yeah they all dress like total twats though . I'd like to see them daahn the Stonebridge Park Estate of an evening.....

I've got to admit, Walkaround, I've just done a quick search on where you've been most active in your activities at MN and it's not on "education threads in particular" as you claim. I did that simply because I don't remember seeing you anywhere near education threads particularly Eton ones in the last 15 or so years. Not to worry though, as I perfectly understand your, and the world's, undivided and immense total interest in this undoubtedly the greatest school on earth. 😉

And, of course, you can always claim you've name changed etc which is just as bad as a denial and turn that around into a "Win" instead. For a start, there's no competition ongoing here and certainly no prizes to be won, not least a self-declared "victory". A denial speaks more about one than the imaginative, invisible and intangible "win".

If truth be known, I don't give a monkey's what people's negative stereotypes are about Eton. For that matter, neither would the great Berkshire school who'd come through thick and thin over almost six centuries to be what it is today. There will always be a great demand for this school worldwide to the ratio of almost 5:1 annually - including from the negative stereotypes!

Why? Because Excellence is the hallmark of this great school; anything from Academics to Uniform#; from Achievements to Zestfulness, etc.

Your husband wears on his biggest day - his Wedding Day.

Etonians wear everyday - Monday to Sunday! <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Grin" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/grin-D7Eg_B6y.png">

"I did that simply because I don't remember seeing you anywhere near education threads particularly Eton ones. . ."

But what I do see regularly appearing on Eton threads are losers comforting themselves with imaginary victories - people who have bugger all to contribute on such threads but making an appearance to make themselves look 'significant'.

To be honest, I thought maybe the BDE were the average grades achieved at A Level....

😂😂

Wow.

I've just looked up BDE and am PMSL. Buy him a small car when he's 17 like a Smart car and people will assume he has BDE compared to his sports car driving peers.

I just thought BDE were Prince Harry's A level grades out of Eton? So much an excellent education can do. Ah sorry, my wrong they were just BD, took only 2 A levels (or did he?). And was that before or after they tightened the entrance requirements? Perhaps just before. Or just after. Anyways, the prince has other very good attributes but he would not survive the academic entrance requirements today. Maybe Pete can enlighten us.

(I still don't have a clue what BDE means? )

My friend’s two sons went to Harrow and just both graduated in firsts in medicine from top universities, so academic standards can’t be all that bad.

Mind you, my daughter went to the local primary and then local comp and also just graduated with a first in sociology. . Thank fuck I’m not bazillions of pounds out of pocket on that one.
It seems to me that the benefits of private education are the circles in puts you in, which then enhance your career opportunities whether you are thick or bright. It’s who you know, innit?

Rockylady, much had been said over the years about the "less than mediocre" academic achievements of Prince Harry. I've never made a single comment about this aspect until now simply because I believe in democracy and people are entitled to their opinions. And since you've now asked me directly about this particular subject, I'll give you my honest opinion.

If my name was Harry Windsor and my dad is The Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne and therefore, monarch and Head of The Commonwealth, I doubt very much I would even graduate from prep school, never mind Eton and Sandhurst.

But why would I bother to burn the midnight oil punishing myself in the hope of getting a string of A*s and A's then go on to university to further spend years punishing myself so that I can get a First or something and come out getting a job when my dad is all of the above?

All the above is for life's losers and desperados! My future, comfort, income, health and safety, security, title - you name it - is guaranteed! Are you mad or am I mad? Are you stupid or am I stupid?

I am young only once and like everyone, I only have one life. So why wait and punish myself going through the mundane whilst I can start immediately?

So, far from being a dud and a thicko, I honestly think Harry Wales is far more intelligent than people give him credit for. Just look who's having the last laugh now? 😀 You don't graduate from Eton to enter Sandhurst if you're a dud. You don't graduate from Sandhurst to become a Major and to fly Apache helicopters - one of the world's most awesome and advanced flying machines - if you're a thicko. Some of you could hardly push a pram in the local High Street without hitting the lamp post or other street furniture or people. 🙄

"My friend’s two sons went to Harrow and just both graduated in firsts in medicine from top universities, so academic standards can’t be all that bad."

Graduated in firsts in medicine and from top universities? Now, you got me extremely curious and excited, dementedma! Which universities are these, may I ask?

No, let me make a guess - hmmm.. . . 🤔 The University of Harrow?

So how much you need to push yourself to improve your A levels from a D to a C, if you are smart?
Your post says it all. It's about values, Pete, it's about values. Not sure where yours are. You just do not do something because you do not need to or there is nothing in it for you.
Like I said, I like the prince, but he is just not made for long hours in front of books perhaps. Anyways, the chances that a dude prince enters Eton are now long gone (good timing too Eton).
And by the way you can learn to fly a helicopter like you learn to drive. And with a lot of tutoring too 😜
Mind you, I don't think he ever flied one in combat or as a proper job (unlike his brother).

Value is subjective, Rockylady. I've said so (or indicated) already above. Your values and mine can be a world apart. It doesn't mean I'm right or you're wrong or vice versa. No, I won't kill or punish myself for something I don't need especially when I've other priorities. About flying helicopters, I'm talking about Apache attack helicopters - not those you pay a fee and take lessons from your local flying club. You obviously don't grasp the fact that many qualified pilots in the Army/Air Force had failed to get a licence to fly an Apache.

@peteneras dont want to out them but I can assure you two different UK universities

Just what the world needs. More 'unapologetic & braying' men. We're really short on them.

What the world needs is someone who's realistic and talks sense and puts myths and nonsense firmly to bed like e.g. no universities in the world give out Firsts for a Medicine degree. You either pass or fail in a Medicine degree. Very rarely if you've performed extremely well throughout your entire 5 or 6 years Medicine course at university including an outstanding performance in your Finals, then you may be awarded with a 'Pass with Distinction' but over 90% of newly qualified doctors don't get it. On the other hand medical schools have no qualms failing you even by 1 mark in the very final exam after having passed the previous 5 or 6 years.

Pete you are digressing. And ignoring a lot of the points was making. About your beloved school. That says something. Your deflective tactics are all good (reminds me of some well known, now more powerful Etonian).
Re flying an Apache, it is all well to satisfy your needs but flying on mission is a completely different bird, in case you were not aware (can ask the brother).
I feel though I am following your lead talking about Apaches instead of what you do not want to talk about. How naive I am!

I'm afraid you lost me there, Rockylady. Far from digressing from the main issue, I'm instead addressing every single issue/point raised by all and sundry with evidence as far as possible - very much unlike the typical unsubstantiated one-liner 'hit and run' tactics which is common at MN.

You're the one digressing here - when I talked about flying the Apache which is an achievement no idiots can hope in a million years to achieve but successfully accomplished by an Eton-educated prince, you digressed by saying he did not fly in a combating role as though it's of any relevance.

Still sticking on the point re Eton vs Harrow, a poster suggested a couple of Harrow-educated brothers had achieved the non-existent "First" in medicine degrees which I called out as fictitious. If I had wanted to digress I'd have added that indeed my Eton-educated DS had achieved a 'Pass with Distinction' in a Medicine degree from one of the world's top medical schools in London.

So what else did I not want to talk about?

screw Bendict Cumberbatch

Well, if I must...

"BDE"= a cocky shit

Re read my posts please Pete? Just juggling with the children now so cannot type everything again. I would give you a D in comprehension though. Since you are smart, if you make a little effort (unlike the prince) you could improve the grade. Values are also about making an effort and not only to learn what you fancy exclusively (like flying an apache).

when I talked about flying the Apache which is an achievement no idiots can hope in a million years to achieve but successfully accomplished by an Eton-educated prince

I think you'll find that there are an awful lot of non-Eton educated people flying Apaches.

Mind you, I've just discovered that it costs £3 million to train someone to fly Apaches. Did no-one stop to wonder whether that was a good investment for someone who was never going to make it his career?