We were the first lot to go to secondary school after the 11+ was ended in Notts...Richer kids at my school (some of them not that academically gifted) were taken out of class and coached through the entrance exam by the head master for the local selective school so they could be spared the hell of comprehensive education. Strangely no-one from my estate was offered that chance.
There was a popular local 11+ teacher done for fiddling and jailed and some of the parents at my daughters school were keen to find out when he would be out again.
Yes, in those days there were Grammar Schools in every town, and you had to pass the 11+ to get in. Only the top 25% of primary school pupils were offered places.
I guess I do have a 'peculiar' type of intelligence, I sat a Mensa test and scored 161, better than Carol Vorderman (154) and on a par with Albert Einstein and Steven Hawking. Not that it counts for anything in real life, or gets any respect in the Gasroom.
I never understood why 'intelligent' people choose to undertake a MENSA test. It shows either a shocking lack of self-esteem or a desperate need to show off. Neither, in my humble opinion, attractive qualities to possess as a human being.
(And on what planet should a meaningless test of just one part of how a person thinks be worthy of respect on its own?)
Exactly. And generations where 75% (apparently) of normal, intelligent, humane people were shunted off to schools to prepare to be factory fodder because they hadn't got one particular narrow-slice of what makes up intelligence.
It’s much less a straight test of intelligence (or similar) now, more a reflection of how much the parents wish to pay for coaching, either directly through tuition, or by funding a private primary education.
As an aside, and I don’t know how widespread this was, but at the end of the first year at (Aylesbury) Grammar School 1971 (now year 7) we did this very weird test which was basically written in a Scandinavian language and I remember the teachers getting very confused when I did well in it.
Anyone any ideas what this may have been all about?
A black bag floats onto the end of a bargepole only for big Vern to mistaken it for a terrorist and indiscriminately fires into the barge upon which the pole rested and blows the brains out of an unsuspecting Roger Mellie who was servicing Millie Tant. In the aftermath, Billy the Fish jumps out of the canal and tips the black bag onto the bank to once again expose the proud bargepole who pushes the boat off and onto his next adventure.
I went to school with the son of the local comprehensive headmaster and although the boy was a nice enough lad he was as thick as mince. Imagine my surprise when he “passed” the 11+.
Hope they don't get rid of all the old kits before they get delivery of the new one. If there were to be a supply issue they'd be very much on the road to no wear
Comments
We were the first lot to go to secondary school after the 11+ was ended in Notts...Richer kids at my school (some of them not that academically gifted) were taken out of class and coached through the entrance exam by the head master for the local selective school so they could be spared the hell of comprehensive education. Strangely no-one from my estate was offered that chance.
And some people think that hasn’t changed
There was a popular local 11+ teacher done for fiddling and jailed and some of the parents at my daughters school were keen to find out when he would be out again.
Yes, in those days there were Grammar Schools in every town, and you had to pass the 11+ to get in. Only the top 25% of primary school pupils were offered places.
I guess I do have a 'peculiar' type of intelligence, I sat a Mensa test and scored 161, better than Carol Vorderman (154) and on a par with Albert Einstein and Steven Hawking. Not that it counts for anything in real life, or gets any respect in the Gasroom.
I suspect you are correct that giving out your MENSA IQ test results isn’t the best way to earn respect.
I never understood why 'intelligent' people choose to undertake a MENSA test. It shows either a shocking lack of self-esteem or a desperate need to show off. Neither, in my humble opinion, attractive qualities to possess as a human being.
(And on what planet should a meaningless test of just one part of how a person thinks be worthy of respect on its own?)
There are so many gauges of intelligence beyond an arbitrary IQ test
Exactly. And generations where 75% (apparently) of normal, intelligent, humane people were shunted off to schools to prepare to be factory fodder because they hadn't got one particular narrow-slice of what makes up intelligence.
(No disrespect @Wendoverman!)
Funnier than earlier attempts, and a few bites, well played.
Should of stayed amongst your let's smash the oiks, and when's the next game of 'Soggy biscuit' fraternity, if it was respect you were yearning.
Some do work hard to get in in fairness.
Others less so.
You don't know when to stop do you.
I think the point is hard work means nothing as entry is ultimately based on how your brain is wired
Neither Stephen Hawking nor Albert Einstein ever took a Mensa test. Obviously.
I have to admit they are playing a good game. Hard not to get drawn in.
Starting to think it's a Viz character.
It’s much less a straight test of intelligence (or similar) now, more a reflection of how much the parents wish to pay for coaching, either directly through tuition, or by funding a private primary education.
S'ok @bookertease I done okay with the book learning in the end...
Yep, I did it in 04/05 and didn't really 'get' it but somehow scraped a pass. Not that I was under any pressure to.
As an aside, and I don’t know how widespread this was, but at the end of the first year at (Aylesbury) Grammar School 1971 (now year 7) we did this very weird test which was basically written in a Scandinavian language and I remember the teachers getting very confused when I did well in it.
Anyone any ideas what this may have been all about?
A black bag floats onto the end of a bargepole only for big Vern to mistaken it for a terrorist and indiscriminately fires into the barge upon which the pole rested and blows the brains out of an unsuspecting Roger Mellie who was servicing Millie Tant. In the aftermath, Billy the Fish jumps out of the canal and tips the black bag onto the bank to once again expose the proud bargepole who pushes the boat off and onto his next adventure.
I went to school with the son of the local comprehensive headmaster and although the boy was a nice enough lad he was as thick as mince. Imagine my surprise when he “passed” the 11+.
In Bucks it was the 12+ until a few years ago. Which was incredibly frustrating for an 'early developer' who fancied his history teacher
I say a few years ago, was about 98
Up to 60% off scream the signs outside the Watford club shop. Perhaps they need to find some manager pay offs though.
They'll be Byrning all the unsold stock.
I'll get me coat...
Surely that risks Burning Down the House?
Hope they don't get rid of all the old kits before they get delivery of the new one. If there were to be a supply issue they'd be very much on the road to no wear
I am still a little gutted that my favourite kit is but for a year. Hopefully the new one is fantastic, though.
Same, best kit we have had for many years, and we only get it for one !