We're smart too

The high schools – being La Mare de Carteret, Les Beaucamps and St Sampson's – have always been portrayed as schools for 'chavs' and illiterate teenagers. However, 'some' people do not understand that students who go to these schools actually have brains. Just because we did not pass our 11-plus does not mean that we do not have a chance of getting Cs or higher in our GCSEs.

'How are you going to make sure that children from the high schools are actually clever enough to be in the same room as my child?' This quote from a parent who has a child at the Grammar School has absolutely disgusted me.

I believe that this highly prejudiced comment is unnecessary and very discriminatory towards those students who attend high schools. We are just as good – or even better – than some of the students who did pass their 11-plus.

Just because we do not go to the Grammar School does not mean that we are not as smart (or smarter) than those who do. In my opinion, I do not believe it matters what school you go to as long as you try your hardest to get the grades you want. We all have a fair chance of obtaining those precious grades we need in order to continue with our further education, and we get an equal chance of getting them regardless of what school we go to.

All of this negativity about the high schools has always been around. However, it has increased since the Guernsey Education Department has announced that it is going to be introducing a federation system among the five secondary schools in Guernsey. The new federation will mean that we 'have to work together' with those from other schools. However, I do not really think I would like that if students from the high schools are seen as inferior to those who go to the Grammar School. For this to work, we all have to be seen as equals – both the staff and students.

It saddens me to see such horrible things written about the high schools, and I seriously hope it changes.

Name and address withheld.