Remove. What is the origin of this term?

[mike11111]

In my first year at grammar school in 1960 I was placed in class 2A. there was no 1A. We progressed to 3A and 4A, each digit signifying a year older than we really were. After 4A we went into Remove A, then into 5A, thus restoring the numerical balance, unless you were lucky like me to get the chance to do the core O Levels in the Remove and jump straight into the Lower Sixth. But why Remove?

[MarkRae]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyfriars_School

Ctrl-F Remove

[Mamyalynne]

3. (Social Science / Education) Brit (in certain schools) a class or form, esp one for children of about 14 years, designed to introduce them to the greater responsibilities of a more senior position in the school

[mike11111]

Thanks for that Mark, thought it doesn't really explain the origin of the term. I well remember the "Fat Owl of The Remove" before the books were banned, but there must be some other significance. In my very early days of teaching I once taught in a private school where certain classes were called "Shell". Never worked that one out either.

[mike11111]

I was not seeking a definition, even my feeble brain can cope with that, merely the historical origin of the term.

[Mamyalynne]

ooh sorry