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Original poster

AIBU to question rising private school fees amid declining GCSE results

386 replies

Sidedoors · 23/08/2026 16:09

Private school GCSE decline.

What happened? Is this an example of what’s to come?

Fees are rising well beyond inflation annually yet, results are in decline.

State schools prioritising, ‘reserving seats’ in house for 6th Form. Risky investment?

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/gcse-results-day-2026-6-key-trends-from-this-years-data/

AIBU to question rising private school fees amid declining GCSE results
AIBU to question rising private school fees amid declining GCSE results
AIBU to question rising private school fees amid declining GCSE results
AIBU to question rising private school fees amid declining GCSE results
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Araminta1004 · 29/08/2026 10:57

Happy to see that MN has now looked into this! Thanks moderators.

Britishvalues · 29/08/2026 10:03

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Britishvalues · 29/08/2026 09:35

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Britishvalues · 29/08/2026 09:30

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Britishvalues · 29/08/2026 09:24

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Britishvalues · 29/08/2026 09:21

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38thparallel · 29/08/2026 09:02

The Government have built a massive state apparatus to control state education but they simply don’t like the fact they don’t have the same level of control over a small number of schools, because they are independently funded and have more freedom to do things their way.

Yes indeed. Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser

Araminta1004 · 29/08/2026 07:46

What are “schools”?
I like my children’s teachers, the head, the buildings, the grounds, the whole community, many humans trying their level best and working hard.
What I do not like is the heavy handed state apparatus behind it all trying to control everyone in those buildings and telling them exactly what they can and cannot do and teach. That is entirely separate.

The point is independent education of the state is what offends the Labour Party and hence why they always want to destroy it. The Government have built a massive state apparatus to control state education but they simply don’t like the fact they don’t have the same level of control over a small number of schools, because they are independently funded and have more freedom to do things their way.

Missey85 · 29/08/2026 07:22

Araminta1004 · 28/08/2026 10:33

And by the way I am pissed that the State ordains from the top exactly what my kids should be learning and how they should think because they are subjected to a mandatory national curriculum. Like most people with a proper higher education I teach my kids to challenge both the national curriculum and the political dogma/brainwashing behind it. You can do that even if you can’t afford private school. I still fully support m my DC state schools as they don’t get a choice but to rigidly implement whatever nonsense the Patriarchal system of DFE and ofsted overlords them with.

If you hate schools so much homeschool your kids then

arlequin · 28/08/2026 20:47

Many parents can’t afford private and choose state so selective private schools forced to widen their net and let in less academic kids which will affect results

Longtimelurker1980 · 28/08/2026 17:49

Backtoschooloncemore · 28/08/2026 16:05

This is really an ironic post - obviously trying to position themselves as having a kind of superiority over the very people they are accusing of having a kind of superiority whilst also denigrating them.

Show quote history

Err what? I’m simply saying that you don’t escape anything in either educational forum. Not sure how that can possibly be construed as taking some sort of moral high ground?

You sound very chippy.

Longtimelurker1980 · 28/08/2026 17:44

38thparallel · 28/08/2026 15:47

Small world views like racism, homophobia etc but also classist, snobbish views that stem from the kind of superiority that can surround the advantaged, regardless of how they are schooled.

@Longtimelurker1980 thank you for answering my question.
I’m surprised these advantaged children dare espouse views like that. Do they voice such opinions to the teachers?
Are they ever reported for hate speech?

i know that the PHSE programme addresses Andrew Tate stuff as well as normal education on equality, discrimination etc. Yet some kids still use the word ‘bent’. Luckily there are plenty of other kids who are willing to call them out. But it’s still there, from the children of professional middle class families among others.

if teachers heard it I have no doubt they would take it ultra seriously. Several year 11 children were excluded last year for making a fake porn video of a female peer. Police called and children only allowed to come in and do their exams without being able to mix/talk with peers.

Labraradabrador · 28/08/2026 17:00

PancakeCloud · 28/08/2026 15:58

Of course it’s not just for grades. It’s mainly to keep them away from povvos no?

Show quote history

According to the bots OP, private schools are full (ONE THIRD!) of hardship cases so there really is no respite

Backtoschooloncemore · 28/08/2026 16:05

Longtimelurker1980 · 28/08/2026 15:40

In their state school. Children of people who think they are better than everyone else and teach that to their kids. Small world views like racism, homophobia etc but also classist, snobbish views that stem from the kind of superiority that can surround the advantaged, regardless of how they are schooled.

Show quote history

This is really an ironic post - obviously trying to position themselves as having a kind of superiority over the very people they are accusing of having a kind of superiority whilst also denigrating them.

PancakeCloud · 28/08/2026 15:58

Dooferer · 23/08/2026 16:32

Parents don’t aways send kids to private schools for grades. You know that don’t you? It’s a much more enriching experience. They come out of it much happier and more confident. That probably helps them more in future life than being a few grades higher in a few subjects.

Of course it’s not just for grades. It’s mainly to keep them away from povvos no?

Backtoschooloncemore · 28/08/2026 15:54

Longtimelurker1980 · 28/08/2026 15:40

In their state school. Children of people who think they are better than everyone else and teach that to their kids. Small world views like racism, homophobia etc but also classist, snobbish views that stem from the kind of superiority that can surround the advantaged, regardless of how they are schooled.

Show quote history

Racist and homophobic views are not limited to ‘that advantages’ in any way. Neither is snobbery in the sense of feeling better than others. ‘Reverse’ snobbery quite commonly presents itself on threads about private schools in derogatory terms and accusations about those who attend them.

Socialcircles · 28/08/2026 15:49

Let’s all get behind the Labour government,

They’ve inherited a financial black hole after 14 years of conservative greed and overspend.

We want to see Labour level up state education for the masses! as priority in these coming years,

We need more content to debate with the Hyacinth Buckets that all live amongst us!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/G9A_5frplog?is=CAgYckstCf6EA0xF

38thparallel · 28/08/2026 15:47

Small world views like racism, homophobia etc but also classist, snobbish views that stem from the kind of superiority that can surround the advantaged, regardless of how they are schooled.

@Longtimelurker1980 thank you for answering my question.
I’m surprised these advantaged children dare espouse views like that. Do they voice such opinions to the teachers?
Are they ever reported for hate speech?

Socialcircles · 28/08/2026 15:43

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Araminta1004 · 28/08/2026 15:41

I don’t have to pay robotshik, my kids go state.

Longtimelurker1980 · 28/08/2026 15:40

38thparallel · 28/08/2026 14:00

however, they are also around friends who are advantaged and snobby and have what I would call ‘small world’ views and have learned to challenge that too

@Longtimelurker1980 Where do they meet these ‘advantaged and snobby’ people? What are their small world views that your morally superior children challenge?

In their state school. Children of people who think they are better than everyone else and teach that to their kids. Small world views like racism, homophobia etc but also classist, snobbish views that stem from the kind of superiority that can surround the advantaged, regardless of how they are schooled.

Araminta1004 · 28/08/2026 15:38

Also no appreciation of cultural depth. You cannot even tell when we deliberately provoke you. You do not know how to react.

Like I said, spot a mile off

Socialcircles · 28/08/2026 15:37

Araminta1004 · 28/08/2026 15:36

You can spout and mimic and quote but you have zero understanding of nuance, inference and virtually zero EI.

And you have no money to pay your private school fees. 🤖💰✌️

Araminta1004 · 28/08/2026 15:36

You can spout and mimic and quote but you have zero understanding of nuance, inference and virtually zero EI.

Araminta1004 · 28/08/2026 15:33

Yes we must stop the invasion of MN by bots.

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