Does private schooling help to get a nice career?

Woby_Tide

Geenie wrote: »

But no regerets, as having an 18 year old loving Shakespeare, science, music, sport and her school has made it worthwhile.

Without putting a downer on it but many state educated children will turn out with exactly the same 'worthwhile' attributes but at a fraction of the cost

milliebear00001

I'd say you get very few guarantees with kids!

BUT...I think you are more likely to do well academically if you have the benefits that tend to come with private schools (and I say this as a teacher in the state sector). Statistically, you are likely to do better in exams, and that may mean you are more likely to go on to a more financially lucrative career.

HOWEVER...I also think that children often do just as well in state education. I have a niece privately educated who gave up on A Levels and is currently working as a receptionist. I went to a state school in a very deprived inner-city area, but did very well academically. You just can't ever tell for sure!

As a parent, you would also need to consider whether exam success is important to you, and whether financial success for your children is important to you.

barnaby-bear

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I'd say you get very few guarantees with kids!

BUT...I think you are more likely to do well academically if you have the benefits that tend to come with private schools (and I say this as a teacher in the state sector). Statistically, you are likely to do better in exams, and that may mean you are more likely to go on to a more financially lucrative career.

HOWEVER...I also think that children often do just as well in state education. I have a niece privately educated who gave up on A Levels and is currently working as a receptionist. I went to a state school in a very deprived inner-city area, but did very well academically. You just can't ever tell for sure!

As a parent, you would also need to consider whether exam success is important to you, and whether financial success for your children is important to you.

Errm been pondering whether to wade in - I interview and teach science undergraduates at a "good university".

In the arts history/english etc - straight A students from state schools do a little bit better than equivalent entry private sector kids - probably less hothoused so a litte potential in reserve.

In science this isn't the case and we have a lot of bright kids come in from the state sector and struggle because they are so far behind that they always play catch-up.

The difference I see is that the subject choices for science:
- state sector regularly have kids doing business or computer science A-level and they apply for computer science, we're only really interested in a straight maths A-level; the private sector seem less keen on pushing the newer A-levels to bump school league tables and tend to stick to traditional subjects
- seperate science GCSEs; a lot of state schools do dual science or some weird mix that means where they can't find teachers for physics they replace it with 'environmental science' taught by a geography teacher, the kids write essays on nuclear power and its environmental concerns but don't knw what a resistor in a basic control unit is or does
- further maths; most of the private schools offer this - very rare in the state sector - when a large proportion of the course have studied large chunks already they naturally do better so very tough for the state sector entrants
- science teachers - teachers prefer the cushy private sector and as a result science in some state schools very patchy - multiple teachers with qualifications in very vaguely related areas
- bad careers advice - a lot of state sector pupils simply do not apply and have had discouragement from teachers saying we will not admit them, or such bad advice to subject choices that we can't

The days of asking parental occupation etc. and old school connections are long gone, we can get more funding by widening access and most admission tutors extremely commited to spotting potential talent. We do not offer private sector pupils lower offers in fact the only concessions we make for entry are for people from very difficult educational/home backgrounds on deprivation grounds
http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/
"You are eligible for the Scheme if either of the following apply:

• Very few people from your school/college proceed to higher education AND your family has little or no tradition of studying for a degree.
• Your education has been significantly disrupted or disadvantaged through health or personal problems, disability or difficulties with schooling."

Private schools also have the advantage that they can sling out disruptive elements.

I personally think it was better with state grammars when the quality of the school was determined by academic selection - now the state sector seems extremely biased by your ability to buy a house in the right postcode.

I think in the sciences private and grammar schools offer better provision for GCSEs and A-levels and better prepare kids for science degrees and hence widen choices but I see plenty of mediocre private schools and plenty of great state schools (often in leafy stockbroker suburbs).

University salaries don't stretch to private schooling and I do worry that I as a result my kids choices may be limited simly because the schools don't teach the subjects or cna't teach them well.

jamtart6

I went to a grammar and think I was pushed harder than if I'd gone to the comprehensive. That isn't saying both schools were not good, just that my abilities were better suited at the grammar. Had I not passed the 11+, the comprehensive would have catered for my needs much better, as they just don't push like grammar schools do (pushing did me good though!).

As for private schools, I work in a professional job and we have people like me working there, people from a working class background who are bright doing the same job and a person from a private school doing the same job as well - so to me, it has not made a jott of difference!

"having an 18 year old loving Shakespeare, science, music, sport and her school has made it worthwhile. " - to the OP who said this, I can say I have exactly the same loves as the person you mention here, and was not privately schooled.

I actually think that going to a school from mixed wealth backgrounds has helped me with social skills a lot more than a private school would have (a mixed sex, non selective school would have also enhanced this no doubt).

IMHO, I would not waste £2500 a term on fees for a child, I would be more inclined if I knew that the child like school and was interested. No amount of money can make lazy kids like school or do well, I have found it pushes them the opposite way.

Loz01

I dont think it makes a difference which school you've attended! I went to the local comprehensive, I'm about to graduate Uni with a Psychology degree so I havent fared too badly!

I dont think it matters if you pay the school to teach your child or not. At the end of the day, people in my year at school got 5 A's in their A Levels and are now at Oxford, and there parents have saved thousands upon thousands of pounds. Whereas people from the posh school down the road only managed C's and D's in their A Levels

Lunar_Eclipse

grahamliza4 wrote: »

The support you get from parents is crucial

wondering why they don't have a 'help' at home who does this while mummy goes to the spa. Any spare cash would be well spent on books, trips to places, music lessons, etc. It's all about the experience you get growing up.

Does this make sense? I hope you get my point, I struggle to put this across to other people I'm afraid.

Your comment about parents is paramount. And you quoted a few examples where I suspect this was not present (strippers, alcoholic etc.) But imagine the power of an incredibly supportive home AND a brilliant education. Heartbreaking to read your story.

Home helps and spas (well tennis lessons and personal trainers actually) describe my state school so made me laugh! I think I'm the only person I know without a cleaner. :rotfl:

It makes a lot of sense, yes. Thank you.

Threebabes

My husband went to state school, not a very good one either. Hes managed a degree and phd part time whilst working. Hes v motivated though, and as its been said I think a lot is down to the individual.

DKLS

I was awarded a scholarship to a private school, My mother couldnt otherwise afford the fees being a midwife.
I now earn over 50k a year, any connection that has to do with a private schooling, I am not so sure, more down to luck and being in the right place at the right time.

blackcoffee

Im my husbands career, old school, your school does help ..... in recent interviews those that had private school listed on thier CV's jumped ahead of others, qualifications didnt come into it.

bank_of_slate

I think it depends if the kids enjoy it.
Both my cousins went to private school, didn't enjoy it rebelled against it completely whereas me & my sis who went through regular school have both got excellent jobs.
...Linda xx