Visiting Hogwarts (Birkenhead School Open Day)

I am convinced that John went to Hogwarts for his primary education.  We went to the so-called Birkenhead School (it's really Hogwarts) Open Day over the weekend.  Here he is in front of the cricket/Quidditch field.

Walking through the gates of Birkenhead is pretty impressive.  Manicured lawns and gardens, beautiful old, stone buildings.  The pupils wear blazers; the prefects get cape-like garments; the teachers were unfortunately wearing their suits rather than robes.  A lot of the families visiting looked very presentable as if vying for a coveted future spot for their children.  The kids and I should have dressed up more, and I should have wiped the granola bar crumbs off the kids' shirts.  We were welcomed by a language teacher who engaged Michael and Anna in an early interview/conversation.  In the process, she asked if they learned any other languages.  Michael's response:  "Yes. We learned Italian in the car."  I'll consider that score 1 for the Couplands.  (I was in fact leading a crash course in the car in anticipation of my trip to Italy in a few days.)

We went to the headmaster's presentation in a hall adorned with portraits of chancellors and important looking people in white wigs and robes.  None of them were smiling, as you can imagine.  Birkenhead is a very selective, elite prep school which typically ranks at the top every year in A-Level exams and GCSE scores.  Responsibility and resiliency are key facets of the education.  Students travel half-way around the world to perform with chamber orchestras, work with orphans, and solve the plight of the muggles.  85% of last year's graduates got into their #1 choice of university; 65% went to an elite university.  We saw photos of pupils who earned 12 A*/A's in their A-level exams.  

At age 5, John took an entrance exam, and weeks later, an owl appeared with an invitation to platform 9 3/4.  His tie was red and black, the colors of his House.  He had a beanie cap too.

The chapel on the school grounds

On our way to (free) lunch in the dining hall, we stopped to watch the choir rehearse in the impressive school chapel.  We also played checkers on a giant board.  John and I noted the absence of playground equipment.  No slides, swings, climbing frames.  The "Little School" for 5 year olds did have a couple classy looking wooden structures.  Everyone else apparently plays rugby, cricket or Quidditch.

Overdale House, where John spent Years 7 & 8

"Look Mommy, a big marshmallow at Daddy's school!"