To think that this settles it for me (Education)

[WashingMachineMum]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12168236

Out of the top 200 schools hitting the target, only 8 were not independant or academically selective schools.

Come September I think it will be worth getting my wallet out for my DD's future.

A target retrospectively imposed isn't much of a basis for making a decision. I wouldn't take Gove's advice on educating my dog.

Even if it was an arbitrary standard set afterwards, they can't fake the fact that the top 200 results are so skewed in favour of private. State education has really gone to pot in the last decade, with cuts, and this is the result.

Also its all about GCSE choices - if the school hasn't made history/geography or a MFL compulsory at GCSE level well then that would discount a lot of pupils. Give it two years when schools have had a chance to change their curriculum and then see..

In 2 years it will be too late (DD will be starting big school come Sept)

A lot of state eduction is excellent. If you want to make your decision based on one table then that is totally up to you but I wouldn't expect too many peope to be following your example. I know I would want far more information than this before making a decision.

Also it's pretty much a skewed game - middle class children whose parents care about education do better than other children. In independent schools all the children are middle class children whose parents care about education. There's nothing to say that your child will do any better in a private school than in the local comp and many comps actually have much better 'value added' scores than independent schools.

Fromt he state (Pun intended) of the State schools I've toured, I'd probably say this Table is reliable (and obviously not the only info I'm using, like I said, this SETTLES it)

Cuts in the last decade? Where? The state system is a million times better than it used to be.

What misskeith says.

The selective school DD1 attends scores 100% A*-C at GCSE, 88% Bacc (3 sciences + MFL compulsory at GCSE).

DD2 may well be at the local high school next year, which has 57% A-C and 10% Bacc. This doesn't mean that she won't be able to do all the subjects included in the Bacc if that's appropriate for her, doesn't mean that her GCSE results won't be 100% A-C.

Yes, DH's school had the majority of its pupils not choosing Geography or History.

Now that they have to the results will go up obviously

YABU.

But this table doesn't actually tell you much at all does it? What are the value added scores of those schools?that is the only measure which will tell you how your child will do at a given school.

Hijack - Misskeith - is that Forest-based?

"In 2 years it will be too late (DD will be starting big school come Sept)" - Sweet baby jesus and the orphans woman - stop being a drama queen and get a grip!

Education is not just done in schools, children learn from their parents and siblings anf family and friends. They learn through play and through copying.

If you support your DD and the school, she'll be fine - just because you're paying for something doesn't necessarily make it better.

You are clearly in an area that has poor provision then, it does happen and it is a shame.

We live within a few miles of three of the best state schools around and are very very lucky, they challenge the results of local private schools which we also have an abundance of - and they are all rated very well in tables such as the one above.

IMO it has to be done on what suits the child, some ways of educating fit one better than another, simply being in a building where they feel comfortable makes a huge difference, the people they are with (good friends etc) do matter. These are all things which cannot be judged by a table and can only be assessed by a parent.

The best thing for my child is the place that she is happy and healthy - regardless of the results they achieve or how much it costs per term.

WMM, do you have a grammar system where you are? DS's school is in that list and is a grammar, so doesn't cost a bean

I am not going to waste my time arguing but YABU I think. and that settles it

Well it's up to you. Hope you have a nice fat wallet

.....and DS went to a completely crap state school - and still came out with 10 A* and 4 A's and got a decent uni place too. He refused a place at Grammar school as his friends weren't going and as I'd already moved him during his primary years and didn't want to do have him go through the whole thing of making new friends etc whilst making the transition to secondary education (or big school as you put it)

If a child wants to learn and are supported in that I believe they will succeed wherever they are.

We paid for our DS's education, he dropped out like others in the same school You can't hold them down to FORCE them at the rebellious age can you? YABVU

Op

Yes get your wallet out and leave the excellent (and free) state education available for my children.

Paying for private education is not going to guarantee your child will do any better than at a state school. If she has the ability she can apply that ability whatever the school.

And this thread about education is in the AIBU topic because ... ?

... its because you wanted to start a fight isn't it?

Well I'm not playing, you silly person.

Gove has chosen a list of traditional academic subjects - it's obvious that traditional and academically selective schools are going to be more likely to steer their pupils down that route. As it happens, I'd quite like my children to gain most of those qualifications, and if they're able enough, there's nothing to stop them in any of the schools round here.

DD1's school is very high in that table, and it will set off yet more 11+ panic round here in years to come - but factor in 'A' level results and its position drops sharply, as though it is very hard to get into the lower school, the 6th form is less selective, and is the main 'A' level destination for children from the other 2 secondaries in the town.

The quality of teaching is as good in the 6th form as it is in the lower school, and most children stay on to take their 'A' levels there and do very well, but by being less selective in its intake, inevitably the average result is lower than it would otherwise have been. Unless you take into account the starting level of the children admitted to the schools, these stats are never going to be meaningful.