The Student Room Group

7% of the Britsih population is privately educated, but they get 60% of the TOP jobs.

Scroll to see replies

Reply 20
Original post by thegaffer91
Hasn't anyone thought that there may be a genetic influence here?

If people are rich, chances are it is because they are very clever. If not clever, then have some talent, like sport or music. Even if you don't agree that these people should be paid highly, the people who consume their services do, and it would be horrendous for the public sector to meddle in private sector wages (although this is another debate altogether).

Of all the very rich people in the world, not many don't deserve it. This is often passed down through their genes to their children and grandchildren, meaning they are also very intelligent people. Going to a private school simply enhances this natural intelligence, allowing them to use it to the full potential. Even if they didn't get the best education (except maybe if they were in one of the worst schools in the country), many of them would probably still make it into one of these top jobs. Surely it is better to try to move the standard of the worst off upwards rather than prevent those at the top from getting too far ahead of the others?

I don't understand why people are so against the private schools. People may see this as the 1% screwing everyone over again by getting a better education than us, but think of it in this way. These are the people who contribute by far the most to tax revenue, which pay for schools, hospitals, benefits and welfare etc. However, if they are privately educated and go to a private doctor, they use far far less in government resources than the average person, and the difference is even more astonishing when you consider how much more they provide to the public purse than the average person.


The rich are genetically more clever? Thats one of the most elitist things I've ever heard. Why is it then that most private school students only achieve the same grades as me, a state schooled student, despite having an education worth tens of thousand of pounds? Doesn't sound very genetically clever to me.

Not suprised at all that this got negged. Most of the people on here probably are private schooled.
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 21
hmm, I wonder how much of that is due to nepotism, and how much is due to private education being better (generally).

although I do find it quite odd that people think it is completely unacceptable that people get into good jobs because of connections their rich parents have. I mean, I work saturdays in my dads shop, and nobody thinks that is wrong. but were he an investment banker or something, him giving me a job would be considered a unfair advantage.for some reason it isn't considered nepotism if you are working class. not to say nepotism is ok, but in a lot of cases it isn't as wrong as people make out. you can hardly expect a millionaire to send their child to the local comp
Original post by THECHOOSENONE
I'm gob-smacked really. Just read a disgusting stat, that states that, 7% of people our privately educated in this country, but they make up 60% of the top jobs in this county ranging from, financial services, The law basically high end jobs.

Now I know the snobs will just tell me that they our well educated and deserve all they get, well sir in my opinion it shows just how much of a unfair divide exists between the upper classes and the ordinary folk.

I have no respect for the silver spooned that rub their privilege in peoples faces. I have all respect for the self made but not snobs. Anyway this stat highlights the considerable troubles that hurt society :mad::mad:


No all people who go to private schools are snobs or "silver spooned." Of course there are the top, rather elite boarding schools but then there are others which are for specialist reasons and which cater to those who have learning difficulties. That's the sort of private school I went to. 75% of the school (whose population rarely rised above 250) had dyslexia or some other learning difficulty. It catered to them.
I don't think it's as clear cut as saying "the rich can afford private school and it's unfair" because there are many reasons why a person might send their child to private school. Learning difficulties is one.


Original post by The Doggfather
you dont have to be rich to go to a private school


This
Yup, but unfortunately it doesn't look like it'll be changing any time soon...
Reply 24
Hello, I go to private school.


I am on a scholarship and am not upper class.


....

Spanner in your grand theory? Considering 25% of my year are on some sort of scholarship program?
Reply 25
Original post by THECHOOSENONE
I'm gob-smacked really. Just read a disgusting stat, that states that, 7% of people our privately educated in this country, but they make up 60% of the top jobs in this county ranging from, financial services, The law basically high end jobs.

Now I know the snobs will just tell me that they our well educated and deserve all they get, well sir in my opinion it shows just how much of a unfair divide exists between the upper classes and the ordinary folk.

I have no respect for the silver spooned that rub their privilege in peoples faces. I have all respect for the self made but not snobs. Anyway this stat highlights the considerable troubles that hurt society :mad::mad:


so because their parents have suceeded in life and have made money to send them to good school they should be punished? please grow up, this is nothing but the ramblings of a jealous so and so.
you do realise that private schools arent populated by the 'upper classes' right?
you get what youre given in life, just happens they got lucky whilst people like you get pissy because their parents havent done anything worthwhile in life.


edit: seems theres a lot of jealous people on here :rolleyes:
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by jamie092
Why is this surprising? Private education costs money for a reason. It's not necessarily that the standard of education is higher (it some cases it isn't) but you get to know the right people and learn certain work ethics.


That was pretty much my deciding point on going to university. The industry that I wish to work in doesn't really need a degree, but it has the right people, who can point you in the right direction
Reply 27
Original post by Steevee
So the people with the best education who are groomed for a life in certain industries do well in those industries?

Well knock me down and call me a goose.

:colonhash:


im going to knock you down and call you goose
In my opinion it has much much more to do with parenting than schooling. I have never been privately educated and went to a local school yet i have now have a "top" job. I blame my mum for bothering to care about my future and education. Those figures will change when the attitudes of society change - not to a different % of private/state school students, but when society values education and social maturity...right now more kids at private school realise the value of doing well at a young age, whereas more young people in state school have other priorities.
Reply 29
source please
Reply 30
"Top jobs"? A little vague but I'm not surprised.

Private school kids have better opportunities, more support, more money to participate in extra-curricular activities, more encouragement from parents, a much much larger circle of well educated people around them who contribute to personal development, schools have more ties with universities, more everything... read Malcolm Gladwell for further details :P

Using "connections" as a means to hate on private school kids is barely even relevant in the modern climate. Yes it is useful for work experience pre-uni or in summer placements but in order to get the graduate job, you still need to get top A-levels, go to a top uni and get a first - the number of people getting a "top job" through connections at that level is minimal.
Original post by thegaffer91
Hasn't anyone thought that there may be a genetic influence here?

If people are rich, chances are it is because they are very clever. If not clever, then have some talent, like sport or music. Even if you don't agree that these people should be paid highly, the people who consume their services do, and it would be horrendous for the public sector to meddle in private sector wages (although this is another debate altogether).

Of all the very rich people in the world, not many don't deserve it. This is often passed down through their genes to their children and grandchildren, meaning they are also very intelligent people. Going to a private school simply enhances this natural intelligence, allowing them to use it to the full potential. Even if they didn't get the best education (except maybe if they were in one of the worst schools in the country), many of them would probably still make it into one of these top jobs. Surely it is better to try to move the standard of the worst off upwards rather than prevent those at the top from getting too far ahead of the others?

I don't understand why people are so against the private schools. People may see this as the 1% screwing everyone over again by getting a better education than us, but think of it in this way. These are the people who contribute by far the most to tax revenue, which pay for schools, hospitals, benefits and welfare etc. However, if they are privately educated and go to a private doctor, they use far far less in government resources than the average person, and the difference is even more astonishing when you consider how much more they provide to the public purse than the average person.



You obviously haven't studied anthropology.
Original post by cl_steele
so because their parents have suceeded in life and have made money to send them to good school they should be punished? please grow up, this is nothing but the ramblings of a jealous so and so.
you do realise that private schools arent populated by the 'upper classes' right?
you get what youre given in life, just happens they got lucky whilst people like you get pissy because their parents havent done anything worthwhile in life.


Not that I support his mad ramblings which obviously stem out of jealousy than anything else, but I don't think private schools should exist for one simple reasons: education shouldn't cost money. Instead, aim to improve all public sector schools to the highest possible standards.

It has nothing to do with rich or poor but with opportunities (the reason I highlighted the word opportunities is because some people might have the absurd idea that people who go to private schools are smarter/deserve better education. With the same opportunities, the people who really are smarter will go to the top regardless), because I am fully aware that you don't have to be a millionaire to attend a private sector school. However, your parents are the ones who decide which school you attend. I'm a person who firmly believes that parents' decisions shouldn't affect the children's future.
Reply 33
Just a couple points.

First, it's hardly surprising that 7% take up 60% of the top jobs. If an employer is looking to hire someone then they are going to want somebody with the best qualifications possible for the post. And as you've stated, unsurprisingly the majority of those people are those who have access to the best schooling and best universities and have been in the school system for 2 decades. If they have those qualifications, it's because they have spent a fifth of their life studying for them. Whether that's because they have more money to access those schools (which is irrelevant because those from poorer backgrounds with high intelligence get scholarships) is irrelevant, they are still the most qualified. Just because you have access to the best schools doesn't suddenly make you bright and motivated. There are probably a few private schoolers who have loads of money pumped into their education but get nowhere because they don't have whatever mental faculties necessary for the top job market. The point I'm making is money doesn't equal intelligence.

Second, that means 40% of the all the top jobs go to people who aren't from private school backgrounds. 40% of all the best jobs go to people who might not necessarily come from a background with lots of cash or access to the best facilities. If you think about it, that's a huge statistic. 40% of all 'good' jobs are taken up by those who have broken into the pack with motivation and intelligence.
I think it's an outrage that well-educated people should get good jobs. Send them to the salt mines, I say! Prepare for the illiteratorcracy!
Reply 35
Original post by ali7861012
im going to knock you down and call you goose


Sounds like fun :colonhash:
Reply 36
So, privatise all education. Drives up standards across the board.
It's not what you know it's who you know....

These rich families aren't all rich from winning the lottery, they own companies. How do you think people get jobs.

Another example is the kardashian family, this guy had Kim behind his back to plough thousands into a sock business, which has took off fast and he's making loads of money.

And they're not TOP jobs, they're highest paying jobs.
The only way to prevent that is to ban private education. Seems pretty self-righteous to me to say that just because someone can afford better education - it's morally reprehensible to take advantage of that.

Plus, if you want us to live in a meritocracy where those with the best skills get the best jobs then you can't say that privately educated students are usurping jobs from state school students. If they are getting a better education then it stands to reason that they are going to be better educated -- compare private school exam results to state school and it is clear that a larger percentage of the students will leave school better qualified and educated.

State school students can still excel to the same level as any private school children but I think private schools help those less naturally intelligent/determined students pull themselves up by their boostraps. Students in the state school system find it much easier to sit on their hands and get by on the bare minimum (or not get by at all) but those who want to study hard or who have natural ability will always have the opportunity to succeed.
These people may have gone to private school but it isnt all given to them, to get top jobs you do need good skills and to work hard. I'm not sure what you mean by top jobs but it is likely that people in top jobs left school 30 or 40 years ago and things have changed a lot since then.

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Trending