Private school fees (merged)

Lunar_Eclipse

setmefree2 wrote: »

The state system is great.

I wouldn't go that far. (Have you seen the alternative?)

emsywoo123

BACKFRMTHEEDGE wrote: »

Hi

Unfortunately, not everyone has money.:o So if you go to Eton you can have your art teacher do your coursework *cough* for you but this option is closed to nearly all of us. People with money buy "themselves" advantage which puts the rest of the kids at a disadvantage - it's just not fair.

:rotfl: I am laughing at the bit that I put in bold. What on earth do you mean it is not fair? I am so sorry, have I missed the bit where we all live in a "fair" world. Some people have more money than others. Some people have nice houses. Some people send their kids to private school. Seriously, some people are of the opinion that they want to send their children to private school, and they can do this without this massive prejudice that you seem to have against people that want to do that.

sassybooboos

i dont know whether you are employed or self employed but im sure there is a way of claiming some of the charges back through a business if you have one.

belfastgal

My chum says she would love to send her kids to the same school as mine but couldnt afford it.....this is the same chum who spends over £5000 on ciggies and thats just her- he smokes too. I am not criticizing her , i love her to bits, but i couldnt afford to smopke at those prices.
Its all about choices ........

benood

Rikki wrote: »

If I choose to pay to educate my children privately. That leaves less children in the state school class room. So there is the advantage for state educated children smaller classes.

This is an interesting opinion but in actual fact is utterly wrong (IMO), it encapsulates the true reason private schools are (in general) better than state.

The schools themselves make a marginal difference - what really makes the difference is the children. If you have a class of well behaved children they will learn more, faster than the same lesson taught with 25% disruptive chavs (for want of a better word).

So by taking children out to private schools you increase the dross ratio for the ones who remain - furthermore you also remove their parents who would make good pta/governors.

While the system is as it is I'm saving for private - political correctness is all very well for other peoples children I'm afraid, I don't feel the need to justify trying to do whatever gives my children the best chance in life.

3plus1

benood wrote: »

This is an interesting opinion but in actual fact is utterly wrong (IMO), it encapsulates the true reason private schools are (in general) better than state.

The schools themselves make a marginal difference - what really makes the difference is the children. If you have a class of well behaved children they will learn more, faster than the same lesson taught with 25% disruptive chavs (for want of a better word).

So by taking children out to private schools you increase the dross ratio for the ones who remain - furthermore you also remove their parents who would make good pta/governors.

While the system is as it is I'm saving for private - political correctness is all very well for other peoples children I'm afraid, I don't feel the need to justify trying to do whatever gives my children the best chance in life.

Excuse me, but you seem to have got the impression that all kids at private schools are clever little darlings who all behave well? No. You're wrong. You get the clever kids; half of them from rich families, half of them from families who scrimp and save to get them there. You also get the stupid, lazy kids who are don't do a stitch of work and fail all their exams, but are at private school simply because their parents are rich.

Private schools have their fair share of troublemakers too, you know!

And I do agree that if people stopped sending their children to private schools, the state system would collapse.

Lillibet_2

Well, it's not compulsary to read or act on any posts, but since mine pleading with you all to be nice & keep on subject, there has not been one single post offering the OP any financial advice whatsoever, just a bunch of opinions.:rolleyes:
Can I suggest this thread is moved to discussion time please mod?

Originally Posted by borntobefree
You say we are not here to judge and then conclude that sending a child to a private school is the best thing to do.

Apologies if this was not clear, I was saying that considering the financial implications was the best thing to do. I have not expressed or implied my opinion about private versus state.

lesley1960

I do worry that some people are mapping out their childrens lives for them , and think ''education'' is the be all and end all of everything , life isnt over at 16 / 18 / 21 or when ever you finish formal education its just starting .
In theory providing a better education with the goal of getting more qualifications seems a great idea , in practice there arent any more better jobs ect so there will still be some sort of selection process for the ''top jobs''.
I'm not slating anyone for their choices in how they educate their children , has anyone mentioned home education as an option btw? .
However those who choose to educate privately when it might put them under severe financial pressure need to think that their sacrifices might not actually be worth it.

Sugarfree_Babe

borntobefree wrote: »

This is an open forum and we are all entitled to our opinion. Once you start a thread you don't own it, they have a life of their own. The op wouldn't even discuss the fact that her basic premise is flawed "that private education is better than state education - and is therefore worth the money". I dispute this. What little support she gave to support her opinion (prejudice?) was based on her experiences as a child. She probably has never been near ANY school for decades since her child is JUST 2. I don't want to close down discussion, but you can't claim that all state schools are rubbish and all private schools are great and just expect people to agree. And as for the "people with a chip on their shoulder" :mad: comment don't get me started. I think we all understand were the op is coming from perfectly and under the circumstances I think many of us have been quite restrained and polite.

The OP does not have to justify herself. She is not accountable to you or to anyone else on this matter. At NO POINT has she said all state schools are rubbish and all private schools are great. If you want to join a discussion I suggest you first learn how to listen. She has made her decision and asked for help in implementing it.

Good manners cost nothing and used to be valued in this country.

Lunar_Eclipse

lesley1960 wrote: »

In theory providing a better education with the goal of getting more qualifications seems a great idea ,

That is not usually the goal of those choosing private school IMO. I have bright children so as history suggests they will do (roughly) equally well in both systems, from an exam results point of view.

Personally I am looking for an all round education, which sadly is lacking IMO in the state system in general. One small example is that I believe children should do PE every day. Simply from a health perspective, not in an attempt to produce Olympic athletes. Interestingly, this would also significantly reduce classroom disruption (especially from boys who need this physical exertion.)

The best state schools thesedays, according to Ofsted, achieve brilliant SATS results. Which means educational standards reached in Maths, English and Science can be brilliant. But this really is the starting point to the all round education I believe children should have. Languages, Music, Art, Critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking etc hardly get a look in.

And yes, they do tend to cream off the brightest kids. In general. Although some do manage to leave with very few qualifications. I suppose for those children, their education could either be viewed from a waste of money to a much better one than they may have otherwise got?

Anyhow, we're in the state system and need to support that so I must stop myself there