General UK politics - Page 9

Vixen · 16th November 2020, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Wudang

I seem to recall mention of some sort of health issue. Oh and apparently the bloody Europeans aren't willing to play the gentleman and sacrifice the principles of the EU so the Bojo comedy troupe aren't exposed as liars.

He does look dishevelled and even confused. He seems barely able to string a sentence together and when placed next to Sunak or even Hancock it is apparent he lacks confidence, coherence and even sharpness.

I don't know what is wrong with him, although rumours abound and there might be a corona after-effect but his leadership doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

Vixen · 16th November 2020, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by The Don

IMO the major public schools are Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster and Wellington. If your child is truly stupid and/or you are a sadist then maybe Gordonstoun creeps into the list. If your child has the misfortune to be female then maybe Benenden's on the list too.

Everything else is some variant of minor public school, though places like Upminster, Rugby, Kings' Canterbury, Fettes or St Paul are less minor than the run of the mill.

I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent.

Lothian · 16th November 2020, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent.

No one from Durham has a Geordie accent.

Carrot Flower King · 16th November 2020, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Lothian

it is minor. It is mainly for sporty kids or those who would struggle academically in the better performing state schools nearby.

Yup, Durham School is most definitely minor: it was never that good academically, as I've pointed out several times.

In my day the bright kids whose parents didn't want to send them to the local state grammar school to mix with the likes of me would go to somewhere like RGS in Newcastle.

Carrot Flower King · 16th November 2020, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent.

Durham School has never, ever, ever been the northern equivalent of those named "public" schools and, as I've said several times, it had lower academic standards than the 2 local state grammar schools.

And NO-ONE from Durham has EVER had any class of a Geordie accent (for my sins I'm married to a Geordie...).

Lothian · 16th November 2020, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Carrot Flower King

Yup, Durham School is most definitely minor: it was never that good academically, as I've pointed out several times.

In my day the bright kids whose parents didn't want to send them to the local state grammar school to mix with the likes of me would go to somewhere like RGS in Newcastle.

Still a handful get the train from Durham to Newcastle each morning. Well I presume so, I haven't caught it since lockdown.

Vixen · 16th November 2020, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Lothian

No one from Durham has a Geordie accent.

Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems.

Lothian · 16th November 2020, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Carrot Flower King

Durham School has never, ever, ever been the northern equivalent of those named "public" schools and, as I've said several times, it had lower academic standards than the 2 local state grammar schools.

And NO-ONE from Durham has EVER had any class of a Geordie accent (for my sins I'm married to a Geordie...).

In 2019 last time Exams were properly sat the local Comp had 80% of A level students getting A or B compared to 60% at Durham

While Durham School just pipped another comp and the Catholic school it is not even the best private school. Durham High school for girls which has a similar number of pupils had better A levels.

As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. The freak will fit right in there

Lothian · 16th November 2020, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems.

Vixen to the line shooting 0 from 2 .....

Vixen · 16th November 2020, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Lothian

In 2019 last time Exams were properly sat the local Comp had 80% of A level students getting A or B compared to 60% at Durham

While Durham School just pipped another comp and the Catholic school it is not even the best private school. Durham High school for girls which has a similar number of pupils had better A levels.

As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic.

Dominic Cummings isn't even mentioned in its distinguished alumni list. I see what you mean: seems to be composed of sporting types, rugby and cricket players. Cummings himself went on to study Ancient History at Exeter (another Uni teeming with ex-public school) a totally useless subject for running the country as is Johnson's Classics. At least people like Hancock did PPE which is relevant to his job.

Don't be fooled by Cummings' flat cap and dressed down image though.

Captain_Swoop · 16th November 2020, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Vixen

I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent.

Plebs would say that.

Captain_Swoop · 16th November 2020, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems.

What?

Captain_Swoop · 16th November 2020, 06:11 PM

Ancient History and Classics are prerequisites for running the country!

angrysoba · 16th November 2020, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Ancient History and Classics are prerequisites for running the country!

Well, their administration will soon be ancient history after their classic balls-ups.

Vixen · 17th November 2020, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Plebs would say that.

What do you mean 'plebs' would say that?

The Don · 17th November 2020, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent.

Being a major private school has nothing to do with how difficult academically it is to get in and everything to do with the kinds of people you network with while you're there, and the cachet of going to that school.

As you point out, it's all about the branding, but being an old Etonian or Harrovian significantly enhances your chances of being PM.

Captain_Swoop · 17th November 2020, 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

What do you mean 'plebs' would say that?

That their minor school was actually a 'good' school.

Getting in to a 'top' school isn't about difficulty, it's about money and influence.

Captain_Swoop · 17th November 2020, 04:00 AM

Boris Johnson 'called Scottish devolution disaster'

Quote:

Boris Johnson has come under fire for reportedly telling a virtual meeting of Conservative MPs that devolution had been a "disaster" in Scotland.

Mr Johnson also reportedly described it as predecessor Tony Blair's "biggest mistake".

The SNP and Labour have both criticised the prime minister.

But Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Mr Johnson has "always supported devolution".

"What he does feel strongly, and I would agree, is that devolution in Scotland has facilitated the rise of separatism and nationalism in the form of the SNP, and that that's trying to break apart the United Kingdom," he told BBC Breakfast.

"Anybody, like the prime minister, who loves the UK wants to keep it together thinks that that's a very, very dangerous and disappointing outcome that we need to battle against."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54965585

Boris decided that the EU was the enemy he would use as a tool to get power.
With a disaster of no deal Brexit he has moved on to a new enemy.

Who next? will he have Wessex and Mercia fighting over the last potato!

Captain_Swoop · 17th November 2020, 04:02 AM

From Sky News

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says devolution has been "misused" in Scotland by the SNP 'to drive a wedge between people who are ultimately part of the same country'.

Carrot Flower King · 17th November 2020, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems.

And you can sod off with that one too!

Carrot Flower King · 17th November 2020, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Lothian

In 2019 last time Exams were properly sat the local Comp had 80% of A level students getting A or B compared to 60% at Durham

While Durham School just pipped another comp and the Catholic school it is not even the best private school. Durham High school for girls which has a similar number of pupils had better A levels.

As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. The freak will fit right in there

Very much this! 'S been like that pretty much all my life (I'm in my early 60s) - even some of the staff at Durham School wouldn't send their lads there, but to one of the then state grammars (the 2 comps Lothian refers to).

Vixen · 17th November 2020, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

That their minor school was actually a 'good' school.

Getting in to a 'top' school isn't about difficulty, it's about money and influence.

To get into Durham School you have to pass an entrance exam. I'll tell you what are 'minor public schools' and they would be the ones my father - who was a real snob - sent my brothers from another marriage to. You won't have heard of them unless you live in Greater Manchester or Staffordshire and he was only an area manager for Plessey in those days. Has to be said though that they did all right as a result, gaining electronics type degrees and graduating eventually from Sandhurst to get high up in the army by passing ever more exams. I myself went to the local - supposedly Direct Grant, although I don't think anyone paid anything - grammar school.

I had heard of Durham school and I recall now that it was well-known for beefy sporting types who get into prestigious unis on the strength of their performance on the playing fields. Dominic Cummings looks like he is good at sprinting!

Vixen · 17th November 2020, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Boris Johnson 'called Scottish devolution disaster'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54965585

Boris decided that the EU was the enemy he would use as a tool to get power.
With a disaster of no deal Brexit he has moved on to a new enemy.

Who next? will he have Wessex and Mercia fighting over the last potato!

He has to face the 1922 committee and explain why his Brexit plans are driving a divided kingdom.

Lothian · 17th November 2020, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

To get into Durham School you have to pass an entrance exam.

No, you just need to pay a fee. If you want an academic scholarship you have to sit an exam but not otherwise.

Vixen · 17th November 2020, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by Lothian

No, you just need to pay a fee. If you want an academic scholarship you have to sit an exam but not otherwise.

The fees look quite steep to me. Surely no wealthy parent would send their kid there without a view of their little Dom eventually getting a place at a redbrick uni?

Quote:

Day Pupil Years 7-8 £4,972** £14,916 [Term Fee/Annual Fee]
Day Pupil Years 9-13 £5,331** £15,993
Weekly Boarder Years 7-8 £7,947 £23,841
Weekly Boarder Years 9-13 £9,686 £29,058
Full Boarder Years 7-8 £9,238 £27,714
Full Boarder Years 9-13 £10,855 £32,565

Dominic Cummings has gone but don't imagine he is cloth cap and braces for a second.

ETA: This seems to hint that most pupils get a scholarship because of academic ability, as Johnson did at Eton.

Pixel42 · 17th November 2020, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Who next? will he have Wessex and Mercia fighting over the last potato!

I'm Wessex born and bred and I'm fed up with being dictated to by the bureaucrats up in London. I vote to leave the UK, close our borders to the immigrant Londoners (and of course all other foreigners, especially the Mercians) and reclaim our sovereignty. King Athelstan is buried a couple of miles from here, I'm sure he must have a descendant living near by we could put in charge. What could possibly go wrong?

quadraginta · 17th November 2020, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Pixel42

I'm Wessex born and bred and I'm fed up with being dictated to by the bureaucrats up in London. I vote to leave the UK, close our borders to the immigrant Londoners (and of course all other foreigners, especially the Mercians) and reclaim our sovereignty. King Athelstan is buried a couple of miles from here, I'm sure he must have a descendant living near by we could put in charge. What could possibly go wrong?

One of John Steinbeck's lesser known works is a book titled The Short Reign of Pippin IV.

It is a delightful exercise which begins with a premise much like the above highlighted. Well worth a read. A bit on the lighthearted side compared to much of Steinbeck, but not without his usual social reflection.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 17th November 2020, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Pixel42

I'm Wessex born and bred and I'm fed up with being dictated to by the bureaucrats up in London. I vote to leave the UK, close our borders to the immigrant Londoners (and of course all other foreigners, especially the Mercians) and reclaim our sovereignty. King Athelstan is buried a couple of miles from here, I'm sure he must have a descendant living near by we could put in charge. What could possibly go wrong?

I mean, it's happening to Kent, so why not?

Wudang · 17th November 2020, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

I mean, it's happening to Kent, so why not?

Side note, if you don't follow Donald the Unready you might want to check him out.

RolandRat · 17th November 2020, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Lothian

As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. The freak will fit right in there

Bit harsh.

Nessie · 17th November 2020, 10:49 AM

I just worked out my old school fees as if had just finished there now, having arrived in Primary 3 and left in 6th Year. £97,467.

Vixen · 17th November 2020, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

I mean, it's happening to Kent, so why not?

From being the Garden of England...

Mojo · 17th November 2020, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Vixen

From being the Garden of England...

“If England is a garden, we ought to have more manure.” - Noel Coward.

Mojo · 17th November 2020, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Vixen

Cummings himself went on to study Ancient History at Exeter (another Uni teeming with ex-public school) a totally useless subject for running the country as is Johnson's Classics. At least people like Hancock did PPE which is relevant to his job.

It wasn’t the sort of PPE that’s relevant to his current job.

Carrot Flower King · 18th November 2020, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

The fees look quite steep to me. Surely no wealthy parent would send their kid there without a view of their little Dom eventually getting a place at a redbrick uni?

Dominic Cummings has gone but don't imagine he is cloth cap and braces for a second.

ETA: This seems to hint that most pupils get a scholarship because of academic ability, as Johnson did at Eton.

As I said before, but I'll say it again more plainly: I was at primary school with kids who could not pass Durham's equivalent of the 11+ to get into the local state grammar school (the one I went to) and were sent to Durham School as they could pass the one entry requirement, which is the size of their parents' bank balance - no entry exams, 'cos the little Herberts couldn't have passed them anyway. And some of the parents didn't want their precious little Sebastians associating with lower middle class scum like me (parents are physios? How uncouth!), let alone the bairns who came from the surrounding pit villages, but were bright enough to get in. Yes, that sort of snobbery was (still is for all I know) rampant in Durham then. And the state grammars still got more bairns into universities...

I know exactly where Cummings grew up (go south on the old Great North Road, past where the Cock of the North used to be, but don't go as far as Sunderland Bridge; if you hit Croxdale, you've definitely gone too far): next to no-one from Durham City was "belt and braces", 'cos it's always been a pretty middle class city, dominated by the cathedral, the university, hospitals and county council...

Captain_Swoop · 18th November 2020, 08:49 AM

Durham City has quite a bit of the Oxbridge 'Town and Gown' about it.
Most of the centre is student accommodation and pubs and bars catering to them. Surrounding the centre are council and housing association estates.
There is quite a lot of poverty and unemployment in the area.

Lothian · 18th November 2020, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by RolandRat

Bit harsh.

Yes you are right, sorry. I was having a dig at Dominic who famously advertised for an unusual set of people, weirdos, misfits, true wild cards". Not everyone at Durham School is like him. However, Durham does tend to attract sporty people and people who would struggle in mainstream education. Academically the local comps are better/ just as good.

Garrison · 19th November 2020, 06:19 AM

So after a couple of weeks ago explaining how they just couldn't go spending money feeding children the government announces this:

Defence funding boost 'extends British influence'

Quote:

The prime minister told MPs the four-year deal was worth £16.5bn and would help protect "hundreds of thousands" of jobs and create 40,000 new ones.

It will "end the era of retreat, transform our armed forces and bolster our global influence", he said.

Of course the figures are being disputed but even so its a lot of money, which will probably be spent on cntracts every bit as iffy as those for PPE.

Captain_Swoop · 19th November 2020, 06:38 AM

Seems everyone wants it to be spent on 'Cyber'.

I suppose that's the best way to make sure it gets funnelled to a company owned by your brother in law/wife/uncle/ pal from Eton etc.

catsmate · 19th November 2020, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Seems everyone wants it to be spent on 'Cyber'.

I suppose that's the best way to make sure it gets funnelled to a company owned by your brother in law/wife/uncle/ pal from Eton etc.

It's also easier for the funds to disappear without actual result.

16th November 2020, 09:57 AM	#321
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Wudang I seem to recall mention of some sort of health issue. Oh and apparently the bloody Europeans aren't willing to play the gentleman and sacrifice the principles of the EU so the Bojo comedy troupe aren't exposed as liars. He does look dishevelled and even confused. He seems barely able to string a sentence together and when placed next to Sunak or even Hancock it is apparent he lacks confidence, coherence and even sharpness. I don't know what is wrong with him, although rumours abound and there might be a corona after-effect but his leadership doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

16th November 2020, 10:05 AM	#322
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by The Don IMO the major public schools are Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster and Wellington. If your child is truly stupid and/or you are a sadist then maybe Gordonstoun creeps into the list. If your child has the misfortune to be female then maybe Benenden's on the list too. Everything else is some variant of minor public school, though places like Upminster, Rugby, Kings' Canterbury, Fettes or St Paul are less minor than the run of the mill. I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

16th November 2020, 11:35 AM	#327
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Lothian No one from Durham has a Geordie accent. Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

16th November 2020, 11:39 AM	#328
Lothian should be banned Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Earth, specifically the crusty bit on the outside Posts: 15,944	Originally Posted by Carrot Flower King Durham School has never, ever, ever been the northern equivalent of those named "public" schools and, as I've said several times, it had lower academic standards than the 2 local state grammar schools. And NO-ONE from Durham has EVER had any class of a Geordie accent (for my sins I'm married to a Geordie...). In 2019 last time Exams were properly sat the local Comp had 80% of A level students getting A or B compared to 60% at Durham While Durham School just pipped another comp and the Catholic school it is not even the best private school. Durham High school for girls which has a similar number of pupils had better A levels. As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. The freak will fit right in there
	Last edited by Lothian; 16th November 2020 at 11:41 AM.

16th November 2020, 11:45 AM	#330
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Lothian In 2019 last time Exams were properly sat the local Comp had 80% of A level students getting A or B compared to 60% at Durham While Durham School just pipped another comp and the Catholic school it is not even the best private school. Durham High school for girls which has a similar number of pupils had better A levels. As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. Dominic Cummings isn't even mentioned in its distinguished alumni list. I see what you mean: seems to be composed of sporting types, rugby and cricket players. Cummings himself went on to study Ancient History at Exeter (another Uni teeming with ex-public school) a totally useless subject for running the country as is Johnson's Classics. At least people like Hancock did PPE which is relevant to his job. Don't be fooled by Cummings' flat cap and dressed down image though.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

16th November 2020, 10:59 AM	#323
Lothian should be banned Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Earth, specifically the crusty bit on the outside Posts: 15,944	Originally Posted by Vixen I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent. No one from Durham has a Geordie accent.

16th November 2020, 11:11 AM	#324
Carrot Flower King Muse Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 536	Originally Posted by Lothian it is minor. It is mainly for sporty kids or those who would struggle academically in the better performing state schools nearby. Yup, Durham School is most definitely minor: it was never that good academically, as I've pointed out several times. In my day the bright kids whose parents didn't want to send them to the local state grammar school to mix with the likes of me would go to somewhere like RGS in Newcastle.

16th November 2020, 11:17 AM	#325
Carrot Flower King Muse Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 536	Originally Posted by Vixen I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent. Durham School has never, ever, ever been the northern equivalent of those named "public" schools and, as I've said several times, it had lower academic standards than the 2 local state grammar schools. And NO-ONE from Durham has EVER had any class of a Geordie accent (for my sins I'm married to a Geordie...).

16th November 2020, 11:20 AM	#326
Lothian should be banned Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Earth, specifically the crusty bit on the outside Posts: 15,944	Originally Posted by Carrot Flower King Yup, Durham School is most definitely minor: it was never that good academically, as I've pointed out several times. In my day the bright kids whose parents didn't want to send them to the local state grammar school to mix with the likes of me would go to somewhere like RGS in Newcastle. Still a handful get the train from Durham to Newcastle each morning. Well I presume so, I haven't caught it since lockdown.

16th November 2020, 11:40 AM	#329
Lothian should be banned Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Earth, specifically the crusty bit on the outside Posts: 15,944	Originally Posted by Vixen Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems. Vixen to the line shooting 0 from 2 .....

16th November 2020, 06:09 PM	#331
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	Originally Posted by Vixen I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent. Plebs would say that.

16th November 2020, 06:10 PM	#332
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	Originally Posted by Vixen Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems. What?

16th November 2020, 06:11 PM	#333
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	Ancient History and Classics are prerequisites for running the country!

16th November 2020, 08:03 PM	#334
angrysoba Philosophile Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 29,006	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Ancient History and Classics are prerequisites for running the country! Well, their administration will soon be ancient history after their classic balls-ups.
	__________________ "The thief and the murderer follow nature just as much as the philanthropist. Cosmic evolution may teach us how the good and the evil tendencies of man may have come about; but, in itself, it is incompetent to furnish any better reason why what we call good is preferable to what we call evil than we had before." "Evolution and Ethics" T.H. Huxley (1893)

17th November 2020, 01:04 AM	#335
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Plebs would say that. What do you mean 'plebs' would say that?
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

17th November 2020, 03:11 AM	#336
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 31,041	Originally Posted by Vixen I have to disagree. I have friends who went to Harrow and Westminster and friends who went to the girls public schools. They are nothing special and it wasn't difficult to get in, they are just prestigious brands, although you need to show academic ability. I would opine that Durham serves the function of your listed schools as the northern version of them. Certainly they do not have a Geordie accent. Being a major private school has nothing to do with how difficult academically it is to get in and everything to do with the kinds of people you network with while you're there, and the cachet of going to that school. As you point out, it's all about the branding, but being an old Etonian or Harrovian significantly enhances your chances of being PM.

17th November 2020, 03:28 AM	#337
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	Originally Posted by Vixen What do you mean 'plebs' would say that? That their minor school was actually a 'good' school. Getting in to a 'top' school isn't about difficulty, it's about money and influence.

17th November 2020, 04:00 AM	#338
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	Boris Johnson 'called Scottish devolution disaster' Quote: Boris Johnson has come under fire for reportedly telling a virtual meeting of Conservative MPs that devolution had been a "disaster" in Scotland. Mr Johnson also reportedly described it as predecessor Tony Blair's "biggest mistake". The SNP and Labour have both criticised the prime minister. But Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Mr Johnson has "always supported devolution". "What he does feel strongly, and I would agree, is that devolution in Scotland has facilitated the rise of separatism and nationalism in the form of the SNP, and that that's trying to break apart the United Kingdom," he told BBC Breakfast. "Anybody, like the prime minister, who loves the UK wants to keep it together thinks that that's a very, very dangerous and disappointing outcome that we need to battle against." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54965585 Boris decided that the EU was the enemy he would use as a tool to get power. With a disaster of no deal Brexit he has moved on to a new enemy. Who next? will he have Wessex and Mercia fighting over the last potato!

17th November 2020, 04:02 AM	#339
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	From Sky News Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says devolution has been "misused" in Scotland by the SNP 'to drive a wedge between people who are ultimately part of the same country'.

17th November 2020, 04:12 AM	#340
Carrot Flower King Muse Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 536	Originally Posted by Vixen Doh_! Of course, they are Mackems. And you can sod off with that one too!

17th November 2020, 04:19 AM	#341
Carrot Flower King Muse Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 536	Originally Posted by Lothian In 2019 last time Exams were properly sat the local Comp had 80% of A level students getting A or B compared to 60% at Durham While Durham School just pipped another comp and the Catholic school it is not even the best private school. Durham High school for girls which has a similar number of pupils had better A levels. As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. The freak will fit right in there Very much this! 'S been like that pretty much all my life (I'm in my early 60s) - even some of the staff at Durham School wouldn't send their lads there, but to one of the then state grammars (the 2 comps Lothian refers to).

17th November 2020, 05:10 AM	#342
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop That their minor school was actually a 'good' school. Getting in to a 'top' school isn't about difficulty, it's about money and influence. To get into Durham School you have to pass an entrance exam. I'll tell you what are 'minor public schools' and they would be the ones my father - who was a real snob - sent my brothers from another marriage to. You won't have heard of them unless you live in Greater Manchester or Staffordshire and he was only an area manager for Plessey in those days. Has to be said though that they did all right as a result, gaining electronics type degrees and graduating eventually from Sandhurst to get high up in the army by passing ever more exams. I myself went to the local - supposedly Direct Grant, although I don't think anyone paid anything - grammar school. I had heard of Durham school and I recall now that it was well-known for beefy sporting types who get into prestigious unis on the strength of their performance on the playing fields. Dominic Cummings looks like he is good at sprinting!
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

17th November 2020, 05:13 AM	#343
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Boris Johnson 'called Scottish devolution disaster' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54965585 Boris decided that the EU was the enemy he would use as a tool to get power. With a disaster of no deal Brexit he has moved on to a new enemy. Who next? will he have Wessex and Mercia fighting over the last potato! He has to face the 1922 committee and explain why his Brexit plans are driving a divided kingdom.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

17th November 2020, 05:42 AM	#344
Lothian should be banned Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Earth, specifically the crusty bit on the outside Posts: 15,944	Originally Posted by Vixen To get into Durham School you have to pass an entrance exam. No, you just need to pay a fee. If you want an academic scholarship you have to sit an exam but not otherwise.

17th November 2020, 05:52 AM	#345
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,259	Originally Posted by Lothian No, you just need to pay a fee. If you want an academic scholarship you have to sit an exam but not otherwise. The fees look quite steep to me. Surely no wealthy parent would send their kid there without a view of their little Dom eventually getting a place at a redbrick uni? Quote: Day Pupil Years 7-8 £4,972 £14,916 [Term Fee/Annual Fee] Day Pupil Years 9-13 £5,331 £15,993 Weekly Boarder Years 7-8 £7,947 £23,841 Weekly Boarder Years 9-13 £9,686 £29,058 Full Boarder Years 7-8 £9,238 £27,714 Full Boarder Years 9-13 £10,855 £32,565 Dominic Cummings has gone but don't imagine he is cloth cap and braces for a second. ETA: This seems to hint that most pupils get a scholarship because of academic ability, as Johnson did at Eton.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på! Last edited by Vixen; 17th November 2020 at 05:54 AM.

17th November 2020, 05:53 AM	#346
Pixel42 Schrödinger's cat Join Date: May 2004 Location: Malmesbury, UK Posts: 12,849	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Who next? will he have Wessex and Mercia fighting over the last potato! I'm Wessex born and bred and I'm fed up with being dictated to by the bureaucrats up in London. I vote to leave the UK, close our borders to the immigrant Londoners (and of course all other foreigners, especially the Mercians) and reclaim our sovereignty. King Athelstan is buried a couple of miles from here, I'm sure he must have a descendant living near by we could put in charge. What could possibly go wrong?
	__________________ "If you trust in yourself ... and believe in your dreams ... and follow your star ... you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things" - Terry Pratchett

17th November 2020, 06:05 AM	#347
quadraginta Becoming Beth Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Vale of Humility (USA, sort of) Posts: 26,138	Originally Posted by Pixel42 I'm Wessex born and bred and I'm fed up with being dictated to by the bureaucrats up in London. I vote to leave the UK, close our borders to the immigrant Londoners (and of course all other foreigners, especially the Mercians) and reclaim our sovereignty. King Athelstan is buried a couple of miles from here, I'm sure he must have a descendant living near by we could put in charge. What could possibly go wrong? One of John Steinbeck's lesser known works is a book titled The Short Reign of Pippin IV. It is a delightful exercise which begins with a premise much like the above highlighted. Well worth a read. A bit on the lighthearted side compared to much of Steinbeck, but not without his usual social reflection.
	__________________ "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep." "Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation."

17th November 2020, 08:05 AM	#348
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,998	Originally Posted by Pixel42 I'm Wessex born and bred and I'm fed up with being dictated to by the bureaucrats up in London. I vote to leave the UK, close our borders to the immigrant Londoners (and of course all other foreigners, especially the Mercians) and reclaim our sovereignty. King Athelstan is buried a couple of miles from here, I'm sure he must have a descendant living near by we could put in charge. What could possibly go wrong? I mean, it's happening to Kent, so why not?
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

17th November 2020, 09:11 AM	#349
Wudang BOFH Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: People's Republic of South Yorkshire Posts: 13,385	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim I mean, it's happening to Kent, so why not? Side note, if you don't follow Donald the Unready you might want to check him out.
	__________________ "Your deepest pools, like your deepest politicians and philosophers, often turn out more shallow than expected." Walter Scott.

17th November 2020, 10:42 AM	#350
RolandRat Muse Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 864	Originally Posted by Lothian As I mentioned if you child has behavioural issues or struggles to relate to and interact with others, perhaps he will be bullied in a normal school, then Durham School is where to send your little Dominic. The freak will fit right in there Bit harsh.
RolandRat Muse Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 864

17th November 2020, 10:49 AM	#351
Nessie Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 12,917	I just worked out my old school fees as if had just finished there now, having arrived in Primary 3 and left in 6th Year. £97,467.
	__________________ Audiophile/biker/sceptic

17th November 2020, 02:08 PM	#353
Mojo Mostly harmless Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nor Flanden Posts: 33,588	Originally Posted by Vixen From being the Garden of England... “If England is a garden, we ought to have more manure.” - Noel Coward.
	__________________ "You got to use your brain." - McKinley Morganfield "The poor mystic homeopaths feel like petted house-cats thrown at high flood on the breaking ice." - Leon Trotsky

17th November 2020, 02:12 PM	#354
Mojo Mostly harmless Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nor Flanden Posts: 33,588	Originally Posted by Vixen Cummings himself went on to study Ancient History at Exeter (another Uni teeming with ex-public school) a totally useless subject for running the country as is Johnson's Classics. At least people like Hancock did PPE which is relevant to his job. It wasn’t the sort of PPE that’s relevant to his current job.
	__________________ "You got to use your brain." - McKinley Morganfield "The poor mystic homeopaths feel like petted house-cats thrown at high flood on the breaking ice." - Leon Trotsky Last edited by Mojo; 17th November 2020 at 02:13 PM.

18th November 2020, 05:01 AM	#355
Carrot Flower King Muse Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 536	Originally Posted by Vixen The fees look quite steep to me. Surely no wealthy parent would send their kid there without a view of their little Dom eventually getting a place at a redbrick uni? Dominic Cummings has gone but don't imagine he is cloth cap and braces for a second. ETA: This seems to hint that most pupils get a scholarship because of academic ability, as Johnson did at Eton. As I said before, but I'll say it again more plainly: I was at primary school with kids who could not pass Durham's equivalent of the 11+ to get into the local state grammar school (the one I went to) and were sent to Durham School as they could pass the one entry requirement, which is the size of their parents' bank balance - no entry exams, 'cos the little Herberts couldn't have passed them anyway. And some of the parents didn't want their precious little Sebastians associating with lower middle class scum like me (parents are physios? How uncouth!), let alone the bairns who came from the surrounding pit villages, but were bright enough to get in. Yes, that sort of snobbery was (still is for all I know) rampant in Durham then. And the state grammars still got more bairns into universities... I know exactly where Cummings grew up (go south on the old Great North Road, past where the Cock of the North used to be, but don't go as far as Sunderland Bridge; if you hit Croxdale, you've definitely gone too far): next to no-one from Durham City was "belt and braces", 'cos it's always been a pretty middle class city, dominated by the cathedral, the university, hospitals and county council...

18th November 2020, 08:49 AM	#356
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,397	Durham City has quite a bit of the Oxbridge 'Town and Gown' about it. Most of the centre is student accommodation and pubs and bars catering to them. Surrounding the centre are council and housing association estates. There is quite a lot of poverty and unemployment in the area.