Separate board needed for Private Schools?

It would be really unfortunate if MN segregate the board.
It is all the diversity and the traffic that makes it worthwhile. I learn a lot about education issues from threads about independent schools even though DC are in state sector. I also value answers from members that are in indy sector. I don't want to loose this. Segregation would destroy it - make it a private board for a handful of hardliners of each sort.

I admit I feel a little bit like a looser when I can't label everything I buy to be the best on Earth. But then I ask myself: "Is the need to post such messages another form of insecurity?" I usually calm down with the thought that I am doing fine by my standards and I like myself. I mean seeing other people's misery makes us human .

Otherwise 'hide thread' is useful indeed.

I must admit I can enjoy a private v state ruck. I don't know about now, but there always used to be the same old posters entrenched in their respective positions.

I heartily agree, otoh, about those threads which ask about two random schools in Flintshire. The chances of getting a decent or indeed meaningful spread of opinions is minuscule.

Mrs Bright, which university do you teach at? And do you have a hand in admissions at all?

Is the questions about which school you object to OP (most of which are state btw and often about grammars)?

Or is the issue really that you object to private school?

And miss threads like statesmom?

Whilst I personally would love to be able to find a separate section on just private schools, I think it's unfair on those who are deciding between private and state not to find out all the info they need under one topic.

There are also many people who have dc at both private and state schools. Which section do you think they're allowed in?

No, I don't. As a parent I want to be aware of the full range of educational establishments and issues in this country, wen if they're not relevant to me.

Maybe we need a board for just those topics that keep coming up in general, WOHM v SAHM, parking in child parking spaces without a child, AIBU to let my DC run amok in a restaurant etc, we could call it the "here we go again" board

Own thread

I think that confining discussion of private education to its win thread would be discriminatory.

There's one called TrinityWhitgift which is running like a train. I assumed it was a joke title for a quiche, but when I clicked on it it was actual discussion of a school.

LOL at 'the private school version of trip advisor'

But I do think you are being a bit unreasonable. 1. Many parents are applying to the full range of schools, private, comp, grammar/super-selective, I2. 'm not sure further segregation is in the interests of productive debate, 3. Irritation is s state of mind: I do sometimes imagine the Camping Boards with a separate section for the million identical threads asking about airbed v SIM...but it's all part of the ongoing discussion. And the freedom of posters to post.

Perhaps there are so many independent school threads because so many of the top independents take pupils who are not local. If I wanted info on a local school, I would post on local as it is more likely I would get the traffic there who would know that particular school,however, if I was looking at a boarding school elsewhere in the country the best place to post would be on education as local knowledge may not be appropriate.

Maybe we need a " which school?" topic, so this is not about private vs state but threads which have a general and specific audience.

There's also crossover for those looking at state grammar v private. Personally don't like too many boards, if you don't want to read about private schools ignore the thread.

It is just that time of year.

It's a bit like all the threads from reception mums in October with "help my child doesn't know how to read, and no one taught me phonics, and what on earth am I meant to write in the reading book each day". You answer a few, then hide and move on. Or "what is the best shop to buy grey pinafores in" in July. Come April we'll be moving onto "is my 16 year old ever going to revise?".

[ yeah! I realise I haven't gone through in calendar order!]

Maybe the Property/DIY topic needs to be divided into Homeowners, Renters and Council tenants, as well?

Last year I had a hard time deciding between State or Private, and Faith schools, not sure how useful it is to have the topics segregated if you are working out between them.

If you're looking at a local state school with a small catchment you are more likely to know plenty of people who have/have had children there than if you are talking about a boarding school 200 miles away.

I know there are threads that seem to be started to boast/troll but I find them funny because they don't usually get the response the OP is looking for. They'll be told that actually X is better for academic DC but Y is strong for more of an all rounder and have helpful comments about uniform lists from people who take their post at face value and don't see it as a big deal.

bisjo best point so far

Perhaps the property section should be split into SDLT thresholds. Combined with zones for London.

It's the same people who ask Knightsbridge or Belgravia? They are just showboating. as if they are going to decide on Roedean or Mallory Towers based on the opinions of a few gin soaked mumsnetters.

The state versus private threads would be merged into one and suspended in educational purgatory. They will be allowed to pass the 1000 posts limit and go on in a hand-wringing fashion forever and ever.

I am a bit surprised by the high proportion of independent school threads, given the small proportion of children in the UK who are independently educated. But those are the proportions, so would MNHQ not take the view that the boards are self-determining - i.e. they will proportionately reflect the interests of those who bother to post on them?
In answer to your question about how to suggest this separation, I imagine posting your views on Site Stuff may be one way to go.

I find 'hide this thread' very useful.