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.

Agree with @Tonnerre. You would not be allowed to learn to fly an Apache knowing that at best you would do it for a few years. Never mind learn just because you want to. Not to mention did not go on missions. Only if you are an Eton educated prince. So much for the privilege of spending £3m of taxpayers money to no real useful end.

"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."

Ha Ha!

I'm grinning because I need a grading from a "teacher" who thinks the past tense of 'fly' is flied like I need a cauliflower-shaped wart in my nose!

New teacher:
Present tense: fly
Past tense: flew
Past participle: flown

A 'U' grade for grammar summarily dismissed from here. Keep to childcare instead! 😃

Apologies if I used the wrong terminology pete . I am only repeating the term used by the proud parents (both RG graduates) who recently attended both graduations. They must mean passes with distinction. I stand corrected, but can assure you they are real Old Harrovians, whether you like it or not

Oh Sorry Pete and thanks for the correction. Now to real content, still dodging the bullets? Or can't keep up?

No need to apologise, dementedma, and it's not for me "to like it or not" as I don't know any of these people. What is for me to say though, is I'm happy for the boys and their obviously proud parents if it's all true. Happy also for the nation to produce so many home grown excellent doctors to add to the desperately needed medical staff of the NHS. And of course, happy for you and your DD for gaining a First in her sociology degree. Congratulations!

Sorry, Rockylady, but I don't know what you're talking about re "dodging bullets". As far as I'm concerned, I don't dodge anything in life but instead, always take the bull by the horn. Must also say, at times I don't waste my energy on responding to nonsense or to teach my dog how to do algebra.

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

This!

Happy Sunday Pete. You are still fun but not sure you are making Eton a favour given the present and very public evidence these days. If you get the printed Sunday paper this morn, have a look at some comprehension practice books showing in your local shop, it may be enlightening to try to understand and listen what other people have to say. Not a skill much on offer today, unfortunately.

All this talk about Eton and Harrow, what's wrong with a comprehensive? I've seen much more rounded people come from there, and depending on the place, there's a lot of braying going on

The only old Harovian i have known ( shared an office with him) was an alcoholic and sadly took his own life. he silver spoon effect doesn't last for everyone.

It suits people to imply that all those coming out of Eton Harrow et al are “unapologetic and braying” and those from comprehensives are beautifully rounded. I have extensive experience of both, personally and professionally. I’ve met charming delightful well rounded boys and girls from both sectors, braying and unapologetic from both sectors and also totally unrounded dysfunctional from both.
I stand and fall by the view that’s it’s all about parents, bombastic hideous parents usually produce bombastic hideous parents.

I’ve also worked with alcoholics again come from all backgrounds etc and it’s unlikely to be school related.

It is a bit weird how often Eton gets mentioned when selective or independent education is discussed.

What does this song mean @peteneras?

Sup up your beer and collect your fags
There's a row going on down near slough
Get out your mat and pray to the west
I'll get out mine and pray for myself
Thought you were smart when you took them on
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest
What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?
Hello-hurrah, what a nice day, for the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, I hope rain stops play, with the Eton rifles
Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse
Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes
Compose a revolutionary symphony
Then went to bed with a charming young thing
Hello-hurrah, cheers then mate, its the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, an extremist scrape, with the Eton rifles
What a catalyst you turned out to be
Loaded the guns then you run off home for your tea
Left me standing, like a guilty (naughty) schoolboy
We came out of it naturally the worst
Beaten and bloody and I was sick down my shirt
We were no match for their untamed wit
Though some of the lads said they'll be back next week
Hello-hurrah, there's a price to pay, to the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague, to the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, there's a price to pay, to the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague, to the Eton rifles

Not sure what it means to Pete,Im sure he can answer for himself if he wants to,but to me it means that the royalties earned helped the lead singer of the band to send his children to private school and it helped the bass player to afford the fees to Eton for his son..

"...but to me it means that the royalties earned helped the lead singer of the band to send his children to private school and it helped the bass player to afford the fees to Eton for his son.."

Re The Eton Riffles @nolanscrack, around that time there was indeed a very famous rock star from working class background who later sent their child to Eton. Can anyone tell me who that was?

Personally, I don't care too much about The Jam and their 'Eton Riffles' lyrics, GoFiguire but is that you have a way to draw me out onto these Eton threads even though sometimes I thought I'd give it a miss after all these years. Anyway, I can always pretend I'm figuring about you here with these words (which is more my cup of tea in music lyrics) can't I? .

Bryan Ferry?

'Unapologetic and braying' - puts me in mind if the revolting vicar in Poldark. I'd definitely want a child like that!
What a life your 'friend' must have to have to decide between these two schools, and to be able to shape her child's personality by moving him from one establishment to the other. Poor child

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3673286/Paul-Weller-changing-man.html

All Paul Weller's children were indeed educated privately.

Very romantic Pete, nice song.

Thank you, Rockylady. Am glad you like the song. I may well be serenading to you too - this time with printed words and 😍

That's right, nolanscrack. Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music sent his second son to Eton. But unfortunately, he was suspended later over some misdemeanour.

Which reminds me (not very proud here) that DS was living very dangerously in his first year there and was on the verge of being suspended together with his mate (oppidan) from prep school for being "involved" in a similar misdemeanour. An apology to the "victim" - which was accepted - followed by an agreement to be "gated" for a defined period, i.e. confined to his room after school hours, soon brought the matter to a close. (But I was reliably given to understand the Head Master has no powers to suspend a King's Scholar(s); they are the King's scholars, not the Head Master's - and therefore, only the King, represented today by the Provost, can do the suspension).

riffles ?