The parents of eleven plus children will come from many
different persuasions. The son of a farmer in a remote area will have an
intimate view of a farmer’s role. In just the same way the daughter a shop keeper
will understand the working of the world in a very different way. The child of
two working doctors will have a well-grounded understanding of their
professional roles.
Passing the eleven plus, however, has the potential to open
a wide variety of careers. Naturally the desires and determination of the parents
will play a large part. The doctors, for example, could possibly advise their children
not to take up their profession. (It is likely, however, that they would be
delighted, and very proud, if their child did, in time, become a doctor!)
We know that lawyers will be different from doctors in their
professional roles – but it seems likely that both sets of parents would like
their children to become professionals. But a grammar school education can give
children from wide and diverse backgrounds equal chances.
