chosen on channel 4 now

[Heathcliffscathy]

4 public school boys talking about their abuse at the hands of teachers....

they are SO brave!

I do think thought that these schools are very different places now, the state school I taught in last was a very violent abusive school during the 60s and 70s.

let's hope so

The way that the boys wanted to protect their own parents from the scandal...god !

I have to say that although dd was not going to board at her tender age I was very impressed by the clearly happy and settled children when we visited the school we considered. We had lots of friends who sent their children there and they were also very happy.

heart wrenching

I know ggirlsbells and that one of them felt he was to blame for future children that were abused.

I found this almost unbearable to watch and yet couldn't tear myself away - it moved me to tears several times.

DP and both said the large chap looked familiar - I'm glad ggirlsbells remembered him from Grand Designs (IIRC he was a bit of a 'difficult' character in Grand Designs, but who can be surprised with having so many issues to deal with).

The worst part was Alastair's father choosing to leave him at the school, presumably because they couldn't face the shame of removing him from a top public school (or his older brother who was also abused, it later transpired).

This was awful, and while I'm sure things have changed to an extent at private schools there were certain things that rang very true of our own experience (with the dcs)- the fact that the school is ultimately a business or a brand and that therefore there are risks such teachers will be quietly "let go" without a fuss.

And the fact that only one of the teachers was prosecuted, and only served 12 months for the abuse of two boys? Draw your own conclusions about the judicial system.

alistair was so moving it felt good to hear men talking about it not something you see often

the other bloke ( with the ears) really broke my heart - saying he was on the path to recovery - i just kept thinking 'well i hope so ' a lot of his life had passed by

not being able to see oneslef as a victim until 30 years later was poignant i thought

as a european national it never ceases to amaze me how people over here view private schools. it is snob value at the cost of their children.......why can't these parents buy themselves a bigger car and perhaps a huge diamond if they feel the need to flash their wealth? i have yet to meet an adult coming out of the private sector who will say 'i had a great and happy childhood'!!! Parents who insist 'my child loves it' are insane....which child would 'choose' to be seperated from its family?????
The disturbing fact remains, that there was also a very recent case at Caldicott prep school.......the school stayed as usual silent, no mention of any of this in its 'press-section'......it is disgusting!!
However, look at their website.....its a picture of tranquillity!!!!!
www.caldicott.com

truevisiontv.com/uploads/websites/39/wysiwyg/1_Times_Ian_piece.pdf

I agree Paintyfingers. I don't think any complacency can be afforded by parents and society at large.