Prince George’s new school.

GrannyGravy same here! My four children went to single sex schools (as did I). They’ve all flourished as well.

I hope Prince George will be happy. It can’t be easy growing up in the public eye especially with all the nasty comments from internet trolls.

I know that other public schools considered could not provide the very high security needed. There are dangers everywhere for Prince George, probably the worst is Britain’s gutter press, which hounded his young grandmother to her death.

I went to a single sex school as did all my children.

I am surprised there aren't more. As has been mentioned, no distractions from the opposite sex.

This hasn't harmed their emotional growth at all. They are all successful and happily married.

We have used a mixture of state and private schools, some were single sex, and the children absolutely flourished with no distractions from the opposite sex.

Definitely hasn’t stunted their emotional growth.

ferry23

Expecting Prince George to attend the local comprehensive is like expecting the Princess of Wales to nip into Asda to buy their clothes.

No state school is suitable for the protection and security that would be needed.

Eton is particularly well placed in this respect as there are always members of various royal families from around the world attending so it's geared up for it.

Good post ferry23

Think of all the moans about the cost of security if they’d chosen a local school.

Parents either accept the nearest school or choose the best of whatever schools they can afford, or can get into.
Even Labour MP Ms Sultana, who criticises the Eton decision chose the Holte Visual and Performing Arts College for KS3 and the King Edward VI Handsworth a selective Girls’ Grammar School for her sixth form studies.
Not exactly the local state school.

Expecting Prince George to attend the local comprehensive is like expecting the Princess of Wales to nip into Asda to buy their clothes.

No state school is suitable for the protection and security that would be needed.

Eton is particularly well placed in this respect as there are always members of various royal families from around the world attending so it's geared up for it.

My grandson is at a state grammar school. It is a boys' school and I must admit that when I spent a day there it seemed very relaxing not having girls around. I suspect it isn't much different from the education George will get at Eton. They study Latin and Philosophy, they play Rugby, Cricket and Lacrosse. Before half term they spent a week rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing and caving. They are very big on leadership and service. Yes he would have done well at one of the local comprehensives but he is thoroughly enjoying the challenges at this school. It seems only right that a future King should also be allowed a good education. We don't want to end up with a British version of Trump.

greyfur

Calendargirl

Grantanow

Predictable. No question of a State school, even one close to Windsor. Not exactly a vote for what most of our kids have to accept.

The Royals would never go to a state school.

Why would they?

To be relevant? To value what's on offer? To be humble and face challenges?

Quite right - but not a chance.

Rosie51

Grantanow

Predictable. No question of a State school, even one close to Windsor. Not exactly a vote for what most of our kids have to accept.

I haven't noticed too many MPs sending their children to less than the best schools in their area, which is not what some other parents and children have to accept. Weren't the local schools considered not good enough for Dianne Abbott's son, just good enough for the rest of her constituents?

I think it was hypocritical of Abbott to send her son to a public school when her constituents had to make do with local State schools.

Farzanah

Yes you’re right MollyNew . the school of the ruling classes. It’s important to continue the status quo.

And for us to know our place 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yes you’re right MollyNew . the school of the ruling classes. It’s important to continue the status quo.

Whether we like it or not, Eton is the school of the ruling classes so they'll be used to looking after such a high profile pupil, as they did for his father. I just hope that he is well and happy.

MayBee70

I worry about George. He always seems like such a serious little boy, so unlike his younger brother. He often looks as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I guess, when it comes to schools, security has to be a consideration.

Well to be fair, he has the weight of the UK on his shoulders He’ll be well aware of his place in Royal ascent and I feel quite sorry and sad for these “heirs” to the throne.

I hope he is happy and I’m sure things will have changed in terms of home comforts since the olden days.

I think he would enjoyed a more progressive environment too, but no doubt he’ll get lots of visits and see family as often as possible.

I don't worry about George, look at his brother Louis - same parents & probably not so different upbringing.
I suppose I'm nature not nurture when it comes to how serious or carefree children turn out - Charlotte isn't exactly a tearaway personality either-

I wouldn't be surprised if George hadn't had a say in which school he goes to - I expect some of his friends will be going to Eton too & it might well be the right fit for him.

I am sure that William’s wife has sorted out the shortfall, if any? Emotional development is not taught after all.

Eton seems to have done a good job with William.

merlotgran

^Charles wasn't bullied into going.to Gordonstoun, he wouldn't have had any say whatsoever in the matter. Prince Philip went there and loved it, so that was that for Charles^

Same difference IMO.
Charles was thoroughly miserable there, calling it, ‘Colditz in kilts.’
Princess Anne’s children may have been happy there but it definitely wasn’t the right fit for Charles.
No surprise he sent his own sons to Eton.

Paw was at Gordonstoun at the same time as Prince Charles, but in different houses.
He hated it but (grudgingly) admitted that it was very democratic with an abnormally high proportion of scholarship boys from the local area, they also had relatively unique sporting and ‘service ‘ facilities for the time - lifeboat service, fire brigade service, sailing , outward bound activities rather than your typical English public school rugger, cricket etc.
He didn’t rate it academically either but his father, of a similar temperament to Prince Philip I suspect and a decorated WWII Commando leader, had thought it would ‘toughen him up’

Calendargirl

Grantanow

Predictable. No question of a State school, even one close to Windsor. Not exactly a vote for what most of our kids have to accept.

The Royals would never go to a state school.

Why would they?

To be relevant? To value what's on offer? To be humble and face challenges?

Grandma70s

merlotgran

I feel the family had the option to be more progressive

At George’s expense?

Thank goodness lessons were learned after the King was bullied into going to Gordonstoun by his father.

I hope George will be happy at Eton.

No, I didn’t mean at George’s expense! After all, he might have wanted to go to school with girls. We can’t know. I imagine he did have some input, though his knowledge of schools must no doubt be very limited. I too hope he will be happy.

Now I’m very curious to know where Charlotte will go.

I suspect the reasons pro Eton for George, included the fact Charlotte would have to be educated elsewhere, out of his shadow. No questions raised if she's sent to co-ed Marlborough like her mother ; and perhaps leaving that open for Louis too.

I imagine the Royal family has learned from the way Anne and Edward raised their children right out of the spotlight.

MayBee70

I worry about George. He always seems like such a serious little boy, so unlike his younger brother. He often looks as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I guess, when it comes to schools, security has to be a consideration.

Isn't that a pattern for the Heir? In their youth, Elizabeth, Charles and William were all serious and restrained, and no wonder, groomed and trained for lifelong duty .

Margaret, Andrew and Harry were the fun party jokers. Destined to become black sheep when their wayward indiscretions weren't youthful or funny any more.

Grantanow

Predictable. No question of a State school, even one close to Windsor. Not exactly a vote for what most of our kids have to accept.

The Royals would never go to a state school.

Why would they?

Gordonstoun would probably have suited Harry better than Eton.

Perhaps Charlotte will go to Marlborough, like her mother did.

I think there are probably many reasons why Eton was chosen - proximity and security being high on the list.

Children do know whether they feel comfortable and happy with a school, even after one taster day. I had a couple of prospective pupils who turned up to do a taster day, and refused to go back to their own school the following morning! And they were only 9 - 10 years old!

Charles wasn't bullied into going.to Gordonstoun, he wouldn't have had any say whatsoever in the matter. Prince Philip went there and loved it, so that was that for Charles

Same difference IMO.
Charles was thoroughly miserable there, calling it, ‘Colditz in kilts.’
Princess Anne’s children may have been happy there but it definitely wasn’t the right fit for Charles.
No surprise he sent his own sons to Eton.

Charles wasn't bullied into going.to Gordonstoun, he wouldn't have had any say whatsoever in the matter. Prince Philip went there and loved it, so that was that for Charles. .I understand that Catherine and William were concerned that at some stage George would, perhaps by other pupils, he photographed with a girl leading to the idiotic media printing complete rubbish about George's heartthrob! Also I expect he will have friends going to Eton with him. Good luck to him.. I hope he has a happy time there.