| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:In the news today ... | |
| Posted by: | Iain Muir | |
| Date/Time: | 10/07/10 22:17:00 |
| Maire, Ouch! I have obviously touched a nerve in my defence of Stephen Pound but you also refer back to my previous posts on Toby’s school........ Might not be just ‘middle class’ residents in favour of Toby’s school but the steering group profiles confirm who is in charge! – see their website Not me with Prosecco I’m afraid, red wine or lager for me, all too often seen in many supermarkets locally as I search for something different to eat. Cheap Wine used to be c.£3.99 but is now more likely at £4.99. Yes I do like Earl Grey, but also have a variety of herbal teas left over from Julie, kept for visitors. I also like Waitrose, for some reason the security guard at Chiswick follows me as I explore the isles looking for reduced items. No problem at West Ealing though. Not sure choice of tea a good indicator for class? Class is a very tricky issue, I have no problems with being ‘middle class’. My parents despite first two homes being council owned were aspirational and through a frugal 1950’s my dad progressed his career staying with the same employer for 40 years. My mum (with 4 children) was bored stiff as he would not allow her to work. I was the only one to make it to university, very few did in 1970. I then gained a professional qualification and have happily stayed in social housing ever since. I have never earnt large sums but as a consultant can get a good daily rate, but jobs are short term and currently in short supply. Julie’s parents were both care workers and lowly paid. One of seven Julie defined herself genuinely working class. Julie was the only one to reach college, qualifying as a Librarian. Her father with his siblings were in a workhouse in Ipswich before joining the army at 14. She would never share a piece of fruit, memories of being the youngest! ‘Middle class’ is a very broad spectrum. We could never have afforded private education even if we had wanted it. We were fortunate in an excellent state primary and Acton High, which could have been better but produced two boys who were successful at Richmond College and at University (Youngest just has 2.1 from Sussex). I was a primary governor for 16 years, Julie was always involved in the primary PTA including being chair. She also helped out at Acton PTA, as did I briefly as Father Christmas..... Another version of ‘Middle Class’ presumes private education as of right, they will use state primaries if thought ‘ok’ (John Betts and Belmont for example) and then decamp (dumping former friends who stay in the state system –according to a friend who’s child was at Belmont) Unfortunately this version of the class sometimes find that they cannot afford their expectation. Hence Toby’s comment at the very start of the debate, what with 4 under 5’s or whatever. The steering group for Toby’s school has recently widened slightly but remains essentially people that had a private education or work in private education and want a quasi private education for their children, paid for by us. At least they have lost the women with distant royal connections..... Toby’s original ideas were laughable, ‘Comprehensive Grammar’ for example. We now have a proposal for an Academy, following slightly dodgy admissions criterion but that’s not Toby’s fault it’s the way Academies work (A puzzling Labour Government invention) It remains a quasi 1950’s Grammar what with motto and compulsory Latin and presumably an expensive uniform you will not get from Asda. It will be run by a profit making service company, possibly from Sweden, in premises which will more than likely not meet current standards. The coalition’s cuts to Building for Schools has placed the Toby school firmly in the frame as the favoured minority against the mainstream, to the expense of the many. £500k has been awarded to a lobby group staffed by 2 former Gove aides to promote Toby schools. The cash came from School IT development budgets. Maire, I have no doubt that you believe that Toby’s school will provide a better opportunity for children from Acton. I do not agree. You are very welcome at my home for a cup of Earl Grey and to discuss further, send me a PM if you want to follow this up. (presuming its working) Best Wishes Iain |