A Glimpse Behind the Golden Curtain

After leaving Stroud and making our way south, we have been visiting Sheelagh's cousin Jan, husband Brian and two boys Timothy and Mattew. Brian and Jan teach at a private school here in Eastbourne. Their boys attended the school until 2010 when Tim, and now Matt have moved on to Ardingly. This is a private high school which takes its football (soccer) very seriously. Tim is also very musical and is doing very well in the school choir and orchestra. A week ago the choir performed at Westminster Abby.

Matt, who is very talented in football, was seen and courted by the school when he played in a football tournament 3 years ago. Both boys were playing with their respective teams on Saturday. Sheelagh went to Ardingly to watch Tim, and I went into London with Brian and Matt for a game against a school there. They have played against Eton and Harrow already. Too bad, as I hear the post game tea at Eton is special.

The interesting thing for me is the obvious philosophy of excellence at these schools. Because Ardingly's focus is football, they search the country and elsewhere for the best players and bring them here because you only excel when you play with the best. Dame Judy Dench's grandson is in a drama class with Tim. Imagine what the teacher would say if he came in and said, "My grandma said..." The choir needed a piano so they got a Steinway, you need the best. Yes, there is lots of money in the school, but they don't just have rich kids. They go out of their way to try to make it possible for all kids to come.

The results are impressive. The teams that I watched played very hard, and Matt's team won. But the point was, only, "the best" effort was acceptable. The parents that were there made it clear that they wanted the best on the field. The team arrived in their school blazers and ties. They treated each other with respect. In the cafeteria after the game I didn't hear one boy who didn't speak politely to the kitchen staff. It was very interesting to see. The best behavior seemed also expected.

I know, it was only a glimpse. It is safe to say it isn't perfect. One parent Sheelagh saw was a good example of a bullying father. But I came away with the thought that it is very worthwhile  for us, and our nation, to strive for the best for ourselves and our kids.