Independent education?

Lunar_Eclipse

Dunroamin wrote: »

Of course, that might well be because of the school she attends rather than because of anything inherent. In fact, many people might think that an excellent reason for sending a bright girl to a private school rather than otherwise

Along those lines, I think keeping them away from boys is right up there as a reason for many choosing private girls schools.

Not my reason personally, but at least half (everyone bar me actually) the parents I know with kids at single sex schools think this is a key attribute in school choice.

VestanPance

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Along those lines, I think keeping them away from boys is right up there as a reason for many choosing private girls schools.

Not my reason personally, but at least half (everyone bar me actually) the parents I know with kids at single sex schools think this is a key attribute in school choice.

Funnily enough it's the private girls only high schools in Glasgow that had a reputation when I was a lad. Notably for girls rebelling against their parents in their teenage years and jumping the working class lads on nights out. When I was a lad it was the girls school only pupils that were seen as the "easy lays".

claire16c

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Along those lines, I think keeping them away from boys is right up there as a reason for many choosing private girls schools.

Not my reason personally, but at least half (everyone bar me actually) the parents I know with kids at single sex schools think this is a key attribute in school choice.

I am lucky in that where I live there are single sex comprehensive schools and grammar schools. So no need to pay for this! I loved going to a girls school and would want my future kids to go to a single sex school - however I would not want to pay for private education

There is a very prestigious private school near me that costs around £30k a year to send a child to, but its not single sex - having said that a lot of private schools seem to be. However state single sex schools seem to be fairly rare.

I know two kids who go to this school though, and the opportunites they have are brilliant and the education is outstanding - as it should be for that price - however its not just the fees you pay, its all the extras like activities and trips around the world.

FBaby

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I was offering an objective answer; I don't necessarily agree or disagree personally.

From my experience (DD1 also in Y8 and similar to yours academically), the increased challenge comes down to numerous different experiences and subjects/activities (Latin, National Debating, Philosophy etc) instead of being accelerated to the next level in a particular subject.

Socially, there is also a lot less pressure. This is a huge benefit to me personally. DD1 is calm and relaxed within herself and very happy at her school.

If I say any more I'll bore myself.

I know what you mean, but my DD could do Latin at her present school (going to the private school for it, but not paying for it), but she is not interested at all, so that's Latin out of the curriculum! As for debating, gosh, do they offer lessons in how not to because that is definitely a skill she was born with!!

It's not that I am against the school, if she was offered a free place, maybe I would think twice (unfortunately, the best available scholarships are only 10% reduction!!), I just don't think what we would be losing for the cost of funding her private schooling would be worth the benefits she would get out of it. And that's without considering the fact that her brother seems to be heading her way and that would definitely mean having to sell our house to fund, which again, is definitely not a risk I would find worthy of consideration.

emsywoo123

Yippee are we having another state vs private debate on MSE.... It must be at least 3 months since the last one :rotfl:

OP, is this a deal breaker decision that would stop you having children if you cannot agree? If not, go with the flow for now.....if it is that big a deal, then yes, I agree you need big conversations now.

TimBear

It's tricky...I went to a state primary school as did my siblings. My sister and I then went on to a private girls' school for secondary education, and my brothers to a boys' grammar school.

At 11 I would have given my right arm to go to the same comp that all my friends were going to, but I'm so pleased my parents sent me to the private school.

Whilst I'm naturally bright (as are my siblings), I just know I would not have done as well as I did had I attended the state school. I guess I'm easily led - or, was rather, at that age - so could have gone astray, but my school was perfect for me in their discipline, and the way they went about teaching us.

My sister and I were the first in our direct family (parents, grandparents etc) to go to private schools.

I don't have children but if I did and I had the means, I would definitely send my children to a private school just to give them the best chance they could have to begin their lives. (I'm not saying they could not do well at a comp - most of my friends now went to comps and went on to gain degrees etc.).

FBaby

TimBear wrote: »

I don't have children but if I did and I had the means, I would definitely send my children to a private school just to give them the best chance they could have to begin their lives. (I'm not saying they could not do well at a comp - most of my friends now went to comps and went on to gain degrees etc.).

So why are you so certain that would be giving them the best chance? What if your child is very bright, but unlike you is very determined and focus? Maybe they would be capable of doing just as well at comp just like some of your friends did?

Goldiegirl

Some friends of ours sent their son to a private school and made quite a few sacrifices for it too.

After school he drifted for a while until he found his current so - so job.

They spent all that money...... and he's still turned out to be just an average type of guy. Nice bloke, but not in any way a high flyer.

I can't help thinking they would have been better off using their money for something else. A private education doesn't make a person into something 'better'. It all depends on the person really, if they are an average type of person, they'll remain average whatever school they are sent to

I haven't got children myself, but if I did, I wouldn't consider privately educating them. There are some excellent state grammar schools round here, and if they were accademically minded, I'd be thrilled if they got in to a local grammar school.

SuzieSue

Goldiegirl wrote: »

They spent all that money...... and he's still turned out to be just an average type of guy. Nice bloke, but not in any way a high flyer.

I haven't got children myself, but if I did, I wouldn't consider privately educating them. There are some excellent state grammar schools round here, and if they were accademically minded, I'd be thrilled if they got in to a local grammar school.

Ok, but how do you know that if they had sent him to the local comp that he wouldn't have done much worse than that (or even much better)? They did what they thought was best for their child. Private education isn't only about creating high flyers.

Most parents would be happy for their children to go to a good grammar but they are few and far between and very difficult to get in to.

Lunar_Eclipse

VestanPance wrote: »

Funnily enough it's the private girls only high schools in Glasgow that had a reputation when I was a lad. Notably for girls rebelling against their parents in their teenage years and jumping the working class lads on nights out. When I was a lad it was the girls school only pupils that were seen as the "easy lays".

Still happening these days...