11 plus

[Gayle]

I passed mine and went to Paddock House. When I was in sixth form I decided that I wanted to go to Blackburn College to do my foundation year in art. I was accepted on that and it wasn't dependent on good A level results. Being told that it didn't matter what my results were meant that I didn't really apply myself to my A levels and only got one. After my foundation year I went to Salford to do an HND in Graphic Design.

Basically, what I'm saying is that I went more or less through the whole system. The thing that I have learnt in life though is that it does not matter one jot what your academic results are - you learn far more after you leave school than you do at it. Life skills are more important.

I think secondary schools should have more emphasis on politics, banking and money and all those other real things that you need.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my school days and had a fantastic time.

 

[garinda]

I passed mine and went to Paddock House. When I was in sixth form I decided that I wanted to go to Blackburn College to do my foundation year in art. I was accepted on that and it wasn't dependent on good A level results.

Even though we are the same age, I did the same course at the same college as you ( me=child prodigy because I was there first) You needed a minimum of 5 O-levels or two A-levels, which you must have had, because at that time that was the entry requirement for degree courses for which the art foundation course prepared you.


Back on thread... I think it was wrong that a whole generation was consigned to more menial jobs just because they didn't pass an examination aged eleven.

 

[Gayle]

Even though we are the same age, I did the same course at the same college as you ( me=child prodigy because I was there first) You needed a minimum of 5 O-levels or two A-levels, which you must have had, because at that time that was the entry requirement for degree courses for which the art foundation course prepared you.


Back on thread... I think it was wrong that a whole generation was consigned to more menial jobs just because they didn't pass an examination aged eleven.

Nope, I didn't have two A ' levels and they weren't interested in my A level results at all. They even told me that I could fail them if I wanted because it didn't matter to them - they wanted me to go there regardless of results. Then when it came to getting into Salford (remember I did HND not Degree) they were only interested in my work on my foundation year so again, the A levels didn't come into it.

I had a great time doing two years of A levels and an even greater time when I was told that I could coast through them and the results didn't matter - I did get one of them though.

But back on thread, I don't think people were consigned to menial jobs because of an exam they took at 11. My Dad failed his 11+ but because of that he was actually at the top of his year group at the secondary modern. If he'd have scrapped through his 11+ he might have been in the bottom stream at grammer school and have got demoralised and not succeeded. As it is he's quite happy with his results in life.