Indian Summer School

I don't think Ethan could have succeeded as now we know he was unclassified in his original exams and so moving up to a C grade in 6 months is unrealistic. They should have selected lads who had a D grade already and would be in a position to benefit.

I felt so sorry for Jack who ended up just one mark off of the C grade he worked hard for. I wonder if he asked for a remark as sometimes an extra mark is found by a different marker especially as English is a little subjective. I can't help wondering if the teaching was going over some of the lads heads. Maybe a few basic lessons would have helped.

I thought it was interesting, but I do wonder if the equivalent amount of money had been put into a proper tutoring course for the boys, identifyng their weaknesses and filling the gaps in their knowledge would they have then managed to get their grades?

Yes, I think a year was needed really. But I'm not sure they could have managed that. It is such a change in culture and they all missed their families.

"Well cost of living is different" - that's true.
As I said, 6 months is too short a time for boys from their background to change. I wish I'd seen the series. Maybe find it on catchup, or it will be repeated.

Well cost of living is different Fennel and this is supposed to be the best school in India or was it the world (I can’t remember) but anyway that’s not really the point I just thought the boys had a blooming fantastic opportunity and it’s sad some of them didn’t embrace it

I missed the series as we've been away. I would think 6 months is far too short a time for any real change to happen.
"I would imagine their salaries are extremely high".
Bluebell - probably much less. Our second son teaches in a similar boarding school in SE India and earns about half of the salary of a UK teacher.
They do get 'perks' though, like housing and health care.
I've been there twice, and it seems that the pupils are very motivated to learn. Education is seen as not just passing exams, which is important obviously, but also many other activities which broaden their outlook on life. And mixing with young people from all over the world.

Sorry Flora but why read a thread about it after it’s finished if you hadn’t want to know the end ?

Oh you have given the end away ladies I did not want to know until I had watched it .

I felt sorry for jack and Ethan who stuck it out and ended up with no different results but the both gained something Ethan from seeing how the other side live and being able to describe his life style to the school and Jack for completing the Himalayas trek and for trying to work hard at his subjects it was disappointing that the English boys were allowed to wander off from classes and lie on their beds or go to the pool I suppose short of tying them in their seats not much they could do when they are ‘visitirs’ I was very annoyed with Alfie who although understandable homesick seemed totally mollie coddled I wanted to put him out in the bush for a week and let him understand work
As an experiment with those particular boys it didn’t really work What an experience they missed out on

I think a year would have had a better outcome. The boys came from a back ground of low achievements and poor school attendance and had the double whammy of a completely different culture and home sickness to contend with. The boys chosen needed to have been very close to getting the C grades BEFORE they started for 6 months to have any real effect IMO

I felt very sorry for Ethan and Jack who I think tried very hard and just ended up getting the same or worse grades in their GCSEs than they'd previously achieved. It must have been so disheartening.

But, I suppose, not that surprising given that Ethan hadn't attended school for two years and all the boys seemed not to have had a basic grounding in English and Maths.

I'm sure the two remaining boys benefited from knowing they were able to persevere even in rather humiliating and difficult circumstances. Also Ethan learned to value education from seeing children from very poor backgrounds who were committed to learning. And Jack did well to complete the Himalaya challenge so that must have given him some satisfaction.

In a way, I felt it was a bit of an advert for the Doon School - which went wrong. I think maybe the headmaster thought that at least some of the boys would pass with flying colours and thus demonstrate how good the school was. But I think it showed is that 6 months in an exceptionally good school - particularly when it is inevitable that there will be a "settling in" period, will not address the many other issues that affect learning.

Jenpax, your suggestion of another series for girls this time, made me think.

I know in some ways girls in India have been treated as "second class citizens" in the past. Presumably now, there are similar top schools for girls, providing their parents can afford to send them.

We also watched and although they didn't make the most of the educational opportunities they certainly grew up a bit. I also couldn't help noticing how their skin improved with no junk food or alchol presumably.

I really enjoyed it, but it seemed 6 months wasn't actually enough for some. They took a long time to settle down and actually work. Not surprising as some had been off school for the last 2 years.

I really felt for Jack, goes all the way to India and still gets bullied. I hope he gets an opportunity and does well in life, he deserves it.

Yes, we watched it and I enjoyed it very much, although got exasperated by their attitudes. Do they think that they will waltz into jobs and not have to abide by some sort of responsibility, at all, ever? I do think that allowing youngsters to flout authority is doing them no favours. (Sorry, that's not what you asked).

It’s been a really interesting series and I would love to see it done again with maybe another school that takes girls next time for a contrast

I saw the last one yesterday, anyone else? Don't want to spoil for those who haven't seen it yet.

Presume you re talking about either Jake or Ethan Seacliff
Ethan must be very very disturbed he’s been out of school for two years through bullying because of his gender identity to then go across the world into a boarding school seemed a step too far to me he’s obviously a very damaged soul who was incredible anxious which came out as diva like behaviour
Jake is a jack the lad who s mother has promised him a car if he gets through this I would imagine he’s used to twisting everyone round his cheeky little finger he ll probably do ok in life with or without exams
I thought it was moving when, was it Jack, got a smiley face against his work and he was so flushed with that little bit of praise
Interesting programme and I think all the teachers were really caring and understanding mind you I would imagine their salaries are extremely high

It was indeed interesting, and showed how a new atmosphere and ethos can increase the educational chances of pupils. I was very impressed by one of the female teachers whose care and concern for her pupils really shone through; and also by the head, whose approach to the boys was exemplary - I thought he handled the (future) transgender lad's hair issue - fair but firm.

It was such a contrast to the programmes documenting several comprehensive schools, which also impressed me by the dedication and real caring of the staff, but whose chaotic and noisy atmosphere truly "did my head in."

I will be interested to see the next episode.