I'm calling this Learning as it is so much more than Education. I saw a series of three programmes recently on three pupils, Tom, Jeremy and Libby going from Wells Cathedral School to Preston Manor in Wembley with their mentors, Moeed, Mustafa and Michelle (I hope I spelt the names right as I have no written reference). It was so interesting. The Head of Wells Cathedral school had said that the school - one of the oldest private schools in Europe no less - was there to teach children to learn, and that they could then go on through life with this learning capacity being their prized tool.
The Head of Preston Manor on the other hand explained that their Comp was large - with 1400 pupils, almost three times the size of Wells Cathedral School. And different - being situated in Wembley it was one of the most diversely multi-cultural schools in London. Outside the school there were sometimes incidents involving drugs, knives and guns. But the Head explained that rather than being a bad thing, although these events always affected the pupils, it also acted as a learning ground that would prepare the pupils for 21st century living.
The dilemma I was left with was this: does a prep school prepare you for life in our world today as well as a huge comp in London does? Obviously geographics come into this but then so does money. Can money buy you out of 'life' as we know it and purchase you privacy, protection and cotton wool?It was interesting to see what the pupils from Wells Cathedral School thought of school life at a comp like Preston Manor. Tom was looking forward to returning to Wells, but only because he missed his toast at break time! Yet he would prefer to be able to take some of his new 'mates' with him. He had found that altering his speech - saying 'init' a lot instead of 'isn't it' - helped him become accepted, to open himself up to people and to make friends. Jeremy was just lovely and became 'Jez' at Preston Manor - he was open and willing from the start and just a brilliant lad. Jeremy would have preferred to stay at school in Wembley. As would Libby, who loved the experience - it was endearing to see how moved Libby was by the reception she was given from the other girls in Year 10, especially as some of the girls sang her their own composition, a welcome song, during break time in the canteen. Libby was stunned by this and rightly so.The three of them arrived at Preston Manor expecting to have to try to fit in, to be accepted, yet they were welcomed with open arms. What a tribute to such a diverse comp in London, that the pupils there were open, friendly, helpful and welcoming, willing to share and enjoy all they had with these three. What it showed as well was how we are all just people - young, middle aged, old - we are all the same whatever our 'packaging': private school, state school, posh house, social housing - we are, at heart, the same, with the same needs and a shared interest in each other. When Jeremy started to say that he felt privileged, I thought he was going to say privileged to have been to Wells Cathedral School even though enjoying Preston Manor. But no, he said he felt privileged to have been one of only six pupils in the country to have taken part in such an 'experiment'. And the three pupils from Preston Manor - Moeed, Mustafa and Michelle - were happy with where they were thank you, and would like to stay. They are living proof of the fact that if you make the most of what you're given (intelligence, humour, schooling in whatever form, family) then you will shine alongside even the brightest star. I loved watching them. Overall, all the pupils involved (except Tom) questioned the money spent on private education, each feeling that both the teachers and the lesson content was as good at Preston Manor, a large state comprehensive, as it was at the prestigious (and expensive) Wells Cathedral School.It was a fab programme but best to remember that Preston Manor, although large, is one of the best comps in the country with a Head Teacher who has helped turn it around from a failing school. My lasting impression was that I will be happy to send my daughter to a state comprehensive but I would like to be able to choose her a good one, the best one I can find.
Yet by then will I have that choice? Even if I make the effort and move into the desired location, I may not be able to send my daughter to the school of our choice, closest to us, and within our catchment area.
The Government are piloting a scheme in one county of the UK where the comprehensive your children are sent to really will be a lottery. You are notified by post which school your child will attend and that’s that. They are ‘mixing it up’ so as not to get an imbalance: in some schools the pupils come from many cultures and backgrounds whereas in other schools the pupils are predominantly white and middle class. The new school ‘lottery’ means there will be a mix and all schools will then become similar. And if this ‘lottery’ works, it could be rolled out across the entire country.
What is the betting then that Private schools will become fiercely sought after by those who can only just afford it but who don’t want the alternative: after all, isn’t it our right as parents to choose our child’s environment, especially if we have moved to a particular area with that thought in mind.
It really does put the meaning of fair into question, as what some may see as fair may not be seen in the same light by others. It may herald a change in the way children are educated in Britain: we may be nearing a future where private schools are not the domain of the wealthy but are the school of choice by parents who refuse the alternative. Democracy may still be the name of the game, albeit in a different format.
The Head of Preston Manor on the other hand explained that their Comp was large - with 1400 pupils, almost three times the size of Wells Cathedral School. And different - being situated in Wembley it was one of the most diversely multi-cultural schools in London. Outside the school there were sometimes incidents involving drugs, knives and guns. But the Head explained that rather than being a bad thing, although these events always affected the pupils, it also acted as a learning ground that would prepare the pupils for 21st century living.
The dilemma I was left with was this: does a prep school prepare you for life in our world today as well as a huge comp in London does? Obviously geographics come into this but then so does money. Can money buy you out of 'life' as we know it and purchase you privacy, protection and cotton wool?It was interesting to see what the pupils from Wells Cathedral School thought of school life at a comp like Preston Manor. Tom was looking forward to returning to Wells, but only because he missed his toast at break time! Yet he would prefer to be able to take some of his new 'mates' with him. He had found that altering his speech - saying 'init' a lot instead of 'isn't it' - helped him become accepted, to open himself up to people and to make friends. Jeremy was just lovely and became 'Jez' at Preston Manor - he was open and willing from the start and just a brilliant lad. Jeremy would have preferred to stay at school in Wembley. As would Libby, who loved the experience - it was endearing to see how moved Libby was by the reception she was given from the other girls in Year 10, especially as some of the girls sang her their own composition, a welcome song, during break time in the canteen. Libby was stunned by this and rightly so.The three of them arrived at Preston Manor expecting to have to try to fit in, to be accepted, yet they were welcomed with open arms. What a tribute to such a diverse comp in London, that the pupils there were open, friendly, helpful and welcoming, willing to share and enjoy all they had with these three. What it showed as well was how we are all just people - young, middle aged, old - we are all the same whatever our 'packaging': private school, state school, posh house, social housing - we are, at heart, the same, with the same needs and a shared interest in each other. When Jeremy started to say that he felt privileged, I thought he was going to say privileged to have been to Wells Cathedral School even though enjoying Preston Manor. But no, he said he felt privileged to have been one of only six pupils in the country to have taken part in such an 'experiment'. And the three pupils from Preston Manor - Moeed, Mustafa and Michelle - were happy with where they were thank you, and would like to stay. They are living proof of the fact that if you make the most of what you're given (intelligence, humour, schooling in whatever form, family) then you will shine alongside even the brightest star. I loved watching them. Overall, all the pupils involved (except Tom) questioned the money spent on private education, each feeling that both the teachers and the lesson content was as good at Preston Manor, a large state comprehensive, as it was at the prestigious (and expensive) Wells Cathedral School.It was a fab programme but best to remember that Preston Manor, although large, is one of the best comps in the country with a Head Teacher who has helped turn it around from a failing school. My lasting impression was that I will be happy to send my daughter to a state comprehensive but I would like to be able to choose her a good one, the best one I can find.
Yet by then will I have that choice? Even if I make the effort and move into the desired location, I may not be able to send my daughter to the school of our choice, closest to us, and within our catchment area.
The Government are piloting a scheme in one county of the UK where the comprehensive your children are sent to really will be a lottery. You are notified by post which school your child will attend and that’s that. They are ‘mixing it up’ so as not to get an imbalance: in some schools the pupils come from many cultures and backgrounds whereas in other schools the pupils are predominantly white and middle class. The new school ‘lottery’ means there will be a mix and all schools will then become similar. And if this ‘lottery’ works, it could be rolled out across the entire country.
What is the betting then that Private schools will become fiercely sought after by those who can only just afford it but who don’t want the alternative: after all, isn’t it our right as parents to choose our child’s environment, especially if we have moved to a particular area with that thought in mind.
It really does put the meaning of fair into question, as what some may see as fair may not be seen in the same light by others. It may herald a change in the way children are educated in Britain: we may be nearing a future where private schools are not the domain of the wealthy but are the school of choice by parents who refuse the alternative. Democracy may still be the name of the game, albeit in a different format.
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