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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that senior officers in the armed forces should use state schools for their DCs

227 replies

soul2000 · 15/09/2013 18:30

I think it is wrong that many senior officers have a perk, that in effect is worth 40-50k pa in benefit in kind. There are state boarding schools, grammar schools and all types of state schools available.

Why should public sector employees, have this ludicrous benefit when there are state boarding schools, and if there was more demand more state schools could open boarding houses anyway.

I think this is a throwback to the 19th century, it is totally wrong in todays world. Today schools are having to make massive cut backs in all kind of expenditure, yet some officers DDS/DS are getting lessons in how to stage the perfect dinner party. This paid for by the struggling taxpayer who is forced to educate their DCs by comprehensive..

OP posts:
heidihole · 15/09/2013 21:39

Learning how to stage perfect dinner parties?

Offensive prick...

PassTheCremeEggs · 15/09/2013 21:39

Soul - why are you so angry? Is it actually few paying schools you have such an issue with?

PassTheCremeEggs · 15/09/2013 21:40

Few = fee

MrsOakenshield · 15/09/2013 21:40

you seem to be rather cherry-picking, OP. From a 10-second visit to the Downe House website:

Community Service
Closer to home girls from Downe House help in local schools and organised a Christmas party for children from the Castle School. Our girls help with Mencap, an old people's home, nurseries, charity shops, the Cats Protection League and Riding for the Disabled. We also support local charity Buddies by providing girls to act as chaperones during activities using our facilities. A major undertaking is the annual day in early July when every girl in the U4 works in the community for a day.

MrsOakenshield · 15/09/2013 21:43

and from the Sixth Form prospectus:

We believe Community Service is a vital part of becoming a responsible
and caring individual, and our girls are encouraged to spend part of her
Sixth Form years working voluntarily in such establishments as a school
for children with partial hearing, or for those with autism.

goinggetstough · 15/09/2013 21:43

Mrs I also saw the bit that said they raised over £92000 in 2010/11 in the section Downe in the Community. So very similiar to CLC and Benenden.

Loupee · 15/09/2013 21:49

I wonder if someone more informed than me know, how much does it cost on average to educate a child per year in a state school after the age of 8? I only ask because it would then bring down the value of such a perk, if a figure was known?

MrsOakenshield · 15/09/2013 21:51

sorry, I haven't read the whole thread but DH has just told me that this 'perk' isn't available any more? (BIL's best mate is a Major, this came from BIL) - is that true?

Almostfifty · 15/09/2013 21:51

Our local comp apparently comes in at £4,000 per child. That's the cheapest in the authority.

Loupee · 15/09/2013 21:53

CEA is still available, but the conditions under which it is granted have become stricter I believe.

Loupee · 15/09/2013 21:55

So one might suggest that the savings gained from not putting your child through state education makes the allowance worth around £11000. Not far off the cost of boarding at a state school.

hf128219 · 15/09/2013 21:58

And as the rest of the cost is out of the families own pocket does it really matter whether its State or Private?

MrsOakenshield · 15/09/2013 21:58

thanks Loupee, I have now read the rest of the thread which I should have done in the first place Blush.

Having read the rest of the thread, I am even less able to understand what the OP is on about!

kim147 · 15/09/2013 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

topicsactiveimon · 15/09/2013 22:02

That's one of the most ignorant OPs I've read on Mumsnet. Nice going.

Original poster
soul2000 · 15/09/2013 22:02

So you admit the wording is offensive and out of touch then.

What amazes me about this site is how so many people call grammar schools every name under the sun, and yet pour praise on the public schools

Its as if half the people on this site can afford public school education and are "IM ALRIGHT JACK" and the other half are frightenend they might fail their 11+ and end up at Secondary Modern.

Not that Mrs oakenshield knows what a Secondary Modern is though, and its only the other kids go there, that most of her pupils will only ever come in to contact with in controlled situations if ever.

Grammar schools have their faults, regarding tutoring and excluding kids who should be there, but my god they at least give the kids who get in a 15% chance of emulating the pupils from DOWNE HOUSE.

Mrs Oakenshield i am sure you are a fantastic teacher/housemistress or associate of Downe House and i am greatful for the charity work you have down in the past year. But all public schools are really a bit out of reality.

Yeah sure, i would have if i could have sent my niece to Downe House or other, because its the best chance of getting anywhere,but thats not the point.

SORRY IF THIS HAS BORED PEOPLE.

OP posts:
hf128219 · 15/09/2013 22:03

Per term.

Loupee · 15/09/2013 22:04

hf12 I really don't think it does matter.
In conclusion whether the child of serving armed personnel goes to private or state boarding, the difference in the cost to the tax payer is negligible.
It is also worth bearing in mind that £15k or there abouts is the maximum amount you can claim, not the amount that everyone is entitled to.

goinggetstough · 15/09/2013 22:04

It is termly.
Going back the OP's initial post Downe House does indeed run the Pru Leith cookery course. The parents pay an extra massive fee £1500-2000 I think for their DD's to participate. It is certainly not paid for through boarding school allowance (CEA)

Original poster
soul2000 · 15/09/2013 22:06

I have Appooigised about the benefit i amount. I took the word of another poster on a different thread who is usally right about things. If you have read a post further up you will see i say sorry to Going about the mistake.

OP posts:
Loupee · 15/09/2013 22:07

The OP appears to have turned her anger away from the 'privileged armed forces children' to private schools in their entirety. And that is one argument that I couldn't give a shit about.

Original poster
soul2000 · 15/09/2013 22:07

I cant even spell now apologised about giving the wrong numbers.

OP posts:
MrsOakenshield · 15/09/2013 22:08

um - I'm not a teacher or work at any school. I'm merely availed myself of the internet and took a look at the DH website, just as you did. Only I found some different information which seemed to rather contradict what you are saying. Which you seem to have taken umbrage at.

It's all a bit odd.

hf128219 · 15/09/2013 22:09

Soul
May I ask what your actual gripe is?

LtEveDallas · 15/09/2013 22:10

Soul, why did you go on the other thread and say that people on this one had told you to FUCK OFF? I can't see it, or any deleted posts Confused.

What is your problem with Downe House (I've never actually heard of it). You seemed to start off digging at the military, but then went off on a tangent about that specific school. I am very confused?