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Is the culture at Camden School for Girls Sixth Form the same?

I made this post out of curiosity regarding the culture at CSG sixth form, being an alumni of it.

I began my A levels at CSG nearly ten years ago, and having spent two years there, I think about my unfavourable experiences every now and then as a ethnic minority, working class student from the area. If I had known how excluded I would feel, I would definitely not have attended! There was a point half-way through my first year where I considered leaving because I felt so lonely.

There seemed to be a network of privately educated kids who came from outside the borough and attended the sixth form, and made up the majority of the cohort. It was very cliquey.

Now there is nothing wrong with being a minority, but when multiple people are made to feel excluded, there is something seriously wrong. I spoke to a couple of girls during my time at CSG and after the fact, who were working class (both white and ethnic minorities), who felt the same way as I do. Therefore, I know it wasn't all in my head.

An example of an experience I had - myself and my friend, both of us minorities, had sat down in assembly at the beginning of a row of seats. The next students to arrive had began to sit in the row directly behind us - no one wanted to sit next to us! When all the other rows had been filled, people started to finally fill in the seat in our row. Myself and my friend both noticed this and looked at each other as if to say - 'are you seeing this ****?'

I had never felt more out of place, yet more invisible, in my life. I know I could be quite introverted, but even when I did try and make an effort with people, it was as if I was an alien. Most people just didn't know how to talk to me, what to say, or just did not want to make an effort to get to know me. Yet, CSG is in a very diverse area of London in terms of race and wealth. I am not the only one who felt this way.

The biggest irony was that there were many young boys, who were very evidently from privileged backgrounds, who pretended to be something they weren't - (walked with a limp, spoke with a 'road' accent with full trackies, sold weed despite growing up with money etc.).

The same people who are the first to preach about liberal ideas and inclusivity, were the same people who wouldn't acknowledge my existence.

All these years and it frustrates my that no one really talks about it. So I just want to know, is there anyone who has or is attending the sixth form that has the same experiences? Or if not, but you did attend the sixth form, can I have another perspective?

It is also a warning to those who are thinking of attending the sixth form and who are working class to not do so, if you actually want to enjoy your studies and make friends.

Reply 1

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Hi, I've just started there, and it's safe to say that it's very similar, and I know this because I'm part of a 'clique'. I come from a working class, ethnic background, but having been raised around the types of people that go to Camden, I think I fit in more with them then I do people of my actual background. Everything is about the way you dress and how outgoing you are (and they won't say it, or they will, how pretty you are) - really how you appear when you first meet people.

I think its not overtly about race, its just that those who are less fortunate tend to not dress and act in a way the Camden students approve of, and the cultural division is really evident - drinking, smoking, drugs, this sort of hedonism that posh people can afford. I'm lucky because mum is very fashion concerned and worries about her appearance - it's ingrained in me. We have money for nice things, but we are not stable. And her friends are mostly middle class. So again, rich ethnic people who are attractive have no trouble fitting in and being 'known'. Girls (and guys) who are considered weird, uncool, or unattractive are flat out ignored, in a way that almost feels conscious. And it is because I catch myself and people around me thinking similar thoughts - can't talk to them, don't want to talk to them, they look weird. Also, everyone kind of knows each other from different schools - I don't know if this was your experience, but if you didn't get invited to parties in main school then there's a high chance you will find that friendship groups have already been made. I love Camden, my best friends are there, and I'm fortunate to have had a good experience, but I see how awful some of the people who have been lovely to me are to others. I learned how to be part of this very specific, middle class urbanite stupid culture from a young age and it's the only reason I'm doing ok. I'm sorry it was so rough for you. I hope you got a good education and got out.

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