Another product of the Grammar School system, in my case the Marling School in Stroud. Good traditional school, I enjoyed my time there, but they were absolutely hopeless at career guidance if you didn't have Oxbridge/Civil Service in your sights. But plenty of decent teachers (albeit with a fair few crusty old psychopaths) and they did a good job of teaching critical thinking.
I'm quite hesitant when mentioning this, as successful execution is important, as is a need for flexibility in movement between types of school, but is there a need to go back to the 60's and 70's policy of secondary mods with more emphasis on producing the skill sets so necessary to our economy, the builders, plumbers electricians and the Grammar schools more equipped for those more academically qualified. I say this as someone who passed the 11+ and 13+ exams and ( with quite a few others) could not find a Grammar School place in the catchment area as there weren't enough places and class sizes were often already in excess of 40 and preference was given to the junior school pupils associated with the Grammar school.
We appeared back then to be more capable of producing thru the secondary mods schools and technical colleges the skill sets so necessary to offer students a trade/career path most suited to their abilities and the country's needs. Some will quite rightly claim its was fundamentally a discriminating system. However, I would balance that with what some may consider the undue pressure placed on students to go to university often to no real economic advantage. Case in point two of my nieces have completed PHD's entered the work force at 28 and 29 years of age with massive student debts, one is following her chosen career path but yet to earn £20k a year the other couldn't get a job in her chosen career and became a self employed dog groomer and is reeling the money in.
Colin your post was well timed and exemplified my point .
