DOCSLIB.ORG

The Staff at Shrewsbury Are of Rare Quality, Combining

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Staff at Shrewsbury Are of Rare Quality, Combining I NTRODUCT I ON “The staff at Shrewsbury are of rare quality, combining their academic strength with a “ For us at Shrewsbury real desire to teach and develop the pupils.” the celebration of Parent individuals and individual talents is where true education begins.” Mark Turner – Headmaster I am delighted to anticipate welcoming you to Shrewsbury is a great school, combining a long Shrewsbury School. tradition of values and beliefs with an innovative and dynamic view of the future. For over 450 Shrewsbury is an ancient school, which for almost years the alchemy of brilliant teaching, genuine five centuries has been refining and evolving the care and joint endeavour has nurtured young quality of the education that it offers. We aim men and women of poise and ideas who have to provide a rigorous approach to learning, an left their mark in a thousand different fields. extraordinary variety of extra-curricular activities, personal pastoral support and an environment We are fortunate to enjoy one of the most that encourages young men and women to grow beautiful and well-equipped schools in the country, in understanding and become caring, thoughtful where your sons and daughters will develop so and confident members of society. that they leave Shrewsbury with the aim of making a real difference to the communities in which they At Shrewsbury we appreciate the trust that you will will work and live. Along the way we hope that be placing in us. We know that choosing the right they will cement strong friendships... and have fun. school can be a daunting process, one in which the emotional investment and financial commitment is considerable. At the same time we believe the rewards provided by inspirational teaching and the opportunity to live and learn within a community that is both challenging and supportive are immeasurable. T HE S I TE “ The most beautiful playing fields in the world, spreading and mingling imperceptibly with the pastureland of Shropshire.” Sir Neville Cardus, staff member, writer and cricket correspondent High above a gracious curve of the River Severn, The school buildings surround the grounds as the School occupies a commanding position. a village does its green. We are lucky to enjoy Look one way to the heart of the medieval town wide horizons, immaculate playing fields and below; look the other, and the hills of Shropshire well-tended gardens and, like their surroundings, remind us that we are in one of the most beautiful Salopians have the reputation for being open, parts of England. generous and far-sighted. This brings many advantages: the grounds are safe and secure; pupils can walk into town in ten minutes when they have free time; the countryside and hills all around offer countless opportunities for walking, canoeing, rock-climbing, field trips and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions; our rowers are at the boathouse in under two minutes. Shrewsbury School Founded by Royal Charter in 1552 O UR P HIL O S op HY “They encourage you to be ambitious but “ I think Shrewsbury is a place where you most of all to find the can really be yourself and where everyone’s right thing for you.” Pupil personality has a place.” Sixth Form girl Two statues at Shrewsbury sum up our educational Both combined rare talent with humility and a philosophy – those of Charles Darwin and Sir Philip strong conviction of service to their fellow human Sidney, both former pupils and icons for generations beings. This is what we seek to imbue in our pupils. of Salopians. We will welcome your son or daughter into our Sidney – diplomat, courtier, soldier, poet – a man community, discover where his or her talents lie, with breadth of vision and ability, symbolises nurture them, and give them the self-confidence courtesy, compassion and generosity of spirit. to achieve far more than they or you might have Darwin stands for enquiry, dedication and thought possible. They may be a specialist like intellectual rigour. Darwin or an all-rounder like Sidney. We will find out. Sir Philip Sidney (1554-86) Former pupil T HE C LASSROOM “Education is about personal relationships... the age old themes of the individual and society, Michael Charlesworth (1919-2008) the right to be oneself.” Former pupil, Member of staff, Senior Master, “Over my five years Secretary of Old Salopian Club Our pupils achieve such impressive results that The central curriculum is supported by a wide at Shrewsbury I some parents believe our intake must be variety of academic and cultural activities. Lectures, academically highly selective. In fact, we recruit debates and art exhibitions complement visits to have always felt pupils across the ability range. Our Oxbridge entry concerts, plays and galleries. Competitions, essay record, averaging around 15 places a year, places prizes and academic societies stock the mind, that I have been us in the very top bracket of schools nationally. stimulate interest and develop true learning. But we are just as proud of the less academic pushed to the best pupils who surpass expectations as we are of Outside the classroom, your son those who secure a host of A* grades at A Level. or daughter will have time for real of my abilities.” conversation – with friends, teachers, We believe that education goes way beyond the pastoral and support staff. This is Pupil criteria published by exam boards. Teachers at education at Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury are passionate about their subjects. Their enthusiasm, hard work and care for their pupils exceed the call of duty. We want Salopians to learn Lord Rees of Ludlow to think for themselves and grow in independence (former pupil, 1956-60) Astronomer Royal, Master as they prepare for university and beyond. of Trinity College, Cambridge and President of the Royal Society T HE H OU S E S “ This is a ‘happy ship’ and that is due to the lead given by the staff and the caring attitude that is instilled in the pupils.” Parent There are thirteen houses at Shrewsbury: from such as sport, drama and music, learning to take September 2017, there will be seven boys’ responsibility for themselves and others. boarding houses, two dayboys’ houses and four girls’ houses for both boarders and daygirls. They The housemaster or housemistress will be a crucial each accommodate about sixty pupils between the figure, giving sound advice when necessary and ages of 13 and 18. But the houses offer more than encouraging pupils to build a rich and varied life at accommodation; they are the centre of each pupil’s Shrewsbury. He or she will also be keen to keep daily life, the very community to which they belong. in regular contact with you. The house will be a real home, somewhere to The housemaster or housemistress is supported by relax and make friends, as well as work. It is a an assistant, a resident matron and a team of tutors, place where each pupil can feel free to be who will all get to know your son or daughter well. him or herself, where individuals flourish and The rapport between the pupils and the men and where the relationship between age groups women who look after them is based on a blend is natural and easy. Pupils become intensely loyal of informality, trust and mutual respect, which we to their houses and contribute to house activities, believe is very special to us at Shrewsbury. P ER S ONAL T UTOR I NG / C HA P EL “ The pastoral care is exemplary. The staff generate a sense of community which then expands in the mind of every pupil into a personal consideration for Personal Tutoring The Chapel the rights of others.” Parent When it comes to pastoral care, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury is a Church of England foundation, and strongly believes in the personal touch. During Chapel retains its place at the heart of Salopian life. their first three years, all pupils have a personal We believe it is important to look after the spiritual tutor in their house who looks after them and needs of pupils, whatever their religious faith. takes a keen interest in their aspirations and Here, each week, the whole school spends time, for achievements, their progress and any problems worship, private prayer, or simply peaceful reflection. they may encounter. Formally and informally, tutors get to know their tutees very well. Salopians attend Chapel each Sunday morning and Your child will receive excellent personal, once during the week. They often take a leading academic and pastoral support. role, reading, performing or singing in the flourishing Chapel Choir. Late Sunday evening candle-lit services, Sixth Formers need very particular advice and when all are relaxed at the end of the weekend, are support in developing personal enthusiasms, sometimes held in place of the morning service. making the transition to A level, and selecting the The whole community values these occasions, right university and career. With this in mind, we which carry a very special atmosphere of their own. ask each Sixth Former to choose a teacher to be a tutor and personal mentor. He or she will look The School welcomes pupils of all faiths or after your son's or daughter’s academic welfare, none, and encourages attendance at appropriate helping them to develop their abilities and places of worship. achieve their full potential. S P ORT “ Back passes to the goalkeeper were my speciality; indeed I scored my only goal this way, a back pass lofted high into the top corner of the net.” Michael Palin CBE (former pupil, 1957-61) We are passionate about sport. We are firm in Girls train and compete locally and nationally in our belief that sport is part of a balanced hockey, netball, tennis, fives, rowing, lacrosse, cricket education and therefore encourage every Salopian and cross-country.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Decolonising Knowledge
    DECOLONISING KNOWLEDGE Expand the Black Experience in Britain’s heritage “Drawing on his personal web site Chronicleworld.org and digital and print collection, the author challenges the nation’s information guardians to “detoxify” their knowledge portals” Thomas L Blair Commentaries on the Chronicleworld.org Users value the Thomas L Blair digital collection for its support of “below the radar” unreported communities. Here is what they have to say: Social scientists and researchers at professional associations, such as SOSIG and the UK Intute Science, Engineering and Technology, applaud the Chronicleworld.org web site’s “essays, articles and information about the black urban experience that invite interaction”. Black History Month archived Bernie Grant, Militant Parliamentarian (1944-2000) from the Chronicleworld.org Online journalists at the New York Times on the Web nominate THE CHRONICLE: www.chronicleworld.org as “A biting, well-written zine about black life in Britain” and a useful reference in the Arts, Music and Popular Culture, Technology and Knowledge Networks. Enquirers to UK Directory at ukdirectory.co.uk value the Chronicleworld.org under the headings Race Relations Organisations promoting racial equality, anti- racism and multiculturalism. Library”Govt & Society”Policies & Issues”Race Relations The 100 Great Black Britons www.100greatblackbritons.com cites “Chronicle World - Changing Black Britain as a major resource Magazine addressing the concerns of Black Britons includes a newsgroup and articles on topical events as well as careers, business and the arts. www.chronicleworld.org” Editors at the British TV Channel 4 - Black and Asian History Map call the www.chronicleworld.org “a comprehensive site full of information on the black British presence plus news, current affairs and a rich archive of material”.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change Scepticism: a Transnational Ecocritical Analysis
    Garrard, Greg. "Climate Scepticism in the UK." Climate Change Scepticism: A Transnational Ecocritical Analysis. By Greg GarrardAxel GoodbodyGeorge HandleyStephanie Posthumus. London,: Bloomsbury Academic, 2019. 41–90. Bloomsbury Collections. Web. 26 Sep. 2021. <http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781350057050.ch-002>. Downloaded from Bloomsbury Collections, www.bloomsburycollections.com, 26 September 2021, 23:43 UTC. Copyright © Greg Garrard, George Handley, Axel Goodbody and Stephanie Posthumus 2019. You may share this work for non-commercial purposes only, provided you give attribution to the copyright holder and the publisher, and provide a link to the Creative Commons licence. 2 Climate Scepticism in the UK Greg Garrard Before embarking on a detailed analysis of sceptical British texts, I will provide some historical and scholarly context. There have been many studies of anti- environmentalism in the United States (Helvarg; Brick; Ehrlich and Ehrlich; Switzer) and one on the global ‘backlash’ (Rowell), but none focuses exclusively on the UK. The sole treatment of anti-environmentalism within ecocriticism comes from the United States (Buell), just like the various exposés of climate scepticism discussed in the Introduction. As this chapter will show, British climate scepticism is possessed of a prehistory and some distinctive local features that reward closer inspection. Nevertheless, the Anglo-American axis of organized anti-environmentalism is obvious: British climate sceptics such as Christopher Monckton, James Delingpole and Nigel Lawson are darlings of the American conservative think tanks (CTTs) that promulgate sceptical perspectives, while Martin Durkin’s The Great Global Warming Swindle (2007), a British documentary shown on Channel 4, includes interviews with Richard Lindzen, Patrick Michaels and Fred Singer, all prominent American sceptics.
    [Show full text]
  • The News Quiz
    1/13/2004 The News Quiz Last Edited: 13-JAn-2004 Cast: AC = Alan Coren DQ = David Quantic JV = Jeremy Vine PJ = Phill Jupitus AH = Andy Hamilton DT = David Taylor JW = John Wells RB = Rory Bremner AI = Armando Iannucci EK = Emma Kennedy KA = Kate Adey RF = Rebecca Front AN = Andrew Nordsley EM = Eddie Mayer KR = Krishnan Ramamoorthy RH = Richard Herring AR = Andrew Rondsley EP = Eve Pollard KY = Kirstie Young RHY = Roy Hattersley AS = Alexei Sayle FmC = Fred Macauley LS = Linda Smith RI = Richard Ingrams BJ = Boris Johnson FW = Francis Wheen MB = Marcus Brigstocke RL = Rod Little BT = Barry Took, chair HH = Hattie Hayrich ML = Maureen Lipman SH = Simon Hoggart, chair BTY = Bill Tidy IH = Ian Hislop MP = Matthew Parris SmG = Sue McGregor CA = Clive Anderson JC = John Craven MS = Mark Steel SP = Steve Punt CK = Charles Kennedy JOF = John O’Farrell MST = Moira Stuart ST = Sandi Toksvig CC = Corrie Corfield JH = Jeremy Hardy NL = Nigella Lawson TH = Tony Hawks CW = Curtis Walker JN = John Nicholson PB = Peter Bradshaw TS = Tony Steele DA = David Aronvich JR = Jillian Reynolds PC = Peter Cook VS = Valerie Singleton DG= Doug Gordon JS = John Sergeant PH = Phil Hammond WR = Willie Rushton Newsreaders: BM = Brian Martin CG = Charlotte Green PD = Peter Donaldson BP = Brian Perkins HC = Harriet Cass RM = Rory Morison CC = Corrie Corfield KY = Katriona Young VS = Vaughan Savage Writers: DB = Debbie Burrough HR = Hugh Rycroft LC = Lucy Clarke SL = Simon Littlefield DC = Dave Cohen IP = Iain Pattinson NF = Nev Fountain TJ = Tom Jamieson FR = Felix
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering Willie Rushton Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    REMEMBERING WILLIE RUSHTON PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Willie Rushton | 1 pages | 05 Aug 2010 | BBC Audio, A Division Of Random House | 9781408466551 | English | London, United Kingdom Remembering Willie Rushton PDF Book Jon Naismith Editor ,. Other people have better lives than I do. Up Pompeii! Shuggie's mother Agnes walks a wayward path: she is Shuggie's guiding light but a burden for him and his siblings. Tim Brooke-Taylor Author Narrator ,. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. EG and Cindy Dambaugh. Crafted by ISOS. No catches, no fine print just unadulterated book loving, with your favourite books saved to your own digital bookshelf. Show all 10 episodes. His speech consisted of just three words - "The bugger's open! Which dino gets on well with children or adapts best to life in a city apartment? First Name. James Avery has everything to offer, including the favour of the newly restored King Charles II, and he believes that the warehouse's poor owner Alinor has the one thing his money cannot buy - his son and heir. Description Reviews 0 Career highlights from one of this country's funniest satirists and comedy men. Wild wood by Jan Needle Book 6 editions published between and in English and Undetermined and held by WorldCat member libraries worldwide A retelling of "The Wind in the Willows" as seen from the viewpoint of the Wild Wooders, whom the River Bankers despise and fear. McManus P Penguin Audio Cancel Delete comment. Blossom Dylan's assistant. But there's so much to think about and to prepare.
    [Show full text]
  • Dropzone Issue 2
    HARRI NGTO N AVIA TION MUSEUMS HARRINGTON AVIATION MUSEUMS V OLUME 9 I SSUE 2 THE DROPZONE W INTER 2011 Publisher: Fred West INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Schweinfurt (Cont.) 3 Editorial 7 REMEMBRANCE 2011 Rothwell School 7 On Sunday 13th November members and friends of Harrington Aviation Mu- School Pics. 8 seum Society gathered at the Carpetbagger Memorial to remember all those brave men and women who have given their lives in the cause of freedom. Christmas Dinner 10 The weather was kind and so the service was held in bright sunshine with a stiff breeze snapping the flags at the jack staff. The Reverend Doug Spencley, Obituary 12 curate of the Faxton Benefice officiated. This was the last time that Doug will take part in our remembrance service, as next year he will be moving on to take Quiz 13 charge of his own parish. We wish him well in this new venture. Tom Reeves wasn’t well enough to attend the service this year, but wreaths on behalf of Northamptonshire Aviation Society were laid by his son Jason, and granddaughter Amber. Roy Tebbutt laid a wreath on behalf of the Harrington Aviation Museum Soci- ety, and a wreath was presented by Harrington Parish Council. SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: On page three of this is- sue is published the sec- ond part of the article detailing the problems that faced Gen. Ira Eaker while he was establishing the U.S. Eighth Bomber Command in Great Brit- ain. There is an Obituary for Nancy Wake, SOE. Story and pictures of the annual Christmas Dinner and the guests who at- tended Ron Clarke lays the first wreath, to the memory of the Carpetbaggers P AGE 2 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2 Remembrance (cont.) Roy lays the HAMS wreath Chairs are provided for the comfort of the elderly After the service, everyone returned to the museum where light refreshments were served by Mrs Vera Tebbutt and her band of canteen helpers.
    [Show full text]
  • 05 Coldstream 1749.Indd
    NICOLAS COLDSTREAM John Nicolas Coldstream 1927–2008 NICOLAS COLDSTREAM was born in Lahore on 30 March 1927, only son of John Coldstream, whose career was spent in the judicial arm of the Indian Civil Service and whose mother (Phyllis née Hambly) was from a military family, Lancers not Coldstreams. His father was knighted in 1938 after retirement but stayed on as fi rst minister of Kapurthala state until 1939. On returning to England the family took up residence in St John’s Wood, moving in 1952 to 180 Ebury Street, SWl. Nicolas, as he was always known, though too often with an added ‘h’, was educated at prep school in Eastbourne, then as a King’s scholar at Eton. St Cyprian’s at Eastbourne had a lasting impression on him, and he concurred with the picture of the school given by Cyril Connolly in Enemies of Promise and George Orwell in ‘Such, such were the joys’. He was one of the fi rst Raj children to travel by air, just once, in 1938, and his fi rst publication was based on it—Croydon to Kapurthala. My First Flight (Kapurthala, Jagatjit Electric Press, 1938); the Maharajah was so impressed that he had it privately printed at his own expense. His fi rst view of the Athenian Akropolis was when the plane stopped to refuel on this journey. At Eton he had to choose between his two best subjects, Classics and Mathematics, and plumped for the former; he much respected his Tutor, Francis Cruso. His career took a not unusual step, from Eton to King’s College Cambridge, but not until he had done his National Service, 1945–8.
    [Show full text]
  • The Barriers Come Down: Antisemitism and Coalitions of Extremes in the Uk Anti-War Movement
    THE BARRIERS COME DOWN: ANTISEMITISM AND COALITIONS OF EXTREMES By Dave Rich These are strange times for the British far right. Long left alone on the political extremes where they obsessed about secret Jewish machinations behind every government policy, all of a sudden they think they have noticed the most unlikely people agreeing with them. The British National Party advised its members to read The Guardian for information about “the Zionist cabal around President Bush1”. Followers of the neo-Nazi Combat 18 have found themselves publicly supporting the President of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, while the National Front found itself in sympathy with Labour MP Tam Dalyell. No wonder John Tyndall, former leader of the British National Party, wrote gleefully that “certain things are coming out into the open which not long ago would have been tightly censored and suppressed…We are witnessing a gigantic conspiracy being unveiled2”. But are the antisemites of Britain’s far right correct in thinking that their view of a Jewish-controlled world is becoming accepted across the political spectrum? This excitement amongst Britain’s neo-Nazis has been fuelled by the widespread theory that the war in Iraq was devised and executed by pro-Israeli, mainly Jewish, neo-conservative lobbyists in Washington D.C.; that this is only one example of how American foreign policy has been hijacked by a Jewish or Zionist cabal; and that these neo-cons are pro-Israeli to the point that they did this not for the good of America, but purely for the interests of Israel and, by extension, Jews.
    [Show full text]
  • A Particular Take on Property ISSUE ONE
    A particular take on property ISSUE ONE ALL ABOUT YOUR AREA: A LOCAL PERSPECTIVE FROM STRUTT & PaRKER pp01-12_&Shrewsbury_Cover_des6.indd 3 29/08/2013 15:40 A particular take on property ISSUE ONE Welcome to &Shrewsbury, a magazine showcasing local properties and giving you a taste of the area. Strutt & Parker is one of the most Read on to find out more diverse property businesses in the UK, and Page 03 Insight: Strutt & Parker discusses the local market the Shrewsbury office is a focal point for Page 04 First & foremost: the hottest the wide range of departments and services properties and local highlights we offer. The residential team specialises Page 06 Portfolio: property showcase in selling a variety of properties across Page 08 Trends & analysis: expert Shrewsbury and the surrounding towns overview of the national market Page 09 Why Strutt & Parker? and villages, while Strutt & Parker also provides unrivalled expertise in farming, Page 10 Why we love Shrewsbury: locals reveal why there’s no land management, commercial property, place like home planning and development. Page 11 Find us: local centre highlights Published on behalf of Strutt & Parker by Sunday sundaypublishing.com. All information and pricing correct at time of going to press. 02 &Shrewsbury pp02-03_&Shrewsbury_Intro_des5.indd 1 20/08/2013 15:52 Kevin Boulton, Partner, explains how our Shrewsbury office brings a wealth of experience to the town’s robust property market ituated in the heart of beautiful Shropshire on the of plays and recitals, plus a notorious Christmas pantomime. ‘ banks of the meandering River Severn, Shrewsbury The Old Market Hall, undoubtedly one of the most historic rightly enjoys a reputation as a fantastic place to live, buildings in the town, has been converted into a cosy cinema S work and play.
    [Show full text]
  • The Life and Politics of David Widgery David Renton
    The Life and Politics of David Widgery David Renton David Widgery (1947-1992) was a unique figure on the British left. Better than any one else, his life expressed the radical diversity of the 1968 revolts. While many socialists could claim to have played a more decisive part in any one area of struggle - trade union, gender or sexual politics, radical journalism or anti- racism - none shared his breadth of activism. Widgery had a remarkable abili- ty to "be there," contributing to the early debates of the student, gay and femi- nist movements, writing for the first new counter-cultural, socialist and rank- and-file publications. The peaks of his activity correspond to the peaks of the movement. Just eighteen years old, Widgery was a leading part of the group that established Britain's best-known counter-cultural magazine Oz. Ten years later, he helped to found Rock Against Racism, parent to the Anti-Nazi League, and responsible for some of the largest events the left has organised in Britain. RAR was the left's last great flourish, before Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister, and the movement entered a long period of decline, from which even now it is only beginning to awake. David Widgery was a political writer. Some of the breadth of his work can be seen in the range of the papers for which he wrote. His own anthology of his work, compiled in 1989 includes articles published in City Limits, Gay Left, INK, International Socialism, London Review of Books, Nation Review, New Internationalist, New Socialist, New Society, New Statesman, Oz, Radical America, Rank and File Teacher,Socialist Worker, Socialist Review, Street Life, Temporary Hoarding, Time Out and The Wire.' Any more complete list would also have to include his student journalism and regular columns in the British Medical Journal and the Guardian in the 1980s.
    [Show full text]
  • Robert Crowther
    „ jcpad 2 BOOKS FOR KEEPS No. 11 NOVEMBER 1981 Sound and Vision 23 News of books on television Contents - the magazine of the School Bookshop Association The Story of Christmas 24 Editors Page 3 Neville Kirby on choosing books to News and comment from the Editor celebrate a Christian festival NOVEMBER 1981 No. 11 Books for Christmas 4 The Play's the Thing — or 26 ISSN: 0143-909X Six Books for Keeps regulars choose is it? Editor: Pat Triggs books for giving Chris Fowling reviews three books Designer: Alec Davis Typesetting by: Curtis Typesetting, for children about making a play Gloucester Needle on Treasure Island 10 Printed by: Surrey Fine Arts, Redhill Jan Needle writes about a book he Seasonal stories 28 Surrey thinks has much to teach us Suggestions for additions to your Editorial correspondence: Christmas storytime The Determined Freelance 12 Pat Triggs Robert Crowther talks to Pat Triggs 36 Ravenswood Road Fifty Years of Babar 30 Bristol, Avon, BS6 6BVV Tony Bradman meets Laurent de Tel: 0272 49048 Make your own Pop-up 13 Brunhoff Robert Crowther shows you how Subscriptions and advertising; News 32 Richard Hill Passing the Toby Test 15 1 Effingham Road Willie Rushton on getting involved Lee, London, SE12 8NZ with children's books Tel: 01-852 4953 Authorgraph No. 11 16 Cover story © School Bookshop Association 1981 Jan Pienkowski Our cover illustration this issue is by No. 11 November 1981 Tomie de Paola from The Night Before Registered office: How to ... Start a Family 18 Christmas (Oxford University Press), See National Book League, Book House, Reading Group Seasonal Stories (page 28).
    [Show full text]
  • The Educational Backgrounds of Leading Journalists
    The Educational Backgrounds of Leading Journalists June 2006 NOT FOR PUBLICATION BEFORE 00.01 HOURS THURSDAY JUNE 15TH 2006 1 Foreword by Sir Peter Lampl In a number of recent studies the Sutton Trust has highlighted the predominance of those from private schools in the country’s leading and high profile professions1. In law, we found that almost 70% of barristers in the top chambers had attended fee-paying schools, and, more worryingly, that the young partners in so called ‘magic circle’ law firms were now more likely than their equivalents of 20 years ago to have been independently-educated. In politics, we showed that one third of MPs had attended independent schools, and this rose to 42% among those holding most power in the main political parties. Now, with this study, we have found that leading news and current affairs journalists – those figures who are so central in shaping public opinion and national debate – are more likely than not to have been to independent schools which educate just 7% of the population. Of the top 100 journalists in 2006, 54% were independently educated an increase from 49% in 1986. Not only does this say something about the state of our education system, but it also raises questions about the nature of the media’s relationship with society: is it healthy that those who are most influential in determining and interpreting the news agenda have educational backgrounds that are so different to the vast majority of the population? What is clear is that an independent school education offers a tremendous boost to the life chances of young people, making it more likely that they will attain highly in school exams, attend the country’s leading universities and gain access to the highest and most prestigious professions.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CLOUD of UNKNOWING Policy, Rhetoric and Public Bewilderment
    THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING Policy, rhetoric and public bewilderment 2. Consign it to the flames Ladies and gentlemen, The climate change debate is much more than just a battle over scientific theories and environmental statistics. At its core is the question of which approach our societies should take in view of a serious concern that could possibly turn out to be a real problem some time in [the] future. What rational societies and policy makers need to ask is: what are the most reasonable and the most cost-effective policies that neither ignore a potential problem that may possibly materialise in the distant future nor the actual economic costs of such policies here and now. Fundamentally these are social, ethical and economic questions that cannot be answered by science alone but require careful consideration by economists and social commentators.i Those aren’t my words but the words of Dr Benny Peiser introducing the Global Warming Policy Foundation’s Annual Lecture in October 2011. Dr Peiser is a social anthropologist who is also the Director of the Foundation. The Chairman is the former Conservative Chancellor, Nigel Lawson. Let’s begin by taking a good look at this passage. At first, what comes across is the judicious tone. Climate change is a ‘serious concern’ which might turn into a ‘real problem.’ What ‘rational societies and policy makers’ have to do is to arrive at policy responses which are both ‘reasonable’ and also ‘cost- effective.’ Serious, rational, reasonable. If we look a little closer, we notice a little rhetorical filigree: within a couple of sentences, that ‘serious concern’ begins to get pushed linguistically away from us with a triad of qualifications it turns out that it’s a potential problem that may only possibly happen in a distant future; whereas staring us in the face is another triad which is only too immediately present the actual and specifically economic costs which we will have to pay here and now.
    [Show full text]