Benchwayze
Established Member
I failed the eleven-plus in the 1940s/50s. I was going to be a 'blue-collar' worker then. A disappointment, but I got on with it. I passed an exam later for the 'Technical School'. what you might call a polytech. (Since promoted to Uni :roll: in Brum.)
I didn't go into engineering though; I joined the RN as a Boy Seaman at 15 and a half.
I had to take an educational grading test, which I passed and was then classed as 'AC' Boy (Advanced Class). When I started my training proper, I was the only member of my class who had NOT been to Grammar school. So I must have learned something. I can't say I ever felt deprived; even if I was.
Something happened between failing the eleven-plus and joining the RN. I think it was just that along with thousands of other kids, I had been a 'slow-developer'; and that was what was wrong with the idea of the eleven-plus. It didn't take into account slow developing children. Thankfully I caught up! All I lost was a lot of my precious youth to the RN, spending most of it rolling around in minesweepers, and leaning over the side, calling for 'Billl'!
My children went to a comp. They both did well, but neither wanted to go to university, even though they could have done so. That upset me, but at the end of the day, it is their life; not mine.
I didn't go into engineering though; I joined the RN as a Boy Seaman at 15 and a half.
I had to take an educational grading test, which I passed and was then classed as 'AC' Boy (Advanced Class). When I started my training proper, I was the only member of my class who had NOT been to Grammar school. So I must have learned something. I can't say I ever felt deprived; even if I was.
Something happened between failing the eleven-plus and joining the RN. I think it was just that along with thousands of other kids, I had been a 'slow-developer'; and that was what was wrong with the idea of the eleven-plus. It didn't take into account slow developing children. Thankfully I caught up! All I lost was a lot of my precious youth to the RN, spending most of it rolling around in minesweepers, and leaning over the side, calling for 'Billl'!
My children went to a comp. They both did well, but neither wanted to go to university, even though they could have done so. That upset me, but at the end of the day, it is their life; not mine.
