to think the state should pay part of our private school fees?

[wolvesarejustoldendaydogs]

Don't jump down my throat! It's just a thought.

State schools are overcrowded and there aren't enough good ones. Private schools are expensive.

What if every child had a right to have their state school 'payment' (whatever it costs per child per year') paid to a private school? Obviously parents would have to top-up (probably a considerable amount).

That would create a bit of a market, with more choice, making private schools more affordable and state ones less overcrowded.

Or is it a stupid idea for a reason I will think of soon after pressing 'POST'?

People find the money for drugs. It might be lower grade but my secondary was rife with it.

Seeker, you forgot to mention what type of school your children attend.

If people think they will escape drugs by paying school fees they are living in cloud cuckoo land!

Maybe exotic, but that should be their choice shouldn't it, and not something the government forbid them to do, or even try to make it difficult to do.

Noqontrol- guess!

I don't think people do think they will escape drugs exotic. But it's about having a chance at getting a decent education isn't it. I came out out of my comp with a little bit of a habit, but I wouldn't deny that private schools also have the same problem.

Seeker, I'm no good at the guessing game.

I'm wondering why you think it's relevant.

You thought it was relevant to ask me. That is why I am asking you.

It's relevant because it shows if you practice what you preach.

I don't think I did. I asked what you meant by 'sink school' but I don't think I asked you where you children go to school.

You asked me to explain what my local school was like. I guess you thought I was being a bit precious about it. But it's ok, I assume you have secured a decent state school for your children. Which is fine, but don't judge me for my decisions

Ha ha ha . Piss off .

Who you saying that to Iamg?

You assume incorrectly. It is very depressing that anyone who takes a principled position on education is assumed to be one of the lucky 'leafy suburbs outstanding school' brigade

Oh well, you don't want to talk about it then. You asked me to talk about it and I obliged. But you don't want to. No worries then.

I have one at grammar school, and one at what mumsnetters would call a "sink school". Not what you assumed, I presume. Interesting that you choose not to comment on that part of my post!

Lol. What is your definition of a sink school seeker?

Which part of your post has not been acknowledged seeker?

Or is it information by stealth! Why not just say it as it is? Still interested in your interpretation of sink school btw.

He bit about the assumptions you made about me, and by extension, others who take a principled position on education.

"Sink" school, by mumsnet definition- 160 intake- 10 high ability. 0 EBACC. sub 40% A-C or equivalents. Lots of hairdressing and catering. Lots of tattooed parents. High level of FSM and SEN.

Your definition seeker, not mumsnet. What's YOUR definition????

Meh, I don't actually care anymore. If your child goes to a genuine sink school then I am surprised at your attitude. Maybe you're in the leafy nice patch of town or maybe you're not. But as you're not prepared to talk about it properly, then actually neither am I. With you anyway.

seeker, noqontrol wanted your definition, not a supposed mumsnet one. And I know you don't think your ds's probable school is a sink - it has great value add I seem to remember and you've spoken well of it in the past.

fwiw, everyone will have a different threshold/set of reasons below which they will want to try very hard to go elsewhere. I don't think that's a bad thing either - the world isn't black and white and we are not all clones. It would be a boring place if it were.

x post

In the real world most areas of the country do not have a grammar school to cream off the brightest and most parents can't afford fees and so this means that about 98% of children will be in the comprehensive. The majority of these parents have high expectations for their DCs because they are professional people themselves. Any parents event that I have attended has earnest questions about Oxbridge.
It also seems to have escaped people's notice that times are tough. Two local prep schools have gone under this year. The one I spoke about earlier was making cuts because numbers were declining. Primary age ones are the first to go, people are more inclined to save the money for secondary, but even they are feeling the pinch and saved by pupils from overseas. I have several friends who were privately educated themselves but send their ownDCs to state comprehensives- they can't afford otherwise.
People may desperately want to send their DCs to a private school but they probably simply can't afford it and they also have no chance of a grammar school because there are none in their area. My nephew has been in the private system from prep prep to where he is at the moment-year 13. He has done well and loved it but he hasn't achieved anything more than my DSs. The only real advantage is that he plays a sport at County level and DSs school didn't take it that seriously. Having said that, another comprehensive in the town takes sport more seriously and turns out County players.

So to get back to OP I don't think the state should pay, they provide schools, if you want different it is up to you to pay.