Questions to ask about High School

Mr_Thrifty

OK, I exaggerated the point. But basically at the independent (private) schools you don't get anywhere near the type and level of behavioural problems that state schools almost always have. The difference is that kids at independent schools tend to have affluent parents that want their kids to succeed. State schools however unfortunately always have a clan of losers that are only there because the law requires them to be. This is a fact.

HelenKA_2

OK, I exaggerated the point. But basically at the independent (private) schools you don't get anywhere near the type and level of behavioural problems that state schools almost always have. The difference is that kids at independent schools tend to have affluent parents that want their kids to succeed. State schools however unfortunately always have a clan of losers that are only there because the law requires them to be. This is a fact.

Sorry Mr Thrifty,

it's not like that.

In my experience the private school has just as much/little bullying as any other, the difference is that the private school parents think they can dictate what happens as they are paying for education.

In both types of schools are parents who think their own darling cannot possibly be the perpetrator and it is THIS that is the problem not whether it is private or state education.

Think this thread will get closed now - good luck in your choice OP!

jackieglasgow

Well I hope it doesn't get closed, I am looking for some help!

HelenKA_2

jackieglasgow wrote: »

ecgirl thank you for that point. My soon is really keen to learn a particular language, and although that won't be the deciding factor, it is somethine we have to consider, does anyone know if the school can "outsource" a subject a child wants to learn, but they can't provide. For example, if the school doesn't teach Chinese but another school in the LEA area does, could the child's timetable be arranged that they could attend the other school for that subject? I have a vague recollection of this happening when I was at school, but that was many moons ago

It can still happen but they probably won't tell you until the time as it all depends on 'the columns' which aren't dealt with until the summer term of S4/5. Good to consider though.

jackieglasgow

I am in Scotland, so it would be at the end of S2, when they are planning standard grade classes, I would imagine, but I will be asking about if it has happened historically, thanks.

molthedoll

well having taught in both state and private schools could i just clarify:

bullying exists in whichever type of school you attend - you need to ask about the school's policy on this

bad behaviour exists in whichever type of school you attend - it just varies depending on the type of school and how SMT deal with issues that crop up

the most important thing is the curriculum, extra - curricular opportunities, as well as the list i outlined above.

also you can get the vibe of a place when you visit on open day - i kno schools on these occassions spruce up to look their best etc but it gives you a chance to talk to teaching staff and see what inf of people are employed at the school

additionally if you want to see a school on a normal working day request a tour - private schools will bend over backwards to do this especially in the current economic climate

you also want to see how the students interact with ther teachers and peers in class or around the school - on an open day the fact that many students help out is a good indicator that the relationships are good and that students are proud of their school

jackieglasgow

Thanks again mol, my first visit with the first school is out of hours, but I will be there early to watch the kids leaving, and see how it goes from there.

MrsBartolozzi

We live between two town/cities and so had a proper choice of 2 high schools for our boys. One thing I'd look at is the difference in numbers of pupils between 4th and 5th years. In one school the number dropped dramatically, and when we questioned the teachers it seemed that many of the pupils were just attending (or not?) until the earliest they could leave and so we felt this would not offer the best learning environment IYKWIM?
Assuming the academic values of the schools you are looking at are pretty similar, have a look at the extra curricular activities the school is involved in. Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, local community voluntary work, foreign ties etc show that staff are willing to be involved in with pupils outwith the classroom and it all helps to broaden children's horizons. Our school is great for this. There is a core group of staff who are very willing to give up their weekends etc to take the kids up a mountain or to an interesting talk in Edinburgh and a willing, enthusiastic teacher always seems to make the learning experience much better.

jackieglasgow

Thanks MrsB that's a good point about leavers, because they get the EMA now to make them stay on don't they? Very good point. What also bothers me about the league tables I have seen, is that they concentrate on the number of kids in 5th having 5 Highers or more, now I don't think kids now are any cleverer than when I was at school, and although I was one of the better pupils academically at school, I only did 4 in 5th year, then did 2 and 2 x SYS in 6th year, as I was too young to go to uni after 5th year didn't see the point in killing myself with 6 highers in one year, there must be penty of other kids in that situation. In fact, most of the kids at my school who stayed on another year did SYS and another higher or two, and left a wee bit older and more mature. So really the league tables should state leaving school with X amount of highers, not how many a small number of students achieved in one year. oops that was a bit of a rant

HelenKA_2

jackieglasgow wrote: »

I am in Scotland, so it would be at the end of S2, when they are planning standard grade classes, I would imagine, but I will be asking about if it has happened historically, thanks.

Ah I hadn't realised DS would be wanting to take the language at Standard Grade. I've never seen anyone be given the option of going elsewhere at that stage, only in S5/6. These columns are less flexible at S3 since there are more students to cater for.

He could always negotiate doing the standard grade of the language in S5 elsewhere, this was allowed at our school but obviously only if the teachers were all in agreement, and it fitted with 'the columns'. . . .