St James Independent School for Boys Twickenham
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:19 am
Perhaps there will be more
Forums for discussion of the School of Economic Science and its satellite schools around the world
http://ses-forums.org/
CurrentParent@StJamesBoys wrote:I am the parent of a boy who is currently at St James School for Boys. My son is a bright young lad with a lively enquiring mind. Just recently, he had been discussing with some school friends the relationship between the SES and the school and in an effort to get a better understanding of it he came home and did some 'googling' on the SES and found this
messageboard. He was very, very distressed, disturbed, angry and shocked by the allegations made against his teachers, past and present.
When St James Boys School came to Twickenham it attracted local parents who were looking for a well disciplined, good academic education for their sons. Boys who were less able or who had special educational needs were not discouraged from attending this school, unlike some of the other fiercely academic independent schools in the area. The school has grown considerably during its time in Twickenham and many of the youngsters now attending have not come up the ranks from St James Junior schools and their parents have no connection to the SES and probably in many cases, have little or no knowledge of the SES. In 2004, vegetarianism, meditation, eastern philosophy and all things vedic albeit not mainstream, do not seem out of place in the way they would have, say, 20 years ago. In public, the good, polite behaviour of St James' boys enhances the school's reputation among the residents of Twickenham.
Do the boys at St James know of the existence of this messageboard? Not in the experience of my son. Some may, but as I write, it certainly is not generally being talked about. When the contents of this messageboard become public knowledge, as I have no doubt they will in the near future, I hope that the fallout will be handled in such a way as to minimise the impact on the boys, particularly those who are probably feeling the pressure of public exams and that the school authorities can maintain the morale of both teachers and boys. Whatever the relationship between the individual child and his teacher, all the issues around corporal punishment are thankfully completely unknown to this generation of St James children.
To those who have told their harrowing stories on this board, I acknowledge and honour the emotional pain you are feeling. I hope you find from the school authories what you want and need to express your sad and angry feelings and that you find in your hearts the strength to forgive those who have hurt you. As adults, whether as parents, teachers or carers, we have a duty not to harm the very precious children who come into our care. When we do, we must expect to answer for our transgressions.