Past Event DVDs
Debate: February 3, 2010

Public schools are a blight on British society
Spring 2010 Series

Intelligence² audience confirms 763 to 453 votes against the motion.
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Event Information:
Is it simply envy that inspires hatred of public schools? Should we not applaud them as the standard bearer of all that is best in a free meritocratic society - as academies of excellence whose pupils receive not just a first class education, but also a sense of discipline, good manners and social responsibility? Or is it more accurate to view them as little citadels of privilege, sucking the talents and energies of the middle classes out of the state system? And shouldn't we acknowledge that it's not only the children of the excluded majority who get hurt in the process but also the pampered inmates of the citadels themselves, whose limited social horizons and cut-glass branded accents cut them off from the mass of their fellow citizens and make them resented strangers in their own land?
The debate took place at: Methodist Central Hall Westminster.
Doors opened at 6:00 pm. The debate started at 6:45 pm and finished at 8:30 pm.
Speakers for the motion:

David Aaronovitch Author and columnist on The Times.

Martin Rowson Satirical cartoonist and novelist. He was London's Cartoonist Laureate under former mayor Ken Livingstone.

Francis Wheen Author and broadcaster. His latest book is "Strange Days Indeed: The Golden Age of Paranoia".
Speakers against the motion:

Mary Beard Professor of Classics at Cambridge University and author of the blog "A Don's Life" which has recently been published as a book.

Felipe Fernandez-Armesto Professor of Global Environment History at Queen Mary, University of London, and William P. Reynolds Professor of History, University of Notre Dame. Formerly a history master at Charterhouse School.

Barnaby Lenon Head Master of Harrow School.
Chair:

Francine Stock Broadcaster and novelist. She presents BBC Radio 4's "The Film Programme".
Evening Standard
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