MMD: Should Donald send Huey, Duey, or Lewy to private school?

rdwarr

I see my children as my No 1 priority (even though the youngest of five is now 16) but would never have entertained the idea of sending them to private school - even though I could afford it.

Different people have different values. A private school may get you slightly better exam grades but there's a lot more to education than that.

gloucesteroldspot

Most independent schools give discounts for siblings, so there's a saving for a start. Many also have scholarships for kids who are good at sport, so if Donald is clever he might get them all for, oh, maybe three for the price of two?

There are a few old fashioned ideas about independent education expressed here. For a start many, probably a majority, are now 'day' rather than boarding so the concept of a day boy 'not fitting in' isn't really accurate. They are not all Eton you know!

Personally, given the money I would opt for independent every time. The sad fact is that state schools are hampered by a lack of money, tied to a rubbish national curriculum and obsessed with 'targets'. I'm also sorry to say that in my experience teachers in independent schools are more committed and have greater respect for the children (it works both ways) than state school teachers , maybe because the latter are weary of the system. My daughter has been to both so I'm talking from experience.

supanova75

adr0ck wrote: »

very difficult decision

probably go for the private tutor idea myself

wouldn't want to rely on the state system OMG

one pace fits all (the slowest)......what an education system we have in this country......everyones educated to the "special needs" level in the class

can someone please tell me why it costs more to send kids to state school than private school?

i think the extra tuition idea is a good one, but what is all this 'one pace' stuff? i am lucky that my son does well academically, but all 3 schools he has been to (we have a 3-tier system in our area) have catered for that. he has certainly never been taught at a special-needs level, and is now being 'fast-tracked' for one of his GCSE's. i'm really happy with the state education he has been given.

not all state schools are bad!!

SunnyBrighton_2

Maybe, in retrospect, the Duckes should have thought ahead about schooling before having more children than they can afford to send to the school they would like them to go to?
Some people are wealthy enough to have everything they want, most aren't, so, for them, a little financial (and family!) planning in advance would be a good idea and they wouldn't be having this problem now!

sluggy1967

adr0ck wrote: »

very difficult decision

probably go for the private tutor idea myself

wouldn't want to rely on the state system OMG

one pace fits all (the slowest)......what an education system we have in this country......everyones educated to the "special needs" level in the class

can someone please tell me why it costs more to send kids to state school than private school?

My 4 year old started school less than 2 wks ago and has already started being given homework (and I don't mean colouring in either - words to learn to read and write), so I don't know how anyone can think that state schools don't push their kids enough. Mind you, my friend's 4 year old has gone to a private school and is made to sit at a desk all day, so I'm glad my son isn't being pushed that hard! (Oh, and by the way, kids are no brighter just because they are at private school, so there will always be problems with some children in class being slower than others!)

sluggy1967

gloucesteroldspot wrote: »

I'm also sorry to say that in my experience teachers in independent schools are more committed and have greater respect for the children (it works both ways) than state school teachers , maybe because the latter are weary of the system. My daughter has been to both so I'm talking from experience.

I disagree. A colleague of my husband's used to teach in a private school and the teachers had a saying about the kids and their parents; "The richer they are, the thicker they get". He went into the state system because he got sick and tired of the children speaking to the teachers like they were servants. In the state system, the teachers have to work hard to gain the kid's respect, but once earned, it reaps rewards. That's why, in my opinion, the BEST teachers are in the state sector, where you have to really work hard to bring out the best in EVERY pupil.

Paul1_2

sluggy1967 wrote: »

I disagree. A colleague of my husband's used to teach in a private school and the teachers had a saying about the kids and their parents; "The richer they are, the thicker they get". He went into the state system because he got sick and tired of the children speaking to the teachers like they were servants. In the state system, the teachers have to work hard to gain the kid's respect, but once earned, it reaps rewards. That's why, in my opinion, the BEST teachers are in the state sector, where you have to really work hard to bring out the best in EVERY pupil.

Its funny how generalisations always come out based on one school or to label the whole system. There are some very good state schools and some very good private schools, but sadly there are schools that fail to "bring out the best in every child". The best teachers are in both systems, they have the same training but the major difference tends to be that the private system does not follow the National Cirriculum and every government whim.

In my old school 5% of children achieve GCSE's, 95% do not. Other schools in the area achieve at best 65%, whilst my sons school achieves 99% without being selective and putting all pupils forward for examinations.

There is a lot more to education than results and again schools vary in both sectors, the best produce young adults with respect for others and a desire to contribute to the world.

Getting back to the question I would not consider sending one of three children to a private school and think the advice in other posts is very sound.

Private education is a choice frequently bourne out of neccesity, all of our children should have access to quality education and opportunity, but despite the mantra of Education, Education, Education too many of our children are being let down. The result parents pay, children pay and the country pays.

Paul1

lynnet-w

My child could have gone to the very well regarded local state school but he goes to a private school and I never would have considered a state school, knowing what the English education is like and obvioulsy is not improving. I have have an Irish education which have different standards to the basis English education. Strange how state school pupils get sent to 'paid tutors' for after school help. The teachers in the school should be doing this job properly. The hypothetical family with 3 children - The eldest should go in if possible, a bursary (not a scholarship) may be accessible for the second child who is clever, and persuasive techniques may get the third child in. Beg, steal or borrow to get them in. It will be the best thing you ever did for your children. I pay under £10,000 basic p.a. (+ usual extras) for my child and it is worth every penny driving past the state schools every day. Why have 30+ in a class when your child can get individual attention with approx. 14 in a class. If I had 3 children they would all go in to private and eventually/possibly boarding later (£24,000+ per year per child). NB I am not rich!

A few facts. Too many to list here - Why does the government want to try and 'borrow' private school teachers, or get private schools to make available all their facilities, or try to tell top universities they must accept state school pupils, when they would rather pick private pupils? The evidence is there, why would the gov. be saying this. There is NO comparison. And you do not have to have super bright children to be accepted into a private school. Its not all about academic achievements either, the whole ethos of the school is different: good behaviour, individual attention, teaching methods tailored to specific needs, DISCIPLINE, good old fashioned values that WORK and much more. 7% of school children are educated in independant schools and waiting lists are getting longer as more parents try to squeeze in, disappointed with the state sector. The gov. is failing so many pupils in this country. The only thing I will miss when I emigrate next year is my child's private school, how sad is that. I will have to start a search all over again to find another private school abroad. Don't take a nonchalant attitude to your childs education, and don't leave it up to the gov. to experiment with it all in vain attempts to rescue the mess of our state education system. You can choose the school for your child, don't let the school choose your child. You have a choice. There are also cheaper independant schools.

lynnet-w

adr0ck wrote: »

very difficult decision

probably go for the private tutor idea myself

wouldn't want to rely on the state system OMG

one pace fits all (the slowest)......what an education system we have in this country......everyones educated to the "special needs" level in the class

can someone please tell me why it costs more to send kids to state school than private school?

How much does a state school education cost the parents, then? How have you worked out its dearer for a state school. My child goes to an independant school

trejoy

I never approved of private education, but, after experiencing it through my sons, I`ve changed my mind. Nobody knows the future, send the eldest and start planning for the extra cash needed for the others. Get them all in, whatever it takes, state education isn`t up to much unfortunately:rotfl: