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Are we worrying too much about our son's schooling?
Comments
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I actually thought about Secondary school education before I thought about Primary. There's 17 Secondary schools where I live and only a handful I'd want mine at. I looked up the admission policy of our council, catchment is the main criteria here and moved.
I took the chance that the admission criteria wouldn't change and that the school wouldn't go downhill in the interim years as we moved before DS was 2, but knowing the area well, I thought it unlikely the school would become as bad as some of the ones I wouldn't consider. I'm glad I thought it out, 50 children didn't get in to DS's school for yr7.0 -
Firstly, I'd say it's really important to visit potential schools rather than just read ofsted reports,
Secondly, I am a teacher in a really tough school and there is not a chance on the planet I would send my kids there. Staff are lovely and professional but we are simply overwhelmed by the level of behaviour. It breaks my heart watching kids go downhill.Updating soon...0 -
Also, remember that most children go to their nearest school, and if you don't like the make-up of the pupils you won't be very relaxed about your child mixing with them outside of school. It isn't always possible to dictate who they make friends with, but you can increase the pool size of "suitable" possible friends. So I'd say move to the catchment of the school you may want your child to attend.[0
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Thanks for all the replies!
I pretty much think the same as you all, we would have to move to the area with the best schools but really do our research first. Either that or we would possibly relocate, maybe abroad but thats long term thinking.
We rent so it isnt difficult for us to move at all once we are the end of a tenancy and there are some good areas with good schools which are doable.
Just answering about secondary schools, we have some good ones again in the better areas and some excellent grammar schools, which ideally we would prefer but that depends on whether its what our son would be happy with and felt he could cope with and he could pass the 11+.0 -
Nice to see that the illusion that parental apathy, bad behaviour, poor teaching, and children with special needs simply don't exist in private schools is alive and well...
(NB. I teach in a private school.)
OP, I would definitely drop the idea of private school for the reasons above (plus, as others point out, you can't afford it). Either move to the other area, or trust your ability as a parent to raise your son well regardless of what "crappy" school he may end up attending in your current area.0 -
The private school may be one answer....
But!
What will happen out of school? Will you allow your child to mix with local children?
Also, having worked for a while in a private school a few years back, I have to say I was shocked by some to the attitudes! I had to pull a pupil up for bad behaviour once - only to be told - you cant tell me what to do - my dad pays your wages! Many of the pupils seemed to have a bit of an attitude!"Aunty C McB-Wik"
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"
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Nice to see that the illusion that parental apathy, bad behaviour, poor teaching, and children with special needs simply don't exist in private schools is alive and well...
(NB. I teach in a private school.)
OP, I would definitely drop the idea of private school for the reasons above (plus, as others point out, you can't afford it). Either move to the other area, or trust your ability as a parent to raise your son well regardless of what "crappy" school he may end up attending in your current area.
I have never said that bad things dont go on at private schools or there isnt poor teaching/bad pupils etc, i just feel that it MAY be better than the alternatives we have available to us.
And no at the moment we cannot afford this but it is something we wanted to look into as it may be affordable in the future.
Also ive never called ANY school "crappy" and i wouldnt name them as such. We just know what we want for our son and it is not to be distracted by children who have not been fortunate enough to have a good up bringing and dont know how to behave.
As i have said our son will do well wherever he goes we just want a little better than what is on offer locally.0 -
Have you considered home educating?0
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samwich1979 wrote: »Yes, my husband has mentioned this several times but i dont know if it would be for us and how it works tbh.
I worry it would be beyond our capabilities and about our son getting the essential qualifications he needs.
There are several home educators on here (I'm not one of them) who I'm sure will offer advice, or you could search for existing threads.
I do know that many people don't home educate throughout a child's school career and do it only for a period of time.0
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