Our Mission

Eton Collge VIP exists to make people laugh while examining the institutions, traditions and peculiarities that shape British life.

Our principal subject is Eton and the enormous cultural shadow cast by one of Britain’s most famous schools.

But the real subject is bigger than a school.

It is class.

It is privilege.

It is tradition.

It is power.

It is education.

It is Britishness.

And it is the extraordinary ability of Britain to maintain a completely straight face while doing things that would sound invented in almost any other country.

Satire as Commentary

We believe satire is more than entertainment.

A good joke can expose an assumption.

A ridiculous story can reveal a serious contradiction.

An exaggerated character can illuminate a genuine cultural type.

An imaginary institutional announcement can make readers reconsider the real institution behind it.

That is the tradition in which Eton Collge VIP operates.

Examining Tradition

Eton’s history stretches back to 1440.

That is an impressive amount of time for any institution to accumulate customs, stories, reputations, legends and opportunities for jokes.

We are interested in what those traditions mean today.

Some are charming.

Some are strange.

Some are controversial.

Some are simply excellent material for satire.

Independent Voice

Eton Collge VIP does not speak on behalf of Eton College.

We do not claim to represent its students, teachers, governors, alumni or administration.

Our role is that of an independent commentator and satirist.

Humor Without Pretending

Our readers should know when they are reading satire.

We may write in the style of a newspaper article, official announcement, interview, institutional memo or breaking-news report.

That is part of the joke.

The fictional format should not be confused with official communication.

Our Goal

We want to create material that is:

• funny;
• intelligent;
• surprising;
• culturally relevant;
• recognizably satirical;
• independent;
• and entertaining.

We want readers to finish an article having laughed at the joke and perhaps thought about the underlying subject.

Our Mission in One Sentence

Eton Collge VIP uses satire to examine Eton, Britain and the peculiar institutions that somehow continue to take themselves extremely seriously.