Does private schooling help to get a nice career?

Lunar_Eclipse

barnaby-bear wrote: »

If a school doesn't have the teachers to deliver a sylabus or problems in doing it effectively options are limited.

I agree with you also, was let down similarly by my A level Maths teacher who ran out of time to teach the full syllabus and am slightly worried because as a parent, how do you really know until it's potentially too late?

My eldest, although only 8, wants to be a vet. I am well aware that this really means three Science A-levels all at grade A. Although it is early days, she's bright and I'm confident that she could achieve this if she applied herself. However, I'm not sure whether our local state secondary school (11-16) offers single science GCSE's. In fact I'm sure I've heard other parents mention dual Science and further Science (for the top stream), implying they don't (although they have specialist Science status). Which presumably could make A's at A-Level harder?

DH & I are in discussion as to whether to go private or state at 11. The discussion is purely financial. I don't really want to be swayed by the career aspirations of an 8 year old, but obviously don't want to knowingly make her potential journey more difficult than it will already be.

Any advice based on your scientific experience?

barnaby-bear

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I agree with you also, was let down similarly by my A level Maths teacher who ran out of time to teach the full syllabus and am slightly worried because as a parent, how do you really know until it's potentially too late?

My eldest, although only 8, wants to be a vet. I am well aware that this really means three Science A-levels all at grade A. Although it is early days, she's bright and I'm confident that she could achieve this if she applied herself. However, I'm not sure whether our local state secondary school offers single science GCSE's. In fact I'm sure I've heard other parents mention dual Science and further Science (for the top stream), implying they don't (although they have specialist Science status). Which presumably could make A's at A-Level harder?

DH & I are in discussion as to whether to go private or state at 11. The discussion is purely financial. I don't really want to be swayed by the career aspirations of an 8 year old, but obviously don't want to knowingly make her potential journey more difficult than it will already be.

Any advice based on your scientific experience?

I think it depends on the school, and the teachers. Some schools use dual science to hide the fact they have no physics or chemistry teachers so push the class into the environmental modules which can be taught by a geographer or the essay ones on the implications of having nuclear power etc. Ask what qualifications the people teaching the subjects have - are there enough teachers with a degree/A-level in the basic sciences to go round. Do the science dept. have lots of essays on flowers/wind power up or is there scientific apparatus and test tubes around (like when we were young). A specialist school is likely to be more clued up and also attract similarly oriented kids.

Parents often don't know until it's too late but you can get past exam papers and ask kids if they can do them or answer questions in the textbook. You don't have to go private - there's a halfway - an undergraduate student as a tutor from your local university who's recently done the A-level subjects will have a good idea as to whether the kid is being well taught and offer a bit of support. There are lots of student forums that will also give an idea but yes the problem is how on earth can parents know if part of the syllabus is being skimmed over.

I think we are one of only 5 or maybe 6 universities that do vet. science. Lots of 3 A candidates get rejected, so few places - the thing that can make a difference is demonstrating dedication and good work experience. If you are in a rural area get involved with the young farmers, volunteer to do lambing. Volunteer at the RSPCA shelter/local vet - not just two weeks experience but consistently and for a length of time - useful also to know if you really like animal muck/rabid dogs etc.

poet123

I would agree that the sciences are one of the areas where state provision is not as wide ranging as private,so if it is vital that you get the breadth of scientific options then private may well be your best choice. That said,career aspirations change dramatically,and there is no guarantee that if you choose a school for that reason at 11,their aspirations will be the same at option time!!

hellyboo_2

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

Did you not want to be a doctor before grammar school then?

Sorry for late reply tinkerbell! I have ALWAYS wanted to be a doctor, I can't remember a time when I didn't.

I suppose in my case the grammar school was better academically than the local private school and the reason my parents moved to the area before we were born. I wish we were near to my old school for my daughters but as I mentioned they will go to private school.

enor

I went to private school and It really hasn't helped me either academically or work wise. I'm currently working in a call centre.

My parents always joke that they wasted all that money on my education, but the answer to that is always "what would I have turned out like if they hadn't"

I've had a quick look through Facebook and I'd say out of around 50 people I went to school with 6 or 7 are in really good jobs, another 5 odd are in middle management type positions, and the rest are in jobs like mine, unemployed, or living off handouts from parents (and therefore have no need to work).