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We ask parents to complete a pen portrait of their child
as part of the paperwork when he or she joins the school
as a new pupil. Some guidance ('academic', 'interests and
pastimes', 'family background' etc.) is given. The parents
tend to write at length and with apparent enthusiasm. One
Army officer put a line through the form, writing only "Find
out for yourself", but he was the exception.
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Two main benefits. First, the tutor and others are given
early insights into their new charges and get off to a flying
start with them, so to speak. Second, aspects of background
information about a new pupil, which would not necessarily
come to light by other means, can appear in the pen portrait.
We find them very useful and interesting documents - but
they are not to be taken as gospel: some of the children
who turn up at school do not display all of the saintly
characteristics claimed for them by their discerning, objective
parents.
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