To BBCRadio4 'You and Yours' 18 November 2014
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Factory Fodder!I was always in the 'A' stream in primary and junior schools. Achieved high marks in English, maths, or arithmetic, as we called it then, one of my junior school teachers said I should go to grammar. I think I was 'naturally' bright. I failed the eleven plus primarily because the Head socialised with some of the better off parents (he even drove a Rolls Royce, where did he get the money for that?) Anyway, he chose a group of children from these families, and with hindsight, regardless of their academic ability, spent hours grooming them, in the days when 'grooming' did not have paedophile connotations, though now we would also call him a paedophile due to his inappropriate 'touching'. My father even spoke to him, in no uncertain terms, about his refusal to place me at the top of the class even though I achieved some of the highest marks in tests and exams. See my debut novel, 'Bed of Black Flowers: Diary of an Unwelcomed Child' - plug. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0992853206
However, I do object to the expression 'Factory Fodder' apparently given to children who attended a secondary modern. I had never heard the term until mentioned on 'You and Yours' today. And as for your guest stating that, secondary schools were expected to supply the 'trades' - how insulting and patronising. Even though I did not go to grammar school, and even though classes were large, I consider I had a very good all-round education. Some of my very dedicated teachers may still be living and I can imagine how they would feel on hearing this harsh judgement being passed on them. I object to them being discredited in this way. I never felt ashamed of attending secondary school though I was ashamed of living on the largest council estate in the country.
On leaving school at aged fifteen, I had a vast choice of employment opportunities. I started working in C & A in Oxford Street as I wanted to train as a window dresser, but the long hours and travelling got me down so I went to work in an office in St Mary Axe. There were dozens of decent office jobs for able secondary school leavers.
After I had raised my children, from around the 1980s I started my education again; qualifying as a counsellor, as such I had a contract with Essex police. I have various qualifications in Personal Adviser in mental health, life coaching, business studies and team leading - gained a teaching certificate to teach sixteen plus; even trained as a Lay Reader for a while, though no longer believe in religion; have been accepted on an Open University course to study law.
I shall be seventy in January but still want and need to work, so I am attempting to start up my life coach and counselling businesses again. Also trying to promote my novel which I self-published.
Well, I feel a little better having got that off my chest - and I do enjoy your programme.
