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Wayne McCullough hooked on daughter’s education
Thursday, 10 September 2009
enlargeDespite being unfazed by the 11-plus largely due to the fact that he had no idea of its significance, former World boxing champion Wayne McCullough sailed through with an A grade.
The retired sportsman, who now lives in America, said: “I went to Springhill Primary School in west Belfast and, although I enjoyed school and looked forward to going everyday, I don't really remember experiencing any great pressure or discussion about doing the 11-plus or what it could potentially mean for my further education and|ultimately my future.
“I remember knowing that our class all had to do a ‘big test' but I thought it was to just to determine which secondary school we would all go to, as grammar schools were alien to me.
“I already knew before the results which secondary school I was going to. It was a given that I would go to Cairnmartin as it was close by my home.”
Passing with top marks had little influence on Wayne’s phenomenal career as one of the world’s most successful boxers. And he confesses that it wasn’t until he became a parent himself that he first realised the importance of a good education.
Even though he now lives in Las Vegas with his family, Wayne said the high standard of education in Northern Ireland influenced how his daughter would be taught.
He explains: “My daughter Wynona is 11 years old and throughout her early childhood we deliberated about bringing her to Northern Ireland to have her schooled.
“We researched the various systems in the US and the UK and realised that Northern Ireland's was second to none. However, due to travelling and the demands of my career, it was easier to home school her at the beginning and this has had a superbly positive effect on her life and one that we have continued with her to this day.
“I encourage her all the way and will support her in whatever career path she decides to take. She's already talking about a number of colleges she would consider when she turns 18 and nowadays I think, rightly or wrongly, that college or university is not just a possibility but a must for anyone who wants to achieve greater things in life.
“In America there are no tests for Wynona’s age. She studies hard and gets amazing grades and particularly enjoys languages.
“So far she's an A student and maybe we passed something on to her having both got our 11-plus exams in Northern Ireland back in the 70s.
Although the current transfer tests will not affect his daughter, Wayne said: “I think the standard that has already been set by a system acclaimed throughout the world should not be allowed to slip.
“I understand that there is extreme pressure on children at such a tender to age to perform and I think that is something which needs to be addressed.
“Equally though, I do not think the education system should be downgraded as the children really are our future and it is our responsibility to give them the best start in life and the best education we can provide.”
For those taking the tests, the ex-champ, now a sports commentator and boxing coach, had these words of advice: “I tell my daughter and any young people I speak to during my motivational visits to schools, youth groups, drug awareness facilities and young offenders’ centres to stay in school. It's a competitive world out there and kids need to grab the educational opportunity with both hands.”
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Parental Alliance for Choice in Education 14.09.09, 08:31 states "PACE is a parents' organisation without conflict or competition of interests"
From what I can discover PACE is ONE parents organization!
Posted by Exasperated | 15.09.09, 12:59 GMT
I failed my 11+ yet still managed to get 10 GCSEs at grade C or better and went on to do my A levels.
Like others, I think it's good to have an open debate about this.
I think that 'education' as it is isn't everything. If you look at the winners of The Apprentice for example they seldom have winners that were greatly educated. A few years ago the last two contestants didn't have four GCSEs between them. We have hundreds of graduates that are doing jobs they are wildly over qualified for (educationally speaking).
Posted by honest Joe | 15.09.09, 11:24 GMT
So Exasperated and like-minded education ideologues wish to drive attainment standards down. Evidence of the levelling down in results via comprehensivisation is replete. Exasperated also seems to link PACE to the self-serving AQE in the charge of exclusive interest in individual institutions. PACE is a parents' organisation without conflict or competition of interests. It is clear that their is no support from Exasperated in upholding parental choice and the provision of scientific evidence. The employment of misquotation such as his 'acclaimed throughout the world' statement demonstrates a lax and cynical approach to debate.
If Exasperated had real concern for a system not delivering he would post on the failures of the primary school numeracy and literacy programmes. PACE parents need no lessons from comprehensive ideologues thank you.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 14.09.09, 08:31 GMT
The statement: ''....rather the entire system that is not delivering for our young people'' is false. This year N Ireland grammar schools out-performed fee-paying schools in N E England by 4% in A level results. Throughout England and Wales fee-paying schools( with 7% of all entrants ) out-performed all the comprehensives put together.
20% of our children here ( circa 12000 ) are under-achieving for a variety of reasons ( singly or in totality ) viz., poor teaching, inappropriate curriculum, disadvantaged economic home backgrounds, lack of motivation and aspiration.
American and British social scientists have identified family background as the leading determinant in student success in all types of school.The U K has one of the highest gaps in income between rich and poor. The scarce positions of high earners are sought after and create a competitive, selective ranking system influenced by private wealth.
No educational system can solve social inequality without economic policies.
Posted by George | 12.09.09, 10:53 GMT
PACE D'oh! Of course selective schools would be expected to do better than 'comprehensives' they can pick and choose who they let in (I can't believe I have to point out to you that’s the whole point of 'selection'). My concern is not the individual institutions that you seem to love, rather the entire system that is not delivering for our young people.
Readers note PACE has never cited evidence to support his stance:- no such evidence exists, indeed any research published demonstrates the damage allowing selection to exist inflicts on a countries education system.
Even grandiose statements such as we have the best education system 'acclaimed throughout the world' cannot be supported by any evidence; rather many of our competitors are out performing our system.
Posted by Exasperated | 11.09.09, 13:10 GMT
Exasperated must think think that only anti-choice, anti-academic selection points of view are considered "evidence" Please point to any scientific peer reviewed publications in journals that show that comprehensive schools outperform grammar schools. Even Gallagher and Smith's tomes admit to the "grammar school effect"
Home schooling has become an unintended consequence of the Minister's efforts to impose comprehensive schools in Northern Ireland.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 11.09.09, 09:08 GMT
It's lovely that Wayne has taken such an interest in Northern Ireland's education system and even considered bringing his daughter back here to educate her but we all know that Wayne's career kept him in the States.
Well done to him for speaking out on this issue. We could use a lot more celebrities views.
Thanks Wayne. You're one of a kind who has never forgotten where he came from.
Come back to Belfast and fight. We can't wait.
Your fan forever.
Joanna
Posted by Joanna Portman | 10.09.09, 17:29 GMT
Wayne's expressing views which are characteristic
of any parent who involves themself in their
child's education. Good for him.
The grammar/secondary school dichotomy in
NI as it stands is unfair on secondary school pupils
as it condemns them to fewer opportunities. It
also restricts the development of grammar school
pupils as they are too focussed on exams and
written work - to the detriment of experience
of manual skills.
Wayne's point I think is that he realises how his
own academic achievement was limited only by
a lack of ambition arising from his social class, and that he is glad his daughter has more scope for her ambitions and abilities. There's nothing wrong with that, unless you are an ideologue who prefers an education system formed on socialist principles, to the detriment of personal achievement.
Posted by russell | 10.09.09, 14:22 GMT
This adds nothing to the 11-plus debate. Who cares? One of the world’s most successful boxers? Please
Posted by Ed | 10.09.09, 12:24 GMT
Wayne really; "a system acclaimed throughout the world" please provide supporting evidence for this statement!
Our system has been thoroughly studied and researched; numerous peer-researched publications have felt able to publish damning indictment of academic selection (go on line look 'em up in the library!)
This clap trap, which is taken at face value without supporting evidence, is trotted out again and again by the pro grammar lobby yet when challenged they cannot point readers to any credible supporting research.
Statement such as Wayne’s are as meaningful as saying "you can't trust 'em, their eyes are too close together!"
Posted by Exasperated | 10.09.09, 11:35 GMT