Forum Topic

ActonW3 bias to private schools (again)

I notice the reoccurring bias towards private education in ActonW3.com stories again.A long piece on Alan Rickman and Latymer Upper School (presumably they did a press release?) and no mention of Derwentwater (easy to find on Wikipedia.)Given that Latymer is in Hammersmith and Derwentwater is in Acton I would expect a site that claims to cover Acton to give the local connection more coverage. But no, again state schools ignored by ActonW3.com.

Allan Kelly ● 3884d5 Comments

I always understood he won a free place at Latymer.  He has supported Latymer who tend to keep in touch with their former pupils and was due to speak there next week I think in support of the bursary scheme.  Wasn't it a Direct Grant Grammar School when he went there?

Philippa Bond ● 3882d

Latymer has not always been "private"  it used to be a grammar school and the state funded some pupils,  don't know whether Alan Rickman was state funded but it is not always so clear cut.

Georgiana Eliot ● 3883d

Totally agree - lazy journalism - just write up a press release. What happened to research?

Anne Brown ● 3883d

I lean towards cock-up rather than conspiracy.Latymer (who are no-doubt media savvy, quite commercial and have strong resourcing got out a sophisticated press release). http://www.latymer-upper.org/whats-on/news-and-events/school-news/alan-rickman-class-of-1964Derwentwater didn't - because, frankly, it is really not what they are set up for.If there is a problem, it was that ActonW3 didn't spot the local angle even thought its readership did. (I have to say I also raised my eyebrows at that).PS. As a declaration of interest I send my kids to Acton's local primary and secondary comprehensive schools and am to date  v. happy with the results.

Richard Grange ● 3884d

Seems unfair criticism.The article is based on public comment by the school and a number of old boys.But Derwentwater School has not made a comment ....http://derwentwaterschool.comA question though ... I saw one write up that said he was at a school teaching using Montesorri methods. There were a few in Acton that did but I did not see something to show that Derwentwater did.http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol7/pp42-49

Paul Webster ● 3884d