Could I also be given an accurate statistic of how many 6th formers are "offered" a place into the foundation course ? how many decline? and how many accept?[/quote]
Offered is the correct word here as I have been in 6th form for 2 years already, I have seen 3 age groups be able to join, In my first year in Lower 6th, there must have been about 40 of us Lower 6th ALONE. Out of all of us only about 10 joined. This remained the number, a few left, until summer '05 when they all left school. Recently, the new lower 6th has been invited to join the group, and only about 4 have taken this up. Thats 4 out of about 30. From the current upper 6th there are none I can think of, oh actually just 2 or so.
Hope this was of some use. It is an open invitation that only gets asked once, if you want to then you can, if you don?t then that?s just as good. Before any other readers of this post assume that it limits your opportunities in the school if you are not a member of the SES, then let me tell you, there are 4 head boys, none of them including myself are members of the SES. (I was though in winter'04-summer'05)
The O:
I utterly sympathize with The St Vedast and early St James pupils, I completely understand that they are enraged about the way that they were treated, but they have to realize that the school is a completely different place now, and they cannot continue badmouthing and misrepresenting the school and the SES now. Joining the SES is completely optional, not even all of the teachers are in the SES these days, they are not brainwashed and neither are we. I admit that joined the SES because my friends were joining, but the truth is that we have a laugh, the tutor lets us choose what we wish to speak about, we don't even need to need to turn up every week, we go to the pub with the tutors after the group and talk about whatever we want. The SES is not a cult, despite many thinking that they have all the characteristics of one, they now adopt a take it or leave it policy with the material.
I aim just to refresh your memory, parents, posters, students, noobies and oldies that there is no 'recruitment' by the girl's or boy's schools into the S.E.S. We are simply asked if we want to participate. The choice is entirely ours!
Before you get the wrong idea and presume that as a student who turns down this invitation, your prospects to succeed in the school are limited. There are 4 head boys, 2 Heads and 2 Deputies, I am the only one who was in the S.E.S, at that, I was not in this position during my time in funny farm. I have now left. Reasons being, I gave it a go, I achieved enlightenment, I broadened my horizons and now feel it is not for me.
Much love,
Sam xox