Private school fees (merged)

Lunar_Eclipse

BACKFRMTHEEDGE wrote: »

Lunar eclipse you seem unable to believe that someone can have an emotion that is not attributed to themselves.

No, you'll be pleased to hear that isn't the case in reality. It just didn't read that way to Emsy .... and then to me once she had pointed that out.

But it is a very good point that you make. And you should have said it earlier!

I have no idea about the demise in the Grammar system so can't comment. I only know that Mum made it to the Grammar School and Dad didn't. Yet Dad went on to achieve higher post graduate academics and then much much more in his working life. He has always been much more driven. And is definitely bright. Just didn't cut the grade on one particular exam day I guess.

Schools really are only the beginning aren't they? I'm becoming increasingly inclined to say with the state sector as time goes on.

benood

cells wrote: »

a charity gets tax back. so if you give them £8 the gov will give them £2.

in the case of a private school, if you give them £8k for the year the gov gives them £2k.


i wouldnt class them as a charity becuase the workers are well paid and the overall school aims for a profit afaik.

This is piffle. Schools cannot claim gift aid on fees:
3.8.4 Subject to the benefits rules outlined below in Section D, outright payments to a charity in return for services, rights or goods are not gifts to charity and so are not eligible for Gift Aid tax relief. For example, the following cannot come within the Gift Aid scheme:

Payment

• of school fees for a specific person

Lots of charity workers earn reasonable salaries - furthermore you will find that many private school teachers earn no more than their state sector colleagues but have better conditions.

Please check your facts before making sweeping statements.

Lunar_Eclipse

I have no knowledge about the workings of organisations deemed to be of charitable status, except I know it is a hot topic where schools are concerned.

Both my children's state schools are charities. Thus the so called voluntary donations that are asked for on a monthly/termly basis, as well as contributions towards school trips, mufti-days etc, are all made to the charitable Trust, so that the school benefits from the tax payback on those who fill in the required 'confirmation of tax status' form. We receive a letter from the school every year asking us to inform them of any changes to our tax paying status, with a new form to complete.

aliasojo

borntobefree wrote: »

Why did you post on here? You should have posted on the savings board if you wanted savings advice. I think you did set out to offend.

Can I clarify please? Have I read this correctly......do you really believe the OP posted her question in this board to cause offence?

Discodee

totally agree mado
The 11 plus is a farce
It is an exam which holds no credence for educational growth, will never be used again, and as I said a blind elephant can be tutored to pass it.
It should be based on the childs grasp of maths English and science.
While these kids have hours of tutoring for a banal VR test they could be learning far better things or outside visiting places of interest.

Like I said, my 9 year old son is far cleverer than most girls in my daughter's year

Mado

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I have no knowledge about the workings of organisations deemed to be of charitable status, except I know it is a hot topic where schools are concerned.

Both my children's state schools are charities. Thus the so called voluntary donations that are asked for on a monthly/termly basis, as well as contributions towards school trips, mufti-days etc, are all made to the charitable Trust, so that the school benefits from the tax payback on those who fill in the required 'confirmation of tax status' form. We receive a letter from the school every year asking us to inform them of any changes to our tax paying status, with a new form to complete.

Our school does too. And so does the Parent association.
However, compared with the funds that private schools handle, it is trivial.

If I am honest, what really bugs me with emsywoo's position is that she assumes that because she is in a private school, her DD will automatically go on to grammar school. The girl is 4 ; that is the kind of attitude that I despair of.

I have no objection to private schools. But please people, set realistic objectives to your child. Emsy says the girl couldn't cope with 20 children in reception.....I feel sorry for this little girl if her whole life is already geared towards going to grammar school. maybe she will. But then again, maybe she won't.
Who knows, they may not be around in 7 years time. Emsy and her boyfriend may move... Life can be full of surprises...

Discodee

posh*spice wrote: »

Astonished by this:eek: Can you (but only if you want to) tell us what county you live in?

What on earth are you doing on a money saving forum with all your dosh??
And for goodness sakes girl, when you've read this, go and eat some cream cakes!!!

OK I dont really like to divulge my whereabouts, but I will say that my DDs schools is in the top 100 schools in the country and in fact is the only school in our area which IS in the top 100 schools in the country.
Thing is, they give them copious amonts of homework and extra tutoring to the slower ones.
My DD does lots of her homework in class as she always finishes before everyone else, otherwise she has 2 hrs a night.
Now I wouldnt allow her to spend that long on homework, it's not right, but as she's quick most os done before home and the rest is done quickly. In year 8 she is meant to be reaching level 6/7 (It may vary at diff schools and is not the same as SATS, at which she achieved straight 3s in yr2 and straight 5s in year 6) She is reaching level 8 already.
However can you imagine how hard life must be for the slower ones with all that work piled on them and being well behind other pupils?

My DD only went as she was so gifted and the school was a half hour walk away. if she hadnt been so able she'd have gone to a comp. I wouldn't want her feeling demoralised or bogged down with homework, which they do to keep the standards up.

katherinedrex

Having just randomly dipped into this thread it appears to me that there are quite a lot of people being very defensive about their choice of education for their children.

We all want the best for our children and everyone has differing ideas about what is best. To some it is status and the benefits a private education can bring, to others it is more about what suits the individual child.

All our children went to state schools and now have their own businesses. We could have afforded to send them to a local private school. We decided not to on the basis that all the children we knew who had been through the private school lacked any kind of ability to interact on a personal level with people from all walks of life; they lacked what are important skills to our family. Our children have always been interactive with people from very different walks of life, a skill which is a vital asset in life.

Our decision on their schooling was based on our experience; of course not everyone who goes to a private school is the same as the children we met. Everyone has to make their own decisions when it comes to their children's education. There is no right or wrong answer.

Discodee

Mado wrote: »

If I am honest, what really bugs me with emsywoo's position is that she assumes that because she is in a private school, her DD will automatically go on to grammar school. The girl is 4 ; that is the kind of attitude that I despair of.

I have no objection to private schools. But please people, set realistic objectives to your child. Emsy says the girl couldn't cope with 20 children in reception.....I feel sorry for this little girl if her whole life is already geared towards going to grammar school. maybe she will. But then again, maybe she won't.
Who knows, they may not be around in 7 years time. Emsy and her boyfriend may move... Life can be full of surprises...

By the way, I am 45, my birthday is end of August, there were 46 in my class at school. ( I could read and write before I started tho cos my mum taught me, as did mine) It was a state school, and I got good qualifications and I can speak an reed and rite proper:cool:

I never even thought about grammar school until my DD was in year5. My sons in year4 now, and we wont even think about him going until next year and he won't have any tuition either!

katherinedrex

Discodee wrote: »

What on earth are you doing on a money saving forum with all your dosh??
And for goodness sakes girl, when you've read this, go and eat some cream cakes!!!


I have to say Discodee this is a bit of a childish remark and the aim of everyone getting together on these forums is to help one another achieve what we all want, to be debt free and continue to prosper financially. There is not a members rule that says you are out of the club once you get solvent and prosper.

I can understand that you may have steam blowing out of your ears at the moment but let's keep to what this site is about.