The great British School swap..

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

Any one watching this?? Finding it really interesting so far.

And one girl had only been to the cinema recently for the first time!

That mum bless her, just no filter there at all.

I just don't get how these people think. That mum said she wouldn't feel ashamed to be friends with a Muslim, but it just wouldn't even occur to me that anyone might be ashamed

Even the teacher is nervous

think this episode was better, it didn’t go after the shock factor as much. It explored issues more

Even the teacher is nervous

She said it's because she's 'never taught a Muslim' before. WTH? How can she think teaching a Muslim is any different to teaching any other kid? 🤷‍♀️

Exactly. This attitude seems to be ingrained in everyone there

Episode 2 still was all religion vs skin colour. Being 'white' is not a specific life style. You can't compare the two because being white and following a Christian life is different from being white and not being any particular religion etc.
Not being allowed to have boyfriends or going to the cinema isn't really because of being Muslim. I know people who are Christian who would choose those rules for their teenage children.
I am still very suprised and shocked by the attitudes and knowledge of those in Tamworth.
As a white Midlander person I actually feel very very embarrassed and ashamed and found the Tamworth people cringy.

It very much reveals how being kept within your own area and surrounded by people who think and behave similarly to you. It just fosters stereotypes and blinkered thinking.

The kids for Saltley referring to Tamworth as 'posh' as the drive through it is one example (that relates neither to religion or cultural). Posh because there's green space a semi-detached houses and suburban compared to the inner-city.

Bring in children from another area in Birmingham and they won't see it as posh.

It's astonishing to see the ignorance from both sides. However, for me there was far less willingness from the Muslims to accept the " British way of life"
Where as the ignorant Tamworth folk up to yet have changed their opinions etc

Tamworth is very much a white, working class area.
Alum Rock where some of this was filmed is very much an Asian community.
I have experienced both areas first hand having grown up in the West Midlands.
Around 6 months ago I was scanning at a clinic in alum rock and was called a white slut from a passing car and spat at by a patient who didn't want a woman scanning him. ( I'm a sonographer)

Maybe an Asian in Tamworth might have negative experiences there as I did in alum rock.
I think segregation will always remain all over Britain sadly.

That's so shocking

spat at by a patient who didn't want a woman scanning him. ( I'm a sonographer)

That's disgusting. What happened to this man, I hope he was thrown out?

I found it interesting and I've challenged the use of 'half caste' and 'coloured' in classrooms and been told by the mixed race child that she's OK with it.

I've taught in areas of Birmingham where I was the only white person in the room and other areas that are totally white.

These are, IMHO, fairly standard teenagers.

I would love to introduce both groups to some students I taught a couple of years age. They were Kosovan, so white and Muslim and don't wear hijab.

That would totally confuse them, it confused one of my colleagues who is Muslim of Pakistani descent.

ghostyslovesheets

Are the families still in touch?

I'm surprised at how many parents greet their teenager at the door when they get home from school!

Blimey, the drama teacher seems a bit out of her depth, to put it kindly.

Sashh - the Tamworth parents have a group chat and I know all the kids from both school also do - we are trying to find a date to meet up with the Saltly parents at present. I'm not sure if any parents are in contact with their 'paired' families.

I haven't met up with anyone since filming except at the screening - which they did separately (I would have liked it to be done jointly).

Regarding the teacher - I would say again that you need to be mindful of the editing - it is very very heavily edited (not always fairly in my view) - you don't really see the true reflection of how things were.

Anyone watching? Watching on plus one.

Can't believe that girl Kiran saying she didn't used to like gay people and didn't want to stay in the same room as them

And the man in the street saying he doesn't like Muslims and they should just go but oh he's not racist!!

i watched on +1.

Ghostyslovesheets was your dd's speech screened this evening? I remember you saying a couple of weeks ago that she made a v. good speech.

Yes that man in the street was stupid shocking.

No sadly her speech wasn’t shown

I know the programme was edited for effect, but what a delightful bunch of children. And the parents too. Not only to allow their kids to take part, but to be open to the new experiences themselves. I hope the friendships continue.

I did have a laugh when the blonde girl was trying on clothes and the two muslim girls encouraged her to go for the more revealing outfit! Living vicariously!!

Yes, very much so!