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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain to the school because all of Y6 is being taken to a local private school for a "Taster Day"

63 replies

MimiSam · 19/09/2013 12:45

My son has just come home from his state school with a letter saying all of Y6 is being taken on a "Taster Day" to a private school nearby. The purpose of it is, and I quote, to give the children "a taste of a few of the activities that our pupils enjoy on a daily basis". They will see the music, art and sport facilities and visit the school farm. The private school is providing transport and food on the day.
I thoroughly object to this - why show the children all the wonderful facilities that the vast majority of them will never be able to enjoy, as their parents can't afford it and/ or object to private education? I don't want to withdraw my son and make him stay behind, while everyone else goes on a fun day out (although I might), but I do think that if a private school is touting for business, then they should target parents, not children and state schools should not be going along with this. AIBU?

OP posts:
malteserzz · 19/09/2013 15:27

Awful ! I'd definitely complain and if they insisted on going ahead I'd keep my children at home on the day

hiddenhome · 19/09/2013 15:29

Ds2's Catholic school did this. They took them to see the Chorister School (vair expensive) in the City. The Chorister School is attached to the Church of England Cathedral Hmm

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 19/09/2013 15:33

YANBU, that's pretty crap on behalf of both schools involved.

SirChenjin · 19/09/2013 15:36

YANBU - I would want to see a report showing the learning outcomes in detail before I would even think about whether or not to let the DCs go.

Actually, that's not true. I am fundamentally opposed to private schools - to me it would be like the school deciding that it would be a good idea to visit our local SNP MSP to see how politics work - so over my dead body would they go.

I would keep them off school that day and do something constructive like visiting the local sports centre to see the type of activities open to the whole town at a fraction of the cost of a private education.

Groovee · 19/09/2013 15:40

When my son was in p4, they joined up with a local private school to do an eco project. It was quite good fun.

A local private school to my work, joined with us to do forest schools. Not quite sure why it all tailed off.

stealthsquiggle · 19/09/2013 15:42

How very bizarre and I would think less of both schools involved. For the private school it's monumentally clumsy marketing - they could surely come up with something that does have valid learning outcomes and some real content if they want to attract people to have a look. For your DC's school - just gobsmacked. What is in it for them or for the DC Confused?

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 19/09/2013 15:43

For the first time in my MN posting history I would say - keep him off school that day!

Saffyz · 19/09/2013 15:48

YANBU

Tailtwister · 19/09/2013 15:54

YANBU, it sounds like a really strange thing to do. The school shouldn't really be allowing it imo. Sounds like the private school as after some free advertising.

However, I would double check exactly the purpose of the visit. Private schools are expected to share their facilities with the community and have to do this to keep their charity status. Do you think this is what they're trying to do? We had a couple of fairly well known ones near us who had their knuckles wrapped recently as they hadn't been seen to do enough.

usualsuspect · 19/09/2013 16:04

Yanbu, I would my let him go and I would make sure his school knew why.

usualsuspect · 19/09/2013 16:05

Wouldn't.*

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 19/09/2013 16:07

Is it Queen Ethelburga's? Grin

forehead · 19/09/2013 16:13

Yadnbu- I would definitely not be happy with this.

puffinnuffin · 19/09/2013 16:32

Do you have Grammar Schools which don't start until 13 near you? In which it sounds like the private school might be trying to get children to join for those 2 years from 11-13? I know private schools which have done that.

mummytime · 19/09/2013 16:34

My DCs school has done something similar a few times. But normally in the summer.

A couple of times to a co-ed Public school, where activities included: swimming, horse riding, art etc. I was sad those stopped (I expect it was because hardly any children applied there). Girls have also gone to local girls schools for special days, usually hand picked "nice girls"; even though almost all of the girls choosen were definitely not going to apply to the school in question. DD1 got a nice goody bag from one.

I think its a very inefficient way to advertise to be honest. As often the children who go already know which senior school they are going to (because of siblings etc.).

I get more fed up when they are dragged to a local State secondary that we are not going to apply to, and don't have an option to opt out.

Bumpotato · 19/09/2013 17:08

I feel sorry for the kids at private school having to share their bought and paid for facilities with the proles from state school.

quoteunquote · 19/09/2013 17:18

Have they offer an alternative arrangement for those who will not be in a position to consider the school as an option?

It seems a very strange thing to do.

NatashaBee · 19/09/2013 17:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tailtwister · 19/09/2013 17:20

I think sharing facilities are a good thing overall (that's not what they are doing here though). Lots of state schools have had their playing fields sold off and if the space is there why not? I'm very in favour of making use of what we have to the best advantage. It's not a 'them and us' thing and those who think it is should take a good look at themselves. We should be looking giving all our children the best possible educational experience and if that includes making use of facilities at private schools then I'm all for it.

Saffyz · 19/09/2013 17:25

This trip sounds like boasting self-promotion by the school, not "sharing".

frankie4 · 19/09/2013 19:13

YANBU

It's probably a way the school can hold onto its "charitable"status and also some free marketing too.

maddy68 · 19/09/2013 20:21

In order fir te schools to maintain their charitable status they have to offer their resources to the community. Why wouldn't you send your children? They are being offered the facilities of the private school for free?

MistressDeeCee · 19/09/2013 20:30

YANBU at all, this is a very poorly thought out plan. Whats the point of showing the visiting children all the wonderful facilities they dont have available at their school, what about how they may feel? Young people can be sensitive about all sorts of things. I dont know..just feel theres something a bit ' cringe ' in this, wish I could think what the benefit will be for children of both schools. Is there one?

SunshineMMum · 20/09/2013 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ItsDecisionTime · 20/09/2013 10:34

I wouldn't exactly say it's horrible or hideous! Just a poor marketing strategy on the part of the private school and them trying to meet their obligation of putting state-school pupils bums on seats. A stupid way to do it though, I agree. Taking them on a science or languages day and letting them see the facilities is a nice way to achieve the same objective and they get something academically out of it.