School life, between the linesBy Eleven Plus Diary
School stories, admissions adventures, and the things parents talk about on the way home.
School portraits · Surrey, England
A Cranleigh old boy remembers an English teacher who said yes twice. I tried the same approach with my son’s school, by email, at length, at night.
School portraits · Dundee, Scotland
When a former pupil set off to cycle round the world, the High School of Dundee did what schools do. It made it a project, and then it sent a bear.
School life · Wales and England
A Llanelly schoolboy revised for the BBC’s Top of the Form and forgot about the microphone. I ran a PTA quiz night, so I know which one bites.
School life · Britain
Nobody else at the PTA meeting would do the music, so I said I would. I had five weeks, a request box and a husband with a Bluetooth speaker.
School portraits · Cambridge
At The Leys in the 1960s a clerical error freed one boy from compulsory games for a year, and he spent it in the school print room. When our son’s name went missing, I emailed the school at 7.02am.
School portraits · Oxford
In 2012, Oxford High parents argued online about whether the school should explain how their daughters did in the entrance exam. In 2025, two of its Year 7s gave their own report.
School portraits · Carrickfergus, County Antrim
A P7 pupil in Carrickfergus wrote to the Ulster Chess Union about a shortage of boards. I have been writing to the council about a pothole since 2021.
School portraits · London
Two sixth-formers parked an antique telescope at the top of City of London School’s main stairs until it found a better home. Our hall has a rowing machine in the same position.
School life · England
In November 2002 Dover Grammar’s Year 12 law students took three cases to Maidstone Crown Court. By lunchtime they needed a new image.
School life · London
Pupils who get to be headteacher for a day write up the job afterwards, and it is mostly furniture and condiments. Our youngest ran the house for a Saturday.
School life · Old school friends
I revised for my school reunion harder than I ever revised at school. Two men who went before me had left notes.
Parent life · School and home
Teachers whose children attend their school get their day reviewed at teatime. I volunteer one morning a week. That is plenty.
