OT: How many 'O' levels/GCSEs did you leave with?

[WildWaylon]

Its a fact that many kids dont get enough encouragement. Parents should do more to emphasize the importance of getting a good education, some do but many dont. Not that many kids from ordinary working class backgrounds going to a comprehensive school do well enough to get a place at Oxbridge. The public school is usually the route to Oxbridge. Would they fit in anyway. My wifes uncle also went to Cambridge and found it quite hard to mix in with his broad Manchester accent and working class ways. His father was a builder who voted labour and belonged to a trade union yet he was a very rich man who at one time owned over 200 houses in Keighley before selling them all and moving to Manchester. That was a long time ago and there was a lot of snobbery then but it still exists today. To be honest with you I dont think I would have been able to fit in either. I remember a long time ago being with a couple of guys and one asked the other what shool did he go to. "Oh Eaton" he replied pointing at his tie. The other did the same and said "Harrow". Then they looked at me and then at my tie, and I replied "Marks and Spencer". My God they were impessed LOL. I totally acknowledge the great true universities but I accept only the very best get places at them so I admire rather than envy those who do. Most kids settle for the upgraded polys which is not the same but they do get a reasonable education and thats what matters. Anyway with only a part time job now and just a couple of years left before full retirement education and refresher courses is a long way behind me. I do however try to encourage my grandchildren to work hard at school.

[Asterix]

Its a fact that many kids dont get enough encouragement. Parents should do more to emphasize the importance of getting a good education, some do but many dont.

I know that I'd have done a lot better if my parents had taken an active interest in my school work and helped me.

[WildWaylon]

Not trying to big myself up, but I certainly didn't get into the university I did because of school or connections. Tough comprehensive in the West Midlands, in its 103 year history, no-one had been to Oxbridge, in my year only 4 went to university at all.

Just had parents who were loving and supportive about learning and education; like someone else on here earlier posted, my father had passed his 11+ but couldn't go to Grammar School as his parents couldn't afford the extras - so rather than being plonked in front of mindless TV, they'd help me with my homework, read with me and be encouraging of a desire to learn.

That was me, thanks for reading it. I wasnt the only kid, there were others who couldnt go to the grammer because their parents were poor. They were hard times my father worked for London Transport while my mother was a cleaner earning half a crown an hour (12 and a half P). I didnt know your background so I thought perhaps you had a public school education but now you have explained I am amazed at what you have achieved. By the way my wifes cousin worked until he was 55 because he enjoyed it. By 40 he had more than enough money I would think, but not many want to retire that young.

[Loftgroov]

10 GCSEs (all A-C), 3 A Levels, 1 x BSc (Economics), 1 x MSc (Transportation Planning).

[Loynesy]

Deserter;Wild

To be honest I'd didn't find it difficult to settle in. I was certainly apprehensive before I went but I sat at my first tutorial, heard the other freshers speak and immediately knew I was as bright or brighter than most of them, when I got great marks in the first couple of essays/papers, I never looked back and its given me an intellectual self-confidence (I hope not arrogance) for which I shall be eternally grateful

It helps that I'm a pretty sociable chap and I always played a lot of team sport at Cambridge which is great for fitting in. Occasionally I'd get a tosser make a comment about my upbringing but I'd laugh it off, or just a couple of times threaten to deck them and that would diffuse things. On balance, it was a net benefit as there were always posh girls looking for a bit of rough

I know some of the comprehensive kids did fail to settle in, and they hung around together looking morose, making the situation worse. Similarly, there were a few braying toffs, but most people thought they were complete tossers - they certainly weren't the norm.

[Rocky Balboa]

I left with 10 GCSE's grade at Grade C or above. However, my school days were far from quiet. By the time I was SEVEN, I had been expelled from two schools.

Started secondary school at 11, got expelled after five months. I loved school, couldn't wait to learn, but I had a bad temper, so was fighting a lot. I finally settled down a bit after going boarding school.

Eduacation is most important, & when I have children, I hope there schooling is smoother than what mine was. I done well with my exams, but ultimately, I regret being out of school for the time I was when I was expelled.

[Max Molyneux]

So are people saying i shouldn't be doing the job im doing and should maybe stick to road sweeping or some manual labour. Is it a bad thing that i took a chance and it paid off?

It's a good thing and you deserve the job for getting away with lying to some suits.

[The Law]

11 GCSEs
4 A' Levels
....... and 2 law degrees: LLB (Hons) and LLM (Masters)

[adamwillan]

Hi Ian

Who is kevin Taylor?

[TerribleTerry]

Hi Ian

Who is kevin Taylor?

Owner of britishboxing.net, boxrec record keeper and all round boxing statto!

http://www.britishboxing.net/team-membe ... aylor.html

[Wax On]

So are people saying i shouldn't be doing the job im doing and should maybe stick to road sweeping or some manual labour. Is it a bad thing that i took a chance and it paid off?

I think it's great that you're doing the job and well. It's a shame that you lied on your CV but I can definitely understand it (and wouldn't hold it against you). Unfortunately many people hire based on educational qualifications rather than who is best suited to the job. As long as your boss is happy with the job you do, then who cares what qualifications you've got?

Fair play to youy Ted. I own my own recruitment company now, but before that I worked with loads of really good recruiters earning close to and above 6 figures and some of them were academically thicker than a plank, but sharp as anything when selling, which is what it's all about. Lying on your CV is like speeding, the majority of the time it will get you were you want to be much quicker, but you're f*cked if you get caught!!

My Quals are 5A's 6B's at GCSE, 2A's and a B at A Level, BSc in Marketing (2:1), MSc in Management and IT. And I think I can honestly say I don't use much more than the GCSE Maths / English Language and bits of the Marketing I picked up nowadays for my role.

[stujones]

Well I am becoming increasingly dissolutioned with the academic system. I am absolutely sure Ted is good at his job. Yes, maybe he wouldn't have got a looking had he not blagged his CV - but now he is there - he is laughing... leaves this job (on good terms) and he could walk into another similar job without lying on the CV - based on Experience and references.

Experience is the essential ingredient, and I am finding from my experience that Universities are increasingly offering less and less opportunities for hands on stuff... and companies don't want to know. Only jobs I am getting interviews on is when I harp on about the stuff I did at Summer jobs in school. Yes, when it says "qualified at degree level" in the essential bracket - then of course it is a must... but its not as important as factors like "experienced in project work" (if you are looking at project work).

But how do you get the experience if they won't get you a start. I definately won't be actively encouraging my kids to go for a degree... to A levels yes, and if they want to go for a degree - then of course I will financially and emotionally support... but I will be talking to them long and hard about the pro's and cons of going.

[WildWaylon]

So are people saying i shouldn't be doing the job im doing and should maybe stick to road sweeping or some manual labour. Is it a bad thing that i took a chance and it paid off?

I think it's great that you're doing the job and well. It's a shame that you lied on your CV but I can definitely understand it (and wouldn't hold it against you). Unfortunately many people hire based on educational qualifications rather than who is best suited to the job. As long as your boss is happy with the job you do, then who cares what qualifications you've got?

Fair play to youy Ted. I own my own recruitment company now, but before that I worked with loads of really good recruiters earning close to and above 6 figures and some of them were academically thicker than a plank, but sharp as anything when selling, which is what it's all about. Lying on your CV is like speeding, the majority of the time it will get you were you want to be much quicker, but you're f*cked if you get caught!!

My Quals are 5A's 6B's at GCSE, 2A's and a B at A Level, BSc in Marketing (2:1), MSc in Management and IT. And I think I can honestly say I don't use much more than the GCSE Maths / English Language and bits of the Marketing I picked up nowadays for my role.

Yes its true Maths and English in the main do get you through. A lot of the other stuff gets forgotten because you simply dont use it. I think many people boost their CVs to make them more attractive which is fine but I dont like the idear of filling them up with lies as Ted has. Years ago I went to a rather posh nosh house with a girlfriend. When we left I signed the book Lord and Lady whatever, just for a laugh but I think that sort of thing is very different. If I was him I would be frightened that even now they may run a check on him.

[Wax On]

I'm not saying I agree with telling porkies on your CV, but why would Ted be worried about them doing checks now. It's a case of buyer beware, and if they didn't bother doing checks in the 1st place when he was an unknown quantity then why would they now!!

If he's bringing c£300k worth of revenue into the business I'm pretty damn certain they wouldn't give two shits if he'd lied about his sex and his age to boot. My best consultant is always saying he got a 1st but I know he got a "desmond" at best!! Although this is tongue in cheek, the point is, if he's making money for me and I feel that other than a few opportunistic lies on his CV I can trust him, why should I be bothered. I'm employing him as a recruiter not a child nanny.

In response to StuJones, the biggest tip I can give any graduate is to do a placement year in a role relevant to what you want to do. This is an opportunity to get a Blue Chip name on your CV that would be 50 times harder once you're a grad that they have to commit to taking on permanently at full salary. Once you have some experience to talk about at interview and on your CV, you can't go wrong - unless you've got seriously bad social skills and are awful at interview. (Which you can practise anyway).

[demolitiondaley]

Got mostly D's and a couple of C's. Could have done a lot better but it hasn't done me any harm. Got two dream jobs now, a riot cop and pro boxer. Living the dream

[dondada]

Deserter, Loynsey, etc

The old Oxbridge situation really is a strange one, eh? I suppose one could cut off one's nose to spite one's face and not go simply because - and there's absolutely no doubt about this - the old boys network still applies and it's unfair. Just look at the BBC, etc.

Or, you can acknowledge it exists, try and embrace it and make the best of it.

When I was 18, I tried to do what people told me not to. Mainly because I was an arsehole but also because I wanted to push boundaries. My mam was a dinner lady/cleaner; my dad a lorry driver who had been a Para - who is still a voracious reader.

I was told by my sixth form NOT to apply for Bristol - even if I had estimated grades above and beyond, they wouldn't look at me because of my location and background. So I applied. True - I didn't even get an interview, which is disgusting.

I applied for Pembroke, Oxford, via the route where you sit an exam rather than rely on your A level grades. I did a load of essays based on stuff I'd read myself and not in class. Knowing sixth formers as I do, I now realise this is very rare.

I passed the exam (I know lots do) and went for the interview - on my 18th birthday. I just wasn't ready for it. They tore me a new arsehole (and seemed to delight in it) and I'll never forget it. I just had no support or guidance and I just know how different it will be for my children.

It is very annoying though when they do take old boys because of connections and I applaud those people who manage to upset the gilded apple cart.

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Oxbridge entries are based on pure elitism.

I got one of the highest overall scores in the country (I know that because I was on the front of my local paper) for my A-level History, dropping only 15 marks out of a possible 600 (300 A/S and 300 A2). My tutors in sixth form told me that I could easily go on to read History at one of the colleges of Oxford or Cambridge University if I deferred a year and applied again.

Guess what? I did that, waiting a year – and they turned me down. I was a bit disappointed but wasn’t going to commit suicide or anything – and now I’m not even going to do that at uni. The thing that really, really got me down, however, was a girl who lives opposite me went to do history at Cambridge… despite the fact she didn’t get anywhere near the overall score I did.

You know why she got – or at least I think that is the reason – in? She went to a grammar school and I was just in a bog-standard school.

Not fair, is it?

[dondada]

Oxbridge entries are based on pure elitism.

I got one of the highest overall scores in the country (I know that because I was on the front of my local paper) for my A-level History, dropping only 15 marks out of a possible 600 (300 A/S and 300 A2). My tutors in sixth form told me that I could easily go on to read History at one of the colleges of Oxford or Cambridge University if I deferred a year and applied again.

Guess what? I did that, waiting a year – and they turned me down. I was a bit disappointed but wasn’t going to commit suicide or anything – and now I’m not even going to do that at uni. The thing that really, really got me down, however, was a girl who lives opposite me went to do history at Cambridge… despite the fact she didn’t get anywhere near the overall score I did.

You know why she got – or at least I think that is the reason – in? She went to a grammar school and I was just in a bog-standard school.

Not fair, is it?

No, Tom, it isn't fair. It's disgusting.

It makes the Loynesys of this world all the more remarkable. And, knowing you as I do, there's no way they would have been taking on someone without a 'rounded' life, etc.

Try not to let it get you down. It still rankles with me though, obviously.

[dondada]

I'm not saying I agree with telling porkies on your CV, but why would Ted be worried about them doing checks now. It's a case of buyer beware, and if they didn't bother doing checks in the 1st place when he was an unknown quantity then why would they now!!

If he's bringing c£300k worth of revenue into the business I'm pretty damn certain they wouldn't give two shits if he'd lied about his sex and his age to boot. My best consultant is always saying he got a 1st but I know he got a "desmond" at best!! Although this is tongue in cheek, the point is, if he's making money for me and I feel that other than a few opportunistic lies on his CV I can trust him, why should I be bothered. I'm employing him as a recruiter not a child nanny.

In response to StuJones, the biggest tip I can give any graduate is to do a placement year in a role relevant to what you want to do. This is an opportunity to get a Blue Chip name on your CV that would be 50 times harder once you're a grad that they have to commit to taking on permanently at full salary. Once you have some experience to talk about at interview and on your CV, you can't go wrong - unless you've got seriously bad social skills and are awful at interview. (Which you can practise anyway).

Totally aggree with the post. I'm not saying what i did was a good thing but i really had 2 options work in McDonalds or a factory or put my neck on the line and go for it.

You haven't answered any of my questions yet (either on here or by PM -at your instigation) but here's another:

How about option 3 - actually WORKING to get the qualifications you lied about?

As an educator, people like you disgust me. You seem to think it's admirable and talk about 'bottle' and 'taking a chance'.

It isn't. And don't anyone please give me 'that's the way the world works...everyone lies, etc.'. Doesn't make it right.

I know people who have given up years of their lives and put themselves in massive debt to honestly get the qualifications you pretended to have. More fool them, eh? Hmmm.

[yiddo14]

My results were mediocre and during my schooldays I was a World Class Daydreamer.
Maths C
English Lit/Lang B/B
Double Science D/D
Geography C
French C
Art D

I come from a pretty humble background similar to most here. My Family has a history of working for themselves and it is ingrained in me that you never earn real money unless you work for yourself.
I have a host of mates who have excelled at education and are in well paid jobs.
The richest people I personally know though are 3 guys, all retired millionaires(one just sold his Civil Engineering company for over 12 million pound and now lives in Brazil!)in their late 30s and 40s and they are pretty normal guys all without any qualifications at all. The guy now in Brazil can barely read or write(he is also very shit at golf )

Education is very, very important though and when I do eventually have a family and all that, I will certainly direct my children towards University.

It is not the be all and end all though. As some have already brought up here, too many people these days are going onto Uni and not enough are getting themselves a trade.
As a result I have two or three mates with degrees that are envious of the 50-60k a year one of our other friends earns as a Plumber!

[dondada]

Chip shoulder, springs to mind. I DONT recommend anybody do what i did, its that i didn't have many options.

Yes, you're right - I have a chip on my shoulder about people who don't want to work for what other people have to.

Option 3 - getting qualified yourself - might not have been open to you for reasons you reveal more and more with every post.

[dondada]

Chip shoulder, springs to mind. I DONT recommend anybody do what i did, its that i didn't have many options.

Yes, you're right - I have a chip on my shoulder about people who don't want to work for what other people have to.

Option 3 - getting qualified yourself - might not have been open to you for reasons you reveal more and more with every post.

Ian in the kindest way possible get f*cked.

Ah, you win. I can't beat that.

[Chambers2]

I've just rewrote my CV........... I quite honestly didn't realise how many qualifications I've (now) got

[dondada]

I've just rewrote my CV........... I quite honestly didn't realise how many qualifications I've (now) got

Don't forget to add 'More than 3000 posts on Boxrec'!

[Chambers2]

I've just rewrote my CV........... I quite honestly didn't realise how many qualifications I've (now) got

Don't forget to add 'More than 3000 posts on Boxrec'!

It's on there just below my 'fetching the black brick from the bottom of the 2.5m baths' badge