I meant t post this ages ago - school appoints 4 girls for head girls and deputies

[ISNT]

I read this in the paper ages ago www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED14%20Jul%202010%2020%3A05%3A12%3A573

The head put all the candidates through the same selection process and the best candidates were 2 girls for head girl, and 2 girls as deputies.

Interestingly the daily mail take on the story cites complaints from students as well as parents, which was not in the report linked above or the one I originally saw (I think it was in the metro).

The comments on the DM are pretty depressing, obviously, but interesting the take that this is "sexist" and the headmaster is "stupid" having picked a girl as head boy, as it were. They claim that this would never be allowed the other way around - really? Maybe they have a point - I struggle to think of any institutions with all men at the top....

Anyway thought you'd all be interested. Anotehr one where girls have done well, and the response is outrage.

It's daft having a girl as Head Boy.

They didn't though. They needed two students as heads, and chose 2 girls.

The way I read the article the school has two head pupils - in the past they have probably been a girl and boy, this year the girls were the strongest candidates so two girls as the heads instead of a girl and a boy. It isn't a case of a girl being 'Head Boy'.

The idea that one of the positions was "head boy" is interesting as a lot of respondents have said that, even though it didn't say it in either of the articles.

"Mr Phillips said the selection process began with the school's 56 prefects being invited to apply for senior prefect positions, with head girls and boys being chosen from this group.

He said: ?We had 24 applications to be senior prefects, 18 girls and six boys, and we shortlisted 16 of those, 12 girls and four boys, for interview on the quality of their application and contribution to the school."

Doesn't say anything about one having to be a girl and one having to be a boy.

Exactly ISNT - storm in a teacup and whats the betting if he had chosen two boys it wouldn't have even registered....

I think it's more an issue of boys not being interested in those positions to be honest the head teacher commented that the 'strongest' (as in fit the requirements) boys didn't put themselves forward also we can see the difference in numbers 6 boys in comparison to 18 girls. As the larger group it's logical to see that there would more people who fit the needs of those positions.

However though this is a school which is used to having both head boy and head girl. I understand why he made his selection that way but it may have been best to pick one of both as it would be good for the morale of the students they are only children after all.

Would it really be a better example to the children, that out of 18 girls and 6 boys, two of each would be picked, even though the girls were the stronger candidates?

What would that teach them?

Well i am only talking about the head boy position 3 girls 1 boy. I imagine if the traditional head girl role was taken by a boy there would be just as much irritation by the school body and their parents.

Neither of the articles refers to it as a "head boy" position though, only the comments on the DM article do that.

The headmaster obviously was just picking two student heads and two deputies based on ability etc.

If this "tradition" angle was so great then why neglect the position of "traditional male deputy"? The 3 girls one boy stance is the least logical one of all.

If there were 100 girls and 1 boy, should that one boy still be picked?

This is how it works in many employment situations still, this school case is a great parallel to what happens in the wider world and peoples reactions are very telling.

Basic premise = you need to have a male in charge

I don't think you need to have a male in charge. But I do think it is good for boys in school to have good role models - seeing boys in a position where they are expected to be hardworking, take their studies seriously, lead by example etc will encourage other boys to do the same. If boys get the feeling that it is "girly" to be wellbehaved, responsible etc because only girls get the head and deputy positions, that won't help them to develop those skills themselves.

For that reason, I think it would be better if they did label the posts "head boy" and "head girl" as then it is not sexist to pick one of each. But if their "rules" for picking them don't mention gender, then yes it is right that they pick the best candidates regardless of gender, and if that means they are all girls then they have to go with that result.

The article from the edp website that is linked to in the original post stated that having a head girl and a head boy is a "tradition".

That seems to have been interpreted by the backashers using that sense of male entitlement which I am sure many of us are familiar with. Meritocracy seems to be a moveable feast.

My previous post should have been

"... interpreted by the backlashers ..."

Yes I think that's what I was getting at vesuvia.

The way sexism keeps getting thrown in womens faces as an accusation whenever they achieve something.

No articles saying "well done girls".

Well done girls.