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Original poster

Jeremy Corbyn and DD

282 replies

Dressingdown1 · 28/09/2019 10:15

I am so worried about what will happen if Labour get in and implement their stated policy on closing down independent schools. It is literally keeping me awake at night worrying about what might happen to DD.

DD is in her 30s, just split from her OH and works as a teacher and housemistress at an independent school. If it is taken over by the state, she stands to lose her home (she lives in the boarding house) and possibly her job. Her school has tiny classes and a state school would need far fewer teachers for the bigger class sizes.

Of course she could come and live in our spare room if necessary, but hardly desirable for someone who has lived away from home for years.

Please tell me I am silly to be so worried!

OP posts:
vavavoomdeboom · 28/09/2019 18:41

I wasn't going to vote Labour this time round but reading this has changed my mind.

One vote for JC here!

JacquesHammer · 28/09/2019 18:42

I wasn't going to vote Labour this time round but reading this has changed my mind

Basing your vote on one alleged manifesto entry that will never happen is a bit odd isn’t it?

BertrandRussell · 28/09/2019 18:46

@Cushionsarecomfie - maybe i’m being thick. But if disadvantaged kids don’t get into the grammars we have now I don’t see how upping the numbers of grammars and high schools would help.....

Really222 · 28/09/2019 18:48

By private school assets being “democratically redistributed” what exactly do they mean? I know it won’t happen like this, but what does the above phrase actually mean. Do they intend to force buy these assets and divvy them up, and if so how will they pay for them?

I don’t agree with entrenched privilege, but surely removing the charitable status of the larger independent schools and using that money to better fund state schools is a better and fairer idea than just abolishing private schools. There would be an organic movement towards a more balanced system.

BunchMunch · 28/09/2019 18:50

This would then push up prices even more around those schools and essentially create a two tier system where some schools benefitted from a very supportive and wealthy PTA and others didn’t?

Agree with you, thunderthighs

Everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.

Cushionsarecomfie · 28/09/2019 18:52

If you have 2 jobs and 1,000 applicants then you will obviously only take the top 0.2%. If you have 200 jobs and 1,000 applicants it’s suddenly 20% of people who get that opportunity. Same applies here surely. 0.2% of an area is likely to be disproportionally advantaged. Open that out to 20% of an area and you will get a bigger cross section.

BertrandRussell · 28/09/2019 18:55

So you’re saying that you lower the entry requirements for the grammar schools?

Paintedmaypole · 28/09/2019 18:56

patroclus I think we may be in agreement about politics but your "scaretheolddears* comment is offensive. I am an "old dear" so is Lady Hale. Don't make such dismissive, ageist remarks.

Cushionsarecomfie · 28/09/2019 18:59

Not lower but if you have a wider number of grammar schools more will go. It is probable that there would be tiers between grammar schools but the point is the school would be run on a grammer system where it was based on a meritocracy.

BertrandRussell · 28/09/2019 19:04

So how do you explain the situation in my home town? As I said, virtually all the children go to one of the two schools- 23% to one-77% to the other. The pupil premium children are always in the 77%. Always.

BertrandRussell · 28/09/2019 19:05

“school would be run on a grammer system where it was based on a meritocracy.“
I think you’ll find that’s called a comprehensive...

Patroclus · 28/09/2019 19:07

their patronising 'olddears' is entirely my point and what im objecting to

Cushionsarecomfie · 28/09/2019 19:11

But it’s not. A comprehensive is in no way a meritocracy. It’s not based on ability, it’s often based on a ballot. Yes you get those that are better than others but that’s often driven by the fact that people can afford to be in that area. A grammer school is a different beast based on ability and if there were more of them more kids would benefit from a better education as there would simply be more places.

AlexaAmbidextra · 28/09/2019 19:15

I wouldn’t worry too much. Labour will still need private schools to send their own children to. I’m sure Diane Abbott can reassure you.

SmoothLawAbider · 28/09/2019 19:17

Wouldn’t an effect of this be massive house price inequality, because all of those who previously privately educated their children move house to be in the catchment for the more desirable state schools? This would then push up prices even more around those schools and essentially create a two tier system where some schools benefitted from a very supportive and wealthy PTA and others didn’t?

Well house prices would certainly skyrocket around the "better" state schools. The rich/elite would still all send their kids to the same schools (the ones in the most expensive areas), but how does the wealth of the PTA help? I presume that if private schools were banned, then private contributions/donations to schools would also be banned.

Novocastrian · 28/09/2019 19:26

Cendrillon. McDonnell has already said publicly that the motion is not viable as worded.

Keep on pretending that Labour are going to turn Eton into a state comprehensive, whatever it takes to justify in your mind voting for that racist, misogynist Johnson, eh?

MajesticWhine · 28/09/2019 19:28

Is your DD worried? Isn't this her worry more than yours?
In the face of these types of hypothetical worries, the best thing to do is to take action where possible, and then leave it and think about something else. She could work on saving for a deposit in case she needs to think about other accommodation. And keep expanding her responsibilities and skills to keep her CV looking fresh.

Trewser · 28/09/2019 19:30

Novocastrian what's the matter with you? It's right there in black and white.

OneKeyAtATime · 28/09/2019 19:36

Hrtft but if she s worried about her job, it s probably because she s not a qualified teacher and could not get a job in the state sector? Can't she just train for this? I am a bit unclear how she can't have savings on a teacher's wage if she hasnt been paying rent or a mortgage for years.

runningpram · 28/09/2019 19:37

we have a similar situation although not teachers. I would strongly advise your daughter to have a plan B and invest in a property in an area where she would stand a good chance of getting a job were the worst to happen or for retirement. She can rent it out in the meantime

madeyemoodysmum · 28/09/2019 19:40

PAH chilledbee it won’t work even if it happened. All that would happen was house prices will rocket near good schools and tutors will be even more expensive.

And nice attitude btw

Op I do t think it will happen and I do t think JC will get in. Brexit party have more chance

Novocastrian · 28/09/2019 19:52

Trewser. It doesn't matter what the conference motion said, if it's not viable it will have to be altered into something feasible.

You do understand the difference between a vague statement of intent (that wasn't even proposed by Corbyn), and a fully costed, legally sound, and realistic policy.

There's a very good reason why McDonnell has said that he can't support it as worded; because it's not remotely realistic.

Do you honestly think Corbyn is going to turn Eton into a state comp?? Reeaally?

Trewser · 28/09/2019 20:10

I think it's done it's grubby little job of sowing class hatred where there was none. Horrible, slimy little party.

CleverLoginName · 28/09/2019 20:11

Labour won't get in. Don't worry

BlackberryandNettle · 28/09/2019 20:26

Jeremy Corbyn won't get in, so relax

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