Private Schools- hear me out before you judge!

Do you mean because we care so much for the children in our classes that we are on our knees trying to meet all the needs. That we are out campaigning against cuts and buying resources with our own money. Do you mean because I already work hours over what I'm paid marking books, planning classes and completing paperwork. That on top of all that, the concern of how we're going to do that each year with 33 children in our cos and the concern we have for how it just has to reduce the quality of learning that we all care so much about.

It's very simple. Teachers care! Teachers know that 25 in a class is better than 33. Not because it's less work but because there's more time to give each child. Teachers are not resentful of children, teachers are resentful of those who don't see the bigger picture. Those who cheer on an education system already on its knees and now, because of this, ready to collapse.

It’s not as if Starmer wasn’t warned.

The result is pressure on state schools in some areas, and private schools become more elite. It’s lose lose.

No just bored of you and your provocations. Not going to engage any further. Get your kicks somewhere else.
Anyone who purposely targets someone to provoke and attack isn't worth spending energy on.

It isn't Kilgraston because the OP is talking about a primary school. Which may or may not exist in reality.

VAT on school fees and the removal of ridiculous charity status would I think affect all of us, it would be a fairer set up and I think it’s time adults in the UK started living how we should not how we have. It’s an odd observation because it was presented in a way that sounded like a gleeful gotcha.

I have attended, been a parent in, (and indeed observed in) many different types of educational establishment and probably have a good understanding of many of the concerns expressed over this issue. I think it was a good decision and all our children will be better for it. I know many private school parents are not happy but I suspect for the majority they are going to be pleasantly surprised.

This particular Labour-liaison is not examined in the left leaning news outlets …. Which tells me that it is 100% true.

Oooh coy for a change? Suits you.

Why don't you Google it.

Does it? What do you think parent voice can achieve? Believe me, having smaller class sizes is the number one way to improve your child's education. There's 0 chance of that happening now!!

Well go on then, what's the source? Is it the same one you used for your 'Starmer's dad wasn't a toolmaker' assertion? 😂

@decisionsdecisionsdecision how can a state primary be a feeder school for an independent from P4?

😂😂 if only

I work in a feeder school to a local private. Children leave us each year from p4 up. This is no longer happening. Instead of having 25ish children in our p7 classes we have 33. In fact each class in our school is at its maximum or one less. Please explain how 33 children in one class, under the care of one teacher is better? This has not benefited us, it's broken us! I don't magically get more time to spend with these children so now everyone gets less of my time. There's less space, 3 to a resource instead of two etc. I could write thousands of words on what a mistake this has been.

Absolutely agree
If we re taxing private education we should be doing it equally and that includes
all extras
sports, music, dance, drama, languages, private academic tutors….everything!

Sorry to disappoint although entirely predictable accusation

Daily Mail?

"the close personal relationship between Mr Sibieta and Mr Pennycook, whose department will be involved in implementing the tax policy. Mr Pennycook and Mr Sibieta reportedly used to live together, and Mr Pennycook served as best man at Mr Sibieta’s wedding, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest"

NOT from Guido

The advantage of private upto Y11 is having pupils/parents who value education.

At 16+, most state schools have excellent 6th forms as all the kids attending want to study so lessons are just as good at private schools.

I teach A Level in a state school and the kids are amazing. So much easier than Y7 to Y11 as no behaviour issues!

@Silverbook let's hope the parents of these private school kids joining can be persuaded to join the PTA and help support the school to increase funding!

"Labour minister faces an investigation by the sleaze watchdog over claims he failed to declare his 20-year friendship with the author of the report used to justify the Government’s private school tax raid.
Matthew Pennycook has been referred to the parliamentary commissioner for standards for not revealing his close relationship with Luke Sibieta, who wrote the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) paper on Labour’s plans"

But let that stop you

Hint: NOT from Guido
"Labour minister faces an investigation by the sleaze watchdog over claims he failed to declare his 20-year friendship with the author of the report used to justify the Government’s private school tax raid.
Matthew Pennycook has been referred to the parliamentary commissioner for standards for not revealing his close relationship with Luke Sibieta, who wrote the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) paper on Labour’s plans"

But don't let that stop you belittling me

Spot on post OP. The private sector was in essence propping up the state sector. Get a feeling this is going to be disastrous for state and private schools.

Ok, I get your point.

Here’s a Telegraph article for you instead, which basically reads the same as the Guido one.

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/10/07/report-used-laboursupport-private-school-vat-close-friend/

If it's Kilgraston school you're referring to OP, it's been in financial trouble for a few years. It's not just the VAT

Guido is hardly a reliable source for anything.

We don't have a mld school near us. We live very rurally. There is a special needs school but it focuses on life skills, not education. That was not our choice 11 years ago. As time has gone on though it has become clearer that this might have been better in the long term. We are in a bot of flux right now. DH was a boarding school boy (Stowe) and wanted Ds to go to boarding school which would have been a disaster. We put Ds in the indy on the understanding he would stay there for as long as it worked for him. TBh I am not 100% sure it will work for him from now going forwards. We do need to really consider it all tbh. But I just don't see our future here in the UK any more and my priority is keeping him safe and well. I want DS to be safe and happy and to get through school in some sort of way.

I don;'t know., I feel confused and helpless a bit

I do.

Here is why:

I have a child in a fee paying school. Fees went up 7% this year and we have 12% added in Jan.

DC will leave in Sept 2025, as their private bursary is ending. It is from private Trust who have emailed to say sorry, the increase in fees and VAT means they cannot support DC to the level they did last year and the fund is closing. In 23-24 they paid 75% of the fees. This year they have not offered a % but £2k a term. Very kind of them, but it’s not enough so we will go.

The bonus from this is I will no longer need to work in my particular job. The state will educate my child, thank you, I appreciate it, the past few years have been hard. And the NHS will loose a midwife - it’s a horrible organisation to work for so again, I appreciate being able to leave and do something else. I’m looking forward to it.

BUT. This VAT policy has a lot of support. Education is a mess and in need of cash. So we need to produce the cash. So we need to tax it all. Every educational thing. There is no magic bullet, except apparently money. So we all need to pitch in.

I am heartbroken for my child. But I genuinely don’t expect anyone to care, as it’s not their child and they won’t believe we aren’t rich.