If I hadn't gone to private school...

[mudskipper]

Why not?

It works at Christ's hospital though I doubt the parents are "dissinterested" What makes you think that parents from a crappy (I presume you mean poor) are less likely to want the best for their kids than anyone else?

I find it extraordinary how the so called liberal middle classes presume to know what is best for the less well off in society. The liberal left do not like any sort of upward mobility from the proles which is why they are so keen to support the dreadful education system that the proles have no choice but to submit themselves to whilst they move to their areas of good schools or pay for them to go private.

I can only speak from my own experiences. I know lovely working class people who want the best for their kids, but don't think that education is important. e.g. my exes parents who couldn't understand why I wanted to go to college. "You don't want to bother with all that - I never got no O levels and it ain't done me no harm. Get yourself a job in a shop."

[DodgyAgent]

Crappy doesn't mean poor.

Most people mean by disinterested parents include people who are too strung out on drink and drugs to care what their off-spring do at school. Least if you are rich you can pay other people to take care of your children including a boarding school.

and what percentage of the population are "crappy" and do not care about their kids? You people seem keen to make any excuse you can to prevent anyone from enjoying the same benefits that you had (a decent education) what's your problem? worried that all the proles will take up all the decent school places and leave your lot to fend for themselves in an inner city comp?

[DodgyAgent]

I can only speak from my own experiences. I know lovely working class people who want the best for their kids, but don't think that education is important. e.g. my exes parents who couldn't understand why I wanted to go to college. "You don't want to bother with all that - I never got no O levels and it ain't done me no harm. Get yourself a job in a shop."

Quite! low aspirations probably because they knew that a decent education was beyond their wildest dreams so they simply make the best of what is available.

[mudskipper]

and what percentage of the population are "crappy" and do not care about their kids? You people seem keen to make any excuse you can to prevent anyone from enjoying the same benefits that you had (a decent education) what's your problem? worried that all the proles will take up all the decent school places and leave your lot to fend for themselves in an inner city comp?

What's all this "you people" feckwittery?

[SueEllen]

and what percentage of the population are "crappy" and do not care about their kids? You people seem keen to make any excuse you can to prevent anyone from enjoying the same benefits that you had (a decent education) what's your problem? worried that all the proles will take up all the decent school places and leave your lot to fend for themselves in an inner city comp?

I went to an inner city comp.

One of the things people don't realise is if you went and go (I know it still happens as some of my other family have proved it) to a comp with a decent headteacher and are good pupil who is likely to get high exam results, then the teachers are encouraged to make an effort ensuring you get your GCSEs and A levels. They also will encourage pupils to go to certain universities - I actually got told off at 14 for looking at some new university (poly) information by my history teacher.

Edited to say: The middling kids who are well behave really suffer in the comprehensive system. So if you have a well-behaved kid who isn't that intelligent send them private. If you have an intelligent kid who is well-behaved then a good state school won't harm their chances.

[mudskipper]

Quite! low aspirations probably because they knew that a decent education was beyond their wildest dreams so they simply make the best of what is available.

No - they didn't see that education was important. To them it was a waste of time when you could be doing something useful.

[SueEllen]

Quite! low aspirations probably because they knew that a decent education was beyond their wildest dreams so they simply make the best of what is available.

Nope.

I've met and have known people like that. It's heartbreaking when it's the person themselves.

Their life experience where they either have felt out of place or someone in their family attempted to get into a profession but couldn't, has taught them it's not worth trying.

[DodgyAgent]

What's all this "you people" feckwittery?

well it is not me that thinks that the poor (sorry "crappy") do not give a tulip about their children. You are blending this into an argument to stop the lower classes having access to the very best education for their children. This I am afraid is left wing dogma. I know you are not a leftie but you should just step back from yourself and read what you said.

[SueEllen]

well it is not me that thinks that the poor (sorry "crappy") do not give a tulip about their children. You are blending this into an argument to stop the lower classes having access to the very best education for their children. This I am afraid is left wing dogma. I know you are not a leftie but you should just step back from yourself and read what you said.

Mudskipper hasn't said that anywhere.

[DodgyAgent]

Nope.

I've met and have known people like that. It's heartbreaking when it's the person themselves.

Their life experience where they either have felt out of place or someone in their family attempted to get into a profession but couldn't, has taught them it's not worth trying.

What utter condescending nonsense. Have you read or seen the film Billy Elliot? Every child is capable and once parents start to see what is available to them do you really think they will hold back, particularly when others start to pick out good schools for their children.