To wonder if you are against private schools…

That’s great to know, thank you!

The point is not about the differences between schools, but about the attitudes of government. How aspiring it is, not to allow schools to use parental donations to fund extra enrichment programs. It is hopeless!

Over 80% of secondaries in England are academies.

Yes and they are generally better than the maintained ones. Unfortunately vast majorities are still only have access to maintained schools.

Academies aren't controlled by local authorities, they report directly to the DfE. They also have the freedom to set their own curriculum.

In an ideal world they wouldn’t exist at all. In countries like Finland, where all schools are free to attend, there is much less inequality. It’s hard to row back on it and go for total abolition now though - I appreciate that.

You are overestimating the power of parents. Schools are CONTROLLED by local governments, even schools with lots of parental donations could not used the find for enrichment lessons, because it is not allowed. Some schools try to hide it, some schools just can’t be bothered.

I don't think private schools operate in the same way as Michaela and I'm pretty sure that private school parents wouldn't stand for it if they did.

I know that. That’s why I said “private schools - like Michaela”, rather than “private schools like Michaela”. I would accept a place in Michaela in a shot. My child would love it. They see rules as things to be respected and followed. So what if individualality is quashed. My children get enough of that in their spare time. I want a school to teach them stuff in a safe, calm environment.

Just as some of the state school kids would be useless too. What a ridiculous generalisation.

There are plenty of rich parents with kids at state schools!!!

Private schools - like Micaela - simply have much more discipline and therefore much more respect for teachers and fellow pupils.

Michaela is a state school, and operates a bit like a cult.

Thank you! This is our experience 100%. Private schools - like Micaela - simply have much more discipline and therefore much more respect for teachers and fellow pupils. The bullying and disruption was massive in my child’s state school. So far removed from the excellent state education I received in a deprived catchment. My child has experienced no disruption or bullying in private whatsoever. I would LOVE to be able to send my child to a state school where kids who are keen to learn are prioritised. Instead the state school was like a mini social work centre. Actual teaching was very low down the list of things the school prioritised and this was meant to be an outstanding school.

We need to add a lot to the basic rate of tax before the state school system is even remotely adequately funded. Until then so many kids are being failed. Every kid has a right to an excellent education. Until the government sees this though I’ll do the best for my child - it would be immoral to do otherwise - and pay privately for a proper education.

I don't support the idea of private schools but if you can afford them then it's very hard to say no to when it could open up choice and opportunity for your children. For my children the high levels of sport and physical activity were hugely beneficial and I believe they have done much better than they would have at our local mediocre comprehensive. But it doesn't stop me feeling really sad that a lot of children are not achieving their potential at crap schools and cross at the government for continual under investment in education.

Government should put priority on education when budgeting! Sadly even with such big budget, education still just gets crumbs!

Both my DC went to Private secondary and I really wish it hadn't been necessary. I wish all DC could get the education and overall school experience my kids did and I wish they could have got it without it costing us a fortune.
I am sure some State schools are good enough but the one we had available just isn't and I know this because I am a Governor there.
Of course we could have moved but we love our house and where we live and preferred to pay for Private school instead.
No regrets

I dislike the two separate systems of schools. However, I also think tax extra is not good.

Around 450 kids take 12 or more GCSEs let alone get 9s in all of them so that's really not standard.

I went to private school and tbh it fucked me up but I don't think they should be banned.

And that's great for your kids. Can you understand that not all kids can thrive in a large, busy 1000+ setting? Can you understand that not all parents can access an outstanding school and even if they can it may not cater to their needs? I don't understand the "real life" comment either. Private school kids' worlds are just as real as anyone else's.

Please can someone explain how getting rid of private schools magically creates excellent state schools? Is it by osmosis? Is no intervention required (oh, other than the 6/7% private school parents doing some jiggery-pokery to raise standards - which never quite gets explained)?

Why can't government just make state schools better and leave private schools alone? Are the 93% so ineffective that this is impossible?

Or is the real answer that getting rid of private schools is ideological and not at all related in practical terms to the poor performance of state schools?

My kids went to an outstanding state and did exceptionally well (DD left this summer with 12 x grade 9’s). We probably could have afforded private, but saw no reason to. DD declined a grammar school for sixth form to stay at her 6th form. Nothing against private, but many people are quick to dismiss state schools, I think it equips kids for real life post school a lot more than a private school.

There is a distinct difference between the need to adequately fund state schools and improve the outcomes of some vs saying all schools ‘should aspire to like private schools’. I don’t think the later at all.

I'm against them for many different reasons but ultimately they deplete society. They segregate, they provide educational capital for the elite at the expense of the poor. Countries with a high standard of education for all are much healthier psychologically and socially eg Finland.

This is a big jump from my comment!