to pretend that state school is not so bad...

[RichTeas]

We are in an area with no shortage of preps and indies; the state schools are not bad, but for us, definitely not the preferred option. Yet it looks like it's going to be state all the way through. So far DS (Y3) doesn't have any idea of the types of schools that exist, as we have never openly discussed it, but I expect soon he will be clued up enough to question the system he finds himself in. It feels disingenuous to fib that we're happy with just a state education (when we're not), yet we don't want him to grow up feeling he's missed out by over-egging the independents. I suppose it could be worse, he could be in private and then forced to come out, but the issues is the same I wonder how others explain this kind of mismatch...

Duck duck goose and marco polo,something to do with duvet's,and some clothing I have from the 80's
I'd have liked to send my boys privately,finances stopped that. Both have graduated with 1sts. Environment is helpful.

Duck, duck, goose . As played at all the best State schools?
Did you think this was the sole province of the independent sector, Charley?

My much younger cousin goes to private school and describes anyone who doesn't as a "pleb" .

Iodine that says more about his parents than his school imvho.

I too live in an area full of beautiful fee paying schools that my kids have to travel past in order to reach their state school. Which is a great school btw! They are fine with it. They know if we won the lottery we'd look into fee paying schools, but until then it's not an option.

The hardest thing around here is the (loaded) question of "where do your children go to school?" Although actually I find the people who are the most bothered/ shocked/ dismayed are never people I want in my life!

I tell my children it doesn't matter where they go to school. In my experience it really doesn't for the majority. Unless of you are desperate for your child to be leader of the Tory party, in which case Eton is the way to go!

These are the sports we participated in in my comprehensive school:

cross-country running, netball, rounders, tennis, fencing, badminton, volleyball, swimming, bowling, judo, tae kwondo, trampolining, gymnastics, hockey, rounders, football, aerobics, country dancing, athletics, rugby and squash. (My brother playing in the school rugby team gave him some useful skills for when he went on to play rugby when at the University of St Andrew's).

We also had debating clubs, book clubs, art clubs etc.

I have to admit we didn't have duck duck goose goose! I need some counselling now

Yes you see your list is all well and good but without duck duck goose or marco polo it looks a bit shabby apostropheuse. And where's the flying broomsticks? Deprived of opportunities IMO.

"Unless of you are desperate for your child to be leader of the Tory party, in which case Eton is the way to go!"

Oh Yes, like those well know Eton goers Thatcher and Major and that well know comp kid Blair!

Impty You must mix with strange people. I can't imagine anyone I know being surprised my child didn't go private.

I really quite honestly do not give a flying fandango about what sports are on offer, and frankly if that is the main difference between a private school and a state one I feel this is a misuse of your money.

Oh, and in the Inferiority Complex we are going with the option that got one of us into a Naice University. That would be my comp, as opposed to DP's posh boarding school.

Erm. Encountered all the sports/playground games on that daft list in state education (admittedly lacrosse was at my own grammar, it's bloody lethal).

Is that supposed to sell the concept of private education? Blimey.

And I'm getting funny looks and snotty comments from people around me because we are fully intending to send our dd to a selective private school, while her brother is happy as a pig in shit at the local state school down the road! Educating your children is something you can't win at - whatever you do, sometimes :( But what a hideous thread title...The OP hasnt really explained her ishoos yet, has she? Or have i missed it?

Oh boo fucking hoo, some people don't get a choice in the matter.

And they aren't 'so bad' at all.

If you can afford it, good for you, that must be nice, send your children, why not.

But don't expect sympathy for having to 'pretend' that state school is good enough for you and your little darlings.

Doesn't matter what school you go to anyway, if you're an achiever you will achieve.

sparklingbrook I will eventually get over my great sadness about that - but it may take some time.

I've always been used to second-best. It's just not fair and I'm going to scream and scream and ...well you can guess the rest!

Oh em gee duck duck goose was seriously considered to unique to a private education.

I suppose that generalisation may be slightly better than assuming that typical state school activities would include how to race pigeons or how to maximise the enjoyment of your deep fat fryer

OP; your kids will be just fine. I went to private school and still fucked up my life! I had lots of opportunities but wasted me and now I am a single mum on a shite wage. Many of my friends have done brilliantly at state school. I feel that private school kids are part of a rich club and if your not part of the rich club then your life is made hell. They aint all that.

What about the non sporty privately educated? Will someone think of them?

BTW; I hate all the school snobbery. If you go to a private school your a snob and if you go to a state school well your just rough/normal I guess. Apparently the kids at my old private school used to throw coins at the kids from the local state school which shows that money cannot always buy a good education or manners for that matter.

Nah, member, it's teenage pregnancy and cheap KFCalike round here. Pigeons are positively posh.

Yes Everlong all they have at the comps are the spoons and if they are very lucky they get given a tin whistle.

Radley - 670 pupils, Winchester - 670, Harrow - 800, Abingdon - 900, Tonbridge -800. I'm struggling to find a private secondary that has 500 pupils. Maybe all the ones I've listed aren't any good.

Why does no-one offer archery? I have been reduced to teaching my DDs archery myself (and the little devils are going to start beating me soon)

Duck duck goose? Really?