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Our Gothic towers inspire state school pupils, says Eton head
Tim Ross, Education Correspondent30 Apr 2010
Teenagers from working-class homes are being inspired to apply to top universities after taking Saturday classes among the Gothic towers of Eton.
Many pupils at state comprehensives in the area have a low opinion of their own abilities after failing the 11-plus entrance exam for local grammar schools.
But a groundbreaking partnership between Eton and nearby state schools has encouraged teenagers to aim for Oxford and Cambridge.
Pupils at Slough and Eton CofE Business and Enterprise College take lessons from Eton masters. Spending time among the school's imposing buildings helps teenagers feel comfortable applying to elite universities, according to Eton Head Master Tony Little.
“We take them completely off piste - mechanics, astrophysics, and in art they will be talking about philosophy," he said.
“They're doing a different sort of work in an environment... the Gothic towers, the spires, the architecture. I really wouldn't underestimate the positive impact that it can have.”
Sarosh Shah, 15, attended Saturday classes at Eton, which she said was “hard but really interesting”. She added that lessons at one of the world's most famous and historic schools was “a bit overwhelming” for the comprehensive school pupil at first.
Paul McAteer, head of Slough and CofE Eton Business and Enterprise College, said his sixth-formers were being helped with self esteem and in preparing for interviews at leading colleges.
“When you have got the opportunity to work in an environment like Eton College, you can't help but feel special."
