Too Poor for Posh School

[SebbysMum]

Anyone want to watch this with me? That first little boy was so sweet

That's good to know.

I've just checked - it does fund prep school from 11 - 13 which should soften the transition.

[should be working but its Friday emoticon]

Please don't flame me but Tumi reminded me a lot of ds' friend who is midly dyspraxic actually - he seems like a very good boy who will actually be allowed to breathe during the time apart from his mother or could go the other way and transform into a rebel without her constant guidance.

I was sat openmouthed watching Krishan. like a 'little man'. I did well up at the end though when he gave his mum a big hug.

Agree he would be terrorised in a state school.

Not all of the boys who gave consent were filmed.

Well Electro, he certainly concealed any dyspraxic tendencies when he played the violin.

On the pc point, if the 3 that were chosen are as bright as they seem then I have no issue with playing pc - although the school may have a fair number of asian boys (and I have not checked the stats) I'm pretty sure that there would be very few boys of African descent - bit more diversity will do them good.

Tbfair Krishan was the only outstandingly bright one - there are always a fair number of Indian boys in selective schools as they emerge as the brightest groups and highest achievers in many studies. Not saying that this necessarily applies to the one living over the road from you, but when they are bright, they are usually fiercely bright; often without loads of days out and holidays and constant parental involvement white middle-class boys pretty much have as a given.

I don't agree with positive discrimination at all - never have done. Should all be done meritocratically

I think they were looking for a god all-roundre though, which is why they took music and sport into consideration.

Krishan is the sort oif kid that will thrive wherever he goes. I don't think other families' material wealth will bother him in the slightest - he doesn't really give a stuff what other people think of him.

Tumi - oh bless him. I hope the pastoral care is good at Harrow. he strikes me as being v sensitive

My son has a place at Harrow school starting Sept 10 so let me just reassure some, Krishan is not the norm, he is clearly a exceptionally bright boy but a little odd tbh, boys dont tend to choose their friends according to how rich their parents are, things have changed vastly over the last 30 years in schools such as Harrow and they are open to all with one large cavate - if you are not famous, a genius, or earning millions you must go to one of the feeders to have any chance of going to a school such as Harrow.

"Not saying that this necessarily applies to the one living over the road from you, but when they are bright, they are usually fiercely bright; often without loads of days out and holidays and constant parental involvement white middle-class boys pretty much have as a given."

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm being PC but doesn't this statement imply that boys from Indian families are all a bit poor financially and not middle class?? This is quite ridiculous in an area like mine where many, many of the Indian families are very wealthy and very middle class.

Of Indian origin does not equal fewer days out/ holidays/ less parental involvement.

Tumi will be fine at Harrow. Not sure about Krishnan, he would be suited to a far more academic public school. Harrow takes in a much wider ability range than for example Westminster, St. Pauls, Winchester, Eton and some others. At common entrance their pass mark is not that high. IMO the kids at the more academic ones are much more accepting of children who are more eccentric because of their brain power.

Electro, positive discrimination justification will always be a moot point. I do believe in meritocracy but it's not as straightforward as that. Krishan is clearly naturally very bright and curious but he also attends private school which may have given him some advantage. I think achievements of boys like Tumi have probably been measured to some degree in the context of them having attended state school.

"I hope this doesn't sound like I'm being PC but doesn't this statement imply that boys from Indian families are all a bit poor financially and not middle class??" Err no - never said that at all. I know loads of middle class people of Indian origin in London. They don't generally flash the cash so much though - don't know a single postcose/holiday destination/ designer clothes snob

Didn't really understand why Tumi got in, didn't think he was that stellar tbh. Sweet though. Can imagine Krishan in the FCO in about 12 yrs time.

I agree with Electrofagz, there are a number of Indian boys at my sons school. They take edcuation very seriously however it often seems to be to the detriment of sport and socialising. I remember a Indian father picking up his 8 year old at pick up time asking what he had done in his lessons. When the boy mentioned he had been picked to play in a inter school match the father said he didnt want it to interfere with his 'studies' and went to find the teacher to cancel it!

Also wider members of Indian families will often help with school fees (bit jealous of that one!!)

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the programme at The TV Show, as always the viewers editor and programme makers review and often respond to comments - bit.ly/9fIHuG

Rocky isn't the first part of your post rather sweeping generalisation...?