everyone seems to feel the need to declare to the world they're from a state comp

No. This isn't about smearing each other, it's about recognising that going to a state comprehensive and getting very good grades is harder than going to a grammar/private. It doesn't detract from your achievements just because you went to a private school. Conversely, it bolsters a comp students application so that they can compete on a level playing field.

I put it to you - prove to me that getting into a private/grammar doesn't improve your chances significantly of achieving better grades (ignoring extreme examples)? You can't, because it does. Then shouldn't all students from state comp's be allowed a level playing field? Please don't make it out to appear that comp school kids are at an unfair advantage or that private/grammar school kids are at a disadvantage.

Oh don't get me wrong, I do believe in a level playing field and I do believe in allowing for any disadvantages based on education when assessing someone's acheivements. What I don't believe in is prejudice, or judgement. In my post I didn't say that no-one from a state comp should be allowed to state that fact and have it considered when applying to universities, jobs etc - there is no reason why they shouldn't. What I went off on a rant about () was the fact that purely because we can allow for a possible disadvantage due to a poor education doesn't mean that those who had a good education are automatically arrogant or stupid. I don't think we're really talking about the same thing here.

(and it winds *me* up personally when people feel the need to say they went to a comp. but that's in exactly the same way as it winds me up if people feel the need to add that they had a ****ty teacher at a private school/hayfever all through their exams/any other reason for their grades. when applying to university/jobs etc I believe in a meritocracy but if you want to boast sometimes your acheivements gotta stand alone )

I was trying to make the point that grammar school kids always seem to make the point that they're state educated, and didn't pay for their grades. They make it out to be a struggle to get into Oxbridge between state and independent schools, when in reality grammar schools do have marginally better results than independent schools (I do have facts to back this up).

Basically, grammar schools kids aren't innocent when it comes to things like this.

Happy?

Do you not think that the results can be attributed to the selective nature of the schools? Cleverer individuals will get better results on average, so it may have nothing to do with quality of teaching.

In which case, why go private in the first place?!

It's an achievement wherever you have been-state or grammar school-to gain good grades. Too much emphasis is placed on the school being responsible for pupils gaining grades; as a teacher, it really irritates me when people and pupils think that they are something special for doing well just because they are at a comp. You should be doing well if you are working hard!!! It shouldn't be a big deal that you've done well just because you were at a comprehensive; if you work hard then you will do well.

I know that teaching can make a difference, but as far as I am concerned if your teachers aren't great you should take responsibility and strive to do your best-my teachers weren't that great/were never in etc, but I took responsibility, and gained top grades.

Yes, obviously most students who try hard will do well (some won't). But you are putting too much emphasis on the teaching. The reason going to a comp is so hard is the overall anti-learning environment. It makes it very hard to achieve good grades.

One of the reasons we announce it is so we distance ourselves from those typical private school students everyone sees and everyone hates. I live in a pretty posh area , my family's not doing too badly (probably could afford private school fees for 3 children but would mean cutting back on a lot) But I'm not like them!!! All blond and tanned and with short scruffy hair!! Girls hair all long and messy!! It worse in the mornings and at 4 oclock!!! 4 by 4s every where!!!! God damm and the mothers theres something about their voice!!!


But to be fair I know few older private school students so either there hidden or there not complete freaks. Must be just when their young or middle aged.

If you go to a private school, you're more likely to think you're in with a shot at Oxbridge than someone who has spent their life in some **** school where hardly anyone goes to any university. I know that I thought that Oxbridge was a place solely for the very best of privileged geniuses, and my school is quite good. It's more of a shock to them to actually be there if they've never even considered they had a chance of being accepted. To many people the place has a sort of mysticism about it.

If you had ever been to a private school you would know there are no such things as "typical private school students". And that they generally are not posh at all.

Oh don't kid yourself, there defiantly is a "typical private school student". I'm not saying that there all like that, but a significant amount are. There is a definite look.