Are Private Schools worth it?

gingerdad

cougar wrote:

With regards to money being spent on schools, there is usually more money in state schools than private. Many private schools would rather not equip whole computer suites, whereas my school has had about 100 new computers in the last year and a new building every year for the last five years.

My private school had a network of computers in the late eighties, my wifes state school still has only 4 or 5

arlington_2

My daughter went to our local village first and middle schools but the high school didn't offer a sixth form so we decided to move into the city and send her to a GDST school. That was in year 7. 18 months on and we've lost count of the times we've said "that's £8k a year well spent" to each other.

She's not a snob, nor are any of her friends (she wouldn't put up with it!)

We're very lucky in that she's an only child (just the one to pay for!), very outgoing (makes friends at the drop of a hat) and very bright. But really it depends on the child, the school and how comfortable you feel about it. We are both Labour voters - always have been. We simply appreciate the choice we have.

One of the reasons we went down this road was that we looked at friends who had gone to private schools and, although they certainly aren't snobs, they exuded an air of self-confidence that their childhood had given them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's the only way to self-confidence, but we feel we're giving our daughter the best we can. That's what parenting is all about isn't it? Oh yes, and changing nappies, buying constant new clothes/shoes, providing a free taxi service, cleaning grotty bedrooms...........

tidyfinance

I agree entirely.

Rikki

My son is at a private school. He is a confident and well rounded young man.
A private school is just not academic studies its all the other things that go along with it.
They have a great computer room too with internet access so he is able to go MSE which he uses for advice and stalking me. :eek:

cannyscot_2

We have taken both my children out of a top ten private school and put them into a very good state school. We did move specifically to get them into the school in question and I would recommend doing so if you can. The private school had good facilities and lots of extra trips -sometimes over the top-ie skiing trips for eight year olds costing £800 a go -I did not send mine as I did not like them abroad without us!
But the standard of teaching was no better, there was bullying, and I know in the upper school due to the children having lots of spare money that there was drugs problems.

My children are now happier , have a much more rounded life, the days are now not so long.

Whilst my children were in the private school I thought and in some ways wanted to believe (as I was spending so much money) that they were getting the best of everything but it is not the case. If you actually have sufficient money then you will achieve the same result by moving to get your child into a great state school, ensuring they get extra tution if they need it . The only thing you buy , I feel is access to people who are quite wealthy. They however are in the minority. The general run of people are no better than a very good state catchment.

We had much longer holidays at the private school but the children were tired and at times quite anxious from the pressure. Both of my children are bright and were in the top of their year. It is parental influence that makes the difference and parental expectation.

Having experienced both sectors I can hand on heart say -State but with the proviso -do your homework, move if necessary and be prepared to have more input than the private sector ie tuition, pta, etc

Nenen

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

I just think its disgusting that we are all fighting for our children to get a good education, when the goverment should be providing this for all of them equally, regardless of race, religon and financial persuasion.

As a teacher (18 years state and 6 years private) I couldn't agree more! I find it immoral and hypocritical that the people who run this country at local and national levels (from all political parties) so often choose to opt out of the services that they are in charge of by using only private schools and hospitals for themselves and their families! It reminds me of the Ratners fiasco when the chairman said what c**p was sold in his own shops and laughed at the people who bought it! :mad:

I know that this would not really be feasible (and would contravene all sorts of human rights no doubt too) but I really wish that there was a rule that stated that all elected borough councilors and MPs HAD to send their children to the nearest local state school and his/her immediate family could ONLY be treated in NHS hospitals! I bet if that happened we'd soon see vast improvements in both education and NHS! ALL schools should be GOOD schools.

I read an article in the education papers (TES) recently about the problems of recruiting good headteachers. It was saying that many schools (particularly ones in inner cities) have to wait MORE than TWO YEARS to appoint a new head due to lack of suitable applicants. During this time the deputy is acting headteacher and that person is often turned down repeatedly if s/he applies for the job. The article had a quote from a government source (sorry can't remember who) saying that this was because often the deputy had not got the necessary experience or qualities being looked for. This means that the powers that be are content with schools being run by someone who hasn't the necessary qualities or experience for more than two years! :mad:

Zeitgeist

MyUserNamesTaken wrote:

The words highlighted in your post all come from Latin. The words in brackets are the Latin forms. Care to re-evaluate your opinion?

Almost correct, but the word Anglo came from the Angles (from Schleswig-Holstein in Germany). They and the Saxons from Sachsen and Jutes (from Jutland) invaded and settled extensively in southern and central Britain from the late fourth century onwards. The English word Anglo did not originate in Latin.

These Germanic peoples continued to arrive throughout the fifth and sixth centuries, forming the South Saxon Kingdom (or Sussex), the West Saxon kingdom (or Wessex), and the East Saxon kingdom (or Essex).

Also, school came from the German word Schule, because it was pronounced "shool" until the mid fifteen century but spelt differently in differnet areas of the country, only then was it changed to be pronounced "skool" when a common spelling was implemented.

The original quote stated Anglo-Saxon and Norman French is the basis for English. It is the basis. A vast amount of Latin based words have been added to English, but the base (simpliest words, grammar) is based on Anglo-Saxon and Norman French. Of course, French has its roots in Latin anyway.

gregg1

purplepurple wrote:

I hate to say that most of the dysfunctional people I know have all been through a private education! :snow_laug



I would advise you to go to both your local schools and spend a couple of hours there. I'm sure this will put your mind at ease.... there are tonnes of "horror" stories about state secondary schools... many of which are true... but from my experience 99% of pupils are lovely and that's in even the "roughest" schools.

Children will always have issues, regardless of what sort of background they are from. The problems are just different. From my experiences of teaching in a private school, some of the pupils feel abandoned by parents who are paying others to look after them... that all they really want is more time with their families. some pupils in state schools are battling with poverty, having to work in the evenings, caring for an ill parent etc etc... you just have to visit all the schools you are thinking of applying to and trust your instincts! I really wouldn't put too much faith in the league tables to be honest... they're manipulated beyond belief.......also they will be changing soon... at the moment, a GNVQ is classed as 4 GCSE passes, so many results are inflated by the inclusion of GNVQ results, but this will change soon.....

totally agree with your bit about the GNVQ's. My OH's school has been relying on this farce to "improve" their results for a long time but, as you say, this is all about to change - and not before time.

andycarmi

Just something I was thinking. A private school at the end of the day a business and performance means a lot after all who is going to pay all that money for a school that doesn't deliver the goods!!!

Tondella

I was sat in the park the other Saturday, and a group of young (15yish) lads finished up their football match and came and sat on the bench next to us. Living in london there was the typical mix of skin tones, accents and nationalities. The lads were rowdy and jokey but when some mud from the boots that one of them was cleaning flew across to our bench the boy in question quickly apologised. They were a pleasure to listen to, their chat mostly consisted of talk about football, some light jibing of their friends etc, there was a bit of swearing and a lot of street talk. When they parted they went to a great effort to say goodbye to each other, and thank some lads who were not part of their immediate group for coming to play.

After they had left OH and I commented on how pleasant it had been to listen to them talk, and what a good bunch of lads they seemed to be. It struck me that this harmonious mixing of cultures and backgrounds was possible because they went to a comprehensive school.