Liz Truss described her former school as having “low expectations, poor educational standards and a lack of opportunities”.
Liz Truss’ comments about her former school did not sit well with the local community.
The Tory leadership candidate is facing backlash after explaining the leafy Leeds suburb where she grew up had “low expectations and… lack of opportunities”.
Roundhay, which Truss dubbed the ‘Red Wall Seat’, is home to professional footballers, one of England’s largest parks and an average house price of £332,385 right movement.
Here’s everything you need to know about what school Liz Truss attended in Leeds.
Where is Liz Truss from?
Truss hails from the leafy Leeds suburb of Roundhay.
Located to the west of the city, it is home to one of the largest parks in England.
The Tory leadership candidate lived with her parents in Roundhay, her father was a university professor while her mother worked as a nurse and teacher.
Truss described the area as having “low expectations and… a lack of opportunities”, but the median price for a family home is £572,000 and families earn an average of £55,700 a year.
She has described Roundhay as a “Red Wall Seat” when in fact the area was Conservative from 1955 to 1997 and only turned to Labor after Truss graduated from Oxford University.
Where did Liz Truss go to school?
Truss attended Roundhay School in Leeds.
Set in 22 acres of land it currently has an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.
It boasts an impressive list of alumni, including a university vice-chancellor, judges, former editor of The Sunday Telegraph and Tory MP Nick Gibb.
Truss described her school as having “low expectations, poor educational standards and a lack of opportunity” and that too much talent was “wasted”.
However, her comments were not well received by the community.
In conversation with the Guardiansaid a former student: “These comments are particularly disrespectful to a brilliant team of teachers.
“My mother worked long hours in a specialized learning unit at Roundhay and helped provide extra support so students with learning disabilities have an equal opportunity with their classmates.
“It was one of the few academic achievements of its kind at the time, one of the first of its kind. Far from being a school where students ‘failed’ Roundhay was and still is.”
In an anonymous letter to Yorkshire Posta former school principal described Truss’s comments as “bizarre”.
Added: “As a past Governor of Roundhay School, I am aware that the school has always prided itself on the excellence of its teachers and the achievements of its alumni.
“The school fostered a range of opinions and beliefs among the students, and Liz Truss is the first ex-pupil I know to attribute her conversion to the Conservative Party to the shortcomings of her teaching staff.”
After graduating from Roundhay School, Truss studied philosophy, politics and economics at Merton College, Oxford University.
Where did Rishi Sunak go to school?
Rishi Sunak attended Oakmount Preparatory School in Southampton before attending Stroud School, King Edward IV Preparatory, where he became Head Boy.
Tuition for the prestigious private school is currently £24,665 per year.
After his private school education, Sunak went to study at Oxford University and Stanford University in America.
Speaking of his educational background, the Tory leader hopeful said: “My parents sacrificed a lot so that I could go to good schools.”