Stress of secondary school choices

wiogs

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

What is good gcses anyway? You only need eng and maths

Love the ironic post.

Or if you are serious I hope you is better at maths

wiogs

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

I woz mate!

I'll have you know I got an A in both, cheeky!

Good for you.

That are good to know.

CH27

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

My problem is both comprehensives are either in special measures or needing improvement.

I am seeing this as being my one time to get the education choice right for him.

He is very much in the middle of the class, and often overlooked by his teachers, we are thinking that investing in his education will hopefully give him a good chance in life, but seem to be being attacked for trying our best for him in amongst the playground.

It is sad that he is excluded from playing with others that he previously played with, and a general back stabbing. I am amazed at the ferocity of the response from them to be honest

Private schools cost so much more than just the fees.

Could you sent him to the local comp & pay for tutoring if he is struggling in any subject?

silvercar

maman wrote: »

I'm assuming by 'impossible to get into' then you mean as your child is in the 'middle of the class' he wouldn't pass the entrance exam?

Personally I don't believe in private schools as a matter of principle. To me, it's no wonder that standards fall in neighbourhood comprehensives. The brightest pupils and those with the most supportive parents are going to private schools, buy homes in the catchment of upmarket state schools or have the means to bus/drive them there. That pushes down the overall potential in 'bog-standard' comprehensives.

BUT, while that's my political view. I wouldn't play politics with my child's education and would defend anyone's right to spend their own money however they choose. And at the same time, I campaign whenever I can for a fairer state system. EVERY child deserves a good school, with small classes, good facilities etc. etc.

So, advice to OP: the system isn't going to change overnight and you need to decide now. Put your child first and ignore the playground gossip.

Excellent post!:T:T:T:T

silvercar

Person_one wrote: »

Well, that's because there aren't grammar schools in every town anymore (thankfully), so people like you who move to the catchment area to have a chance at them start pushing the house prices up.

SO we can't send our kids to private schools, we can't send to grammar schools. So, according to you, we have to send to a low performing school just because of where we live???

Who are these "people like you"? People who care enough about their children's education to research the options available?

claire16c

I think if you have to really scrimp to get into the private school then what are you going to do when your child wants to do all the extra activities & trips abroad?

Having said that I wouldn't want to send my kid to a bad comp. luckily the ones in my area get around 80% a*-c at gcses so there isn't really a stress for parents here as the schools are all good, so I can see why in your situation you would consider it, whereas where I am I think it's complete waste of money.

If I lived somewhere with a bad school I'd either move house or try for the grammar school - but if your child won't get in there how will they get into the private school as they're usually selective too?

Hard decision I don't envy you.

Spendless

CH27 wrote: »

Private schools cost so much more than just the fees.

Could you sent him to the local comp & pay for tutoring if he is struggling in any subject?

That would be my suggestion too if you will struggle to afford school fees or if your child wouldn't pass the entrance exams. IME 1-2-1 tutoring has fab results within a short space of time and for a fraction of the cost.

Lunar_Eclipse

We experienced a little of this and I was very disappointed. DD couldn't have cared less and despite having an "excellent" state secondary school on our doorstep, we opted for a (significantly better) private school. Our reasons were not academically based, beyond the fact I didn't want her sitting 12-14 GCSE's just because she's "gifted". She needs to develop hobbies and life skills, as well as actually having a life, in our opinion.

Experienced none of it with DD2 though, who continues to see all her local best buddies from primary.

My advice is to go for what you feel is best for your son. Bear in mind the admissions process for private schools could be very competitive so where demand for places is high, many take pupils significantly ahead of 'average'.

claire16c

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Including maths & eng or just 5 A*-C?

I picked the one I went to looked it up online & it got 82% a*-c including maths & English.

marisco_2

Rise above the clicky tittle tattle of the school playground. Some people don't have two brain cells to rub together. Proved by the decision of those parents who are excluding your son from his social group. For what, just because you are deciding which will be the best way forward regarding his education. That is a personal choice that you should be able to make without being subjected to this kind of spiteful pettiness. Seriously are these people and their children the sort you would hope your son will be mixing with, during the most influential years of his life?