Fantastic to read.

When my kids where looking at University we went up to Oxford for one of the open days. Now much to my chagrin neither decided it was for them (and both got the kind of grades necessary) but that was their choice and made for the right reasons.

But the people at Oxford were almost pleading for kids from state schools to apply. There was no dropping of standards in terms of grades but they wanted the brightest and the best and the reality is that the public schools effectively coach their pupils to get into Oxford and Cambridge and it is a policy clearly screwing this country over given the state of our current elites who did go there.

Oxford blew me away. Left me speechless because there is a genuine magic to the colleges. Just those few hours spend walking around made me realise why it is so special but also bloody dangerous because I really got why it fosters the elites it does.

Because as they stressed to us, the difficult part is getting there. But once that is done then literally every door opens up.

And I want more kids from state schools going through those doors. I believe in elites running things. How the world works. But those elites are clearly not up to it as things stand.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Maybe. But state educated kids who make it to Oxford do so despite their backgrounds, not because of them.

And ultimately will prove to be more fit for purpose. Essentially they have to be smarter to ultimately make it because they have not been groomed since they were 5 to end up there.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Excellent points.

There is definitely a point about coaching over natural ability IQ wise. Personally, I feel that when you need to pick out the cream from amongst already very good students natural IQ needs to be the decisive factor put front and centre.

If I had a say on it I'd be looking to devise tests that told me who were naturally the brightest. Once I have that information then I can select the hardest working from amongst those. I wouldn't be waiting until university though....once again, they knew and understood this better in the past.

Then I have the natural elite regardless of background.....though I understand that for other reasons it will still favour the middle and higher classes.

Edited by Stirlingsays (01 Dec 2022 8.41am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I absolutely agree.

It is astonishing how many 'top jobs' go to people who come from privileged backgrounds but are just downright thick. And I mean thick.

Has long been my opinion that objective, intelligence based assessment should be determined for the 'best and brightest' and agree regarding they should be elevated and singled out for the 'elite'. It amazes how often I see somebody holds a position that does not align whatsoever to their 'French' degree from Oxbridge. What the f has that got to do with the price of fish?

Equally however, it is why I am so set against 'diversity targets/quotas'. It is my full opinion that objective intelligence/potential assessments would naturally produce a 'diverse pool' of talent. Getting into educational institutions at the top echelon of the field as a result of either a) because of your ticking boxes or b) because of mummmy and daddy, are both equally ridiculous, a waste of opportunity for individuals and the wider society, anti-social and anti-logical.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!