In Defence of Private Schools

What’s the difference between private and state? A figure deliberately given to suggest that state schools can’t or don’t get rid of incompetent teachers (they very much do) and no corresponding figure for private schools?

I misread the article, I thought the shitty behaviour was in a state, not a private school.

But rest assured, incompetent teachers are got rid of from state schools all the time. They’re asked to leave too, just like the ones in private schools. Or managed out through competency proceedings. Or are told that they will fail their NQT year if they don’t quit.

The figure of 17 teachers is not an accurate depiction of the situation.

Many many people choose state schools NOT just for financial reasons but because they feel that their children will have a more well-rounded education by spending time with a more diverse cross-section of society and (usually) different cultures. Education and learning is clearly not confined to narrowly-defined academic subjects, but (for example) how to learn from peers, particularly those from a range of backgrounds, fully participating in civic society on a more equal footing and not buying into the fundamental dishonesty of public schools' charitable status. Public schools do not offer this. I've a lot of experience of different public and state schools and of children/'graduates' from both, and it is very clear that state schools (not just very high performing ones) offer much that public schools can't replicate. The dishonesty that public schools “provides benefit to the public” as defined under the Charities Act is surely a very poor reflection of those schools' values.

This is obviously a case of lies, damned lies and statistics.

“Asked to leave” is different to “being dismissed”.

In the last 10 years, only 17 out of 400,000 teachers in state schools were dismissed due to incompetence.
During my three years in one school, four teachers were asked to leave

From the first article. So if only 17 teachers in 17 years have been dismissed due to incompetence it seems extraordinary that 4 in three years were at the school he was working at

I think it would swing my vote away from labour. I am pro choice.

In the last 10 years, only 17 out of 400,000 teachers in state schools were dismissed due to incompetence.

You what? This figure is horseshit.

I’m sorry- I wasn’t meaning your child -obviously you moved her to a school which you felt would meet her needs-and I am very glad it did. It’s just the underlying assumption- not just by you, but frequently made- that in order to escape bullying you have to go private. And you did say something about a child “not suited to the state system” as if all state schools are the same....

“Please stop reducing it down to such unhelpful statements like above.”
I’m not. The unhelpful statement is “I had to move to private because X happened in state”

I agree that behaviour is usually better in private schools- as it is in all selective schools. But bullying happens in ^all* schools regardless of sector - and I would be very wary of any Head who said it didn’t in theirs”

“You are already bought into your opinion so you will not be swayed - but you do your research on a private school in the way you do your research on a state school”
Of course you do. But the assumption that there will be no, for example, bullying at a private school is wildly wrong.

Overstretched and under-appreciated.

The sheer ignorance on this thread. Private schools don’t make state schools bad, they just highlight their inadequacy. Abolishing them will not improve state schools by forcing good families into the state sector (I would also dispute the assumption that privately educating makes you an involved pushy parent, we privately educate, partially for the reason that we don’t want to have to drive our children around to clubs, supervise their homework, hire tutors etc.). Many private school families will see the writing on the wall and get the fuck out rather than risk getting stuck in a far left shit show.

With regards to the Finnish system, it’s far from ideal. They stream very early and their economy is poorly managed in an attempt to fund all their programs. The people I know who have come out of that system seem like they’ve really been let down. I wouldn’t send a child to Finnish style school.

Bullying does occur at private schools too.

I find it odd that people say “I had to move my child to private because X happened at their state school” The assumption seems to be that a) all state schools are the same and b) that X never happens at private school.

Why feel guilty? It's a business transaction and you choose how to spend your money. It shouldn't be anyone else's business. You do what you think is right, as do most parents (whether it is move house to be beside an outstanding state, buying them the most fashionable shoes, or send them to an afterschool club).

I'd be intrigued to see what happened in our area. We are desperately short of state school places locally and we have a huge number of private schools. If they were all closed and the state suddenly had to fund places for the thousands of children who hadn't been their responsibility, I imagine the crisis would get worse, not better.

Thats really great for your nephhew but what about the people that don't have choice @areyoubeingserviced? and don't have that kind of cash to throw at their children?

My sister has recently removed my nephew from his state school, because he was very unhappy and lonely. It got to the point that my nephew was refusing to go to school.
She then reluctantly put him in a small private school. He has thrived, in fact he is like a different child.
As others have said all private schools are not the same and all state schools are not the same. My sister did not put her son in private school so that he could mix with a ‘better class’ of people. She put him in a particular private school because she believed that it was the best place for him.
She made the right decision
Getting rid of private schools will not improve the state system. It would just mean that there would be more ‘ competition ‘ to get into the good state schools
Private schools may contribute to inequality in education. However, I know many wealthy people who put their children in state schools and then pay for private tutoring. Their dcs also have an advantage, despite attending a state school

Actually I think its over 90 boys on full 100%+ bursaries this year and aiming for 100 next year..