Class and Education in London
While London is clearly a diverse city, it is still apparent that class differences exist, especially within the school systems. While abroad, we traveled to three different schools: Eton, a London primary school, and Oxford. Eton and Oxford clearly demonstrated how the richest kids in England were educated. The London primary school showed the opposite side, and how immigrant families didn’t have as much access to top-notch education in London. Although these schools evidently have big differences, I still feel that the London primary school was much better than a lower-class school in the US, and I feel that this school tried its best to educate their students despite their social class. It was interesting to explore how class affects the level of education received in England, and while I believe the London primary school was a good school, nothing can compare to the quality education received at schools like Eton and Oxford.
First, we visited Eton and the Museum of Eton Life. The fact that there was even a museum about life at Eton shows how prestigious and famous the school is. Seeing all of the famous men who attended the school demonstrated its fame even further. Learning about all of the opportunities with sports, music, and the arts also showed that the school gives many opportunities to its students that set them up for success continuing with university. Seeing the young men walk around the school during our trip was also very interesting. Their uniforms and the way they carried themselves showed that they were elite. The school was unlike anything I had ever seen in the US, and it is hard to fathom how much money the families who send their sons here must have. According to the article we read for class, “In order to evolve such a school, you have to start with a monarchical foundation in the mid-15thcentury. A few hundred years of feudalism and empire are then required, during which time 18 of the country’s prime ministers attend the school, as do countless generals, ambassadors, and colonial governors. A vivid legend of the three B’s- bullying, beating, and buggery- must spring up, imprinting itself thoroughly on the formative years of a ruling caste” (Hitchens). This quote explains the complicated history of not only Eton, but England itself, and why it is capable of having such a prestigious school. The most important people in the country have attended it, and helped give it its famous name today.
The second school we visited during our time in London was the primary school in the predominantly Bangladeshi neighborhood in East London. This school was the complete opposite from Eton, and it was evident that it was for more common people. While this school was considered at the bottom of the chain in London, it still seemed much better than lower economic status schools in the US. Visiting multiple classrooms was a really interesting experience, as we were able to see the variety of topics different age groups were learning in class. Their classes were very well-rounded compared to some in the US, especially with their cooking classes and more interactive activities. While most of the kids lived in social housing across the street, it clearly didn’t inhibit their learning. It was nothing like Eton, but still a good place for kids to go to school. The school was also much more diverse than Eton, with children mostly from immigrant and impoverished families. The minorities in London do attend less quality schools, but are still not completely ignored by society, and still have quality education. Interacting with the children at the school was a really fun experience for me, as someone who wants to work in a school one day, and it was great to see how much they were learning and how much they wanted to learn about our culture.
Lastly, we visited Oxford University, which was nothing like what I had initially expected. I had no idea that Oxford was broken into 38 different colleges that were almost like 38 completely different universities making up one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Oxford blew my mind, and it was hard for me to even fathom that people attend such an incredible and famous university. It is quite clear that many young men who attend Eton would continue on to Oxford, as they are both some of the most famous schools in the world that would clearly prefer wealthier students in attendance.
While the primary school was still a quality place of education, it’s obvious that Oxford and Eton were created solely for the richest and most well-known families to send their children there. They were unlike anything I had ever seen in the US, and it seems like the education system is better overall in England. Even a school considered at the bottom of the education system was pretty quality in my opinion. It was very interesting to see the effects of class on the education system in England, and how different the schools are, while still all being quality places for children to receive an education. The class differences are evident in London, but it is still a diverse and accepting city that gives all of the children opportunities to receive an education.
