Interesting about the grammar school status. I understand that many private schools were originally based on charitable funding; I wonder how recently the concept of fee-paying schools came about.

I look back with pleasant memories of my time at NHS, but I rather suspect I was just good at ignoring the people and behaviour that I didn’t like. The defining aspect of my schooling is that I am still friends with many of the people I was best friends with back then. In fact we’ll be away next weekend for our annual get-together (with Tim et al), this year renting a big house just over the border into England. It is a pleasure that connections made as a teenager can last a lifetime.