Private Schools

Tropez

dmg24 wrote: »

I would disagree about the lack of value in learning Latin. A knowledge of Latin acts as a solid basis for learning other (Latin based) languages, as well as for being able to understand and interpret new words. It is especially relevant for those who go into Law or Medicine, as much of the terminology has its roots in Latin.

Well having never learned Latin, except for the necessary terms in law, I'll have to yield to experience here, although I would say, while I'm not fluent in any foreign language, I have succeeded in learning more in Latin based languages without having any real knowledge of Latin than I have in Germanic languages, aside from English of course.

VJsmum

No it isn't about earning potential - it is about him maximising opportunities to give him choice and he knows that that is where we are coming from.

He wants to be something in Sport - PE teacher, coach, or something vaguely medical (but knows that he is unlikely to make a doctor) for all these he needs to get GCSEs. He knows my story - poor childhood in terms of money, crap school, failed a levels first time and that i want him to have choices. It isn't us pushing him to be hugely successful - i work in university and know that, often, grades mean nothing. I just want him to be happy, doing something that fulfills, if that is driving trains or coaching a footie team or emptying bins then so be it (OK I am struggling with the bins! ) but he hates school, has asked to be home tutored (which isn't an option, I wish it were). It is a dilemna - especially as i am struggling morally with it too.

emsywoo123

If this thread continues I fear it will descend into the same thread that we get on here every 3 months or so...state vs. private.

We never actually draw any solid conclusions despite regularly thrashing out our opinions, as at the end of the day there is cause for both types, hence why they both exist!

In your particular case OP, I would be very hesitant to consider putting your DS in for just 2 years.....I think even with the best will in the world, he would struggle with the chopping and changing in his education.

Just my thoughts.

emsywoo123

VJsmum wrote: »

especially as i am struggling morally with it too.

Why morally?

sillybilly99

I went to my local comprehensive and turned out OK, but thanks to an inheritance can afford to send my son to private school. I hesitated about applying, but it is an excellent school and he is doing very well, and most importantly enjoying it. The biggest thing I've noticed is the increase in confidence, which I wish I had.

It's worth investigating, and seeing if there is a school that has the right philosophy and approach that you feel your son would benefit from. Not all expect everyone to be brilliant at Maths, and many offer sports scholarships (I notice you mention your son is excellent at sports). Also ask about bursaries.

A different and cheaper option - if Maths is a particular blind spot, have you checked out Kumon?

VJsmum

Bit of a die hard socialist, probably a bit of a guilt complex going on too (we can afford it, but should we afford it kind of thing). It isn't an intention to start a state vs private debate and don't want to comment further on that it is just doing what is right for him.

I think people are right about the 2 year thing tho, we will have to think carefully and plan finances so that it if we do it, it will be four years or not at all.

TooSad

I work in a state secondary and I know it's controversial but I would send my kids to private school given the chance.
I think from the point if view of learning it should be all of secondary years or none. Putting him in for KS3 may well increase his learning over those years but then to revert to a comp where the classes are larger and they may not have necessarily learnt as much as your child in private education would put him at a disadvantage. In the same vein putting him in a comp for KS3 to then put him into private education for KS4 would likely highlight gaps in learning too as the comp more than likely will not be doing the same prep for KS4 as a private school.
I don't work in the best school in the country, but I would be highlighting to the school the effect the behaviour of others, such as fighting is having on your child. It's unacceptable for the school to "fail" your child because if behaviour issues of other students. (just my opinion)

mountainofdebt

My sister is sending my nephew to a private school for his secondary school education and the plan is, at the moment, to send him there for the first year for various reasons - none of which are financial.

I haven't said anything to her but I think she is living in a dream world to think that it would be a good idea to move him once he has had the year there - as it is he is going to be the new boy and once he has spent a year making friends I can't see how it would be beneficial for him to move. Tbh I doubt very much he would move and I can see him staying there until GCSEs (or what ever they're called then) and possibly A levels.

Personally I would want my son to get the best possible start and if this means 'plundering' his university fund to pay for private schooling then so be it - he may not even want to go. However how will your daughter feel at not being given the same opportunities?

As for not seeing the point of maths then have you shown him the non-educational advantages of it - for example learning about angles will help him play snooker :D

emsywoo123

VJsmum wrote: »

I think people are right about the 2 year thing tho, we will have to think carefully and plan finances so that it if we do it, it will be four years or not at all.

Totally agree with this! :T

VJsmum

Mountainofdebt - our daughter wouldn't want to move now anyway, she knows that money is put away for her too (if they want to go). We investigated options for her at secondary stage - local grammer school but all agreed it wouldn't have been right for her.

She also knows that she finds it easier than him and that he will need some help. THey both know that we would do anything to help them. SOmeone hit it on the head when they spoke about confidence - if he's crap at maths then he's crap at maths but at the moment he thinks he's crap at everything despite our best efforts to tell him and show him otherwise.

The tutor we are putting him with used to teach Kumon but has started up his own system which incorporates english, maths and science - it is about confidence building. In the meantime we are going to visit a couple of local-ish private schools.

Thanks again.