To think State education is really poor?

[Boswelian]

We sent our eldest to a taster day at a private school. He was agog. His school don't allow playing on the grass when it's wet. The private school change them into waterproofs and wellies for break. PE 3x a week. Sport every day. Dedicated specialist teaching in art, DT, languages, sciences etc. 16 in a class instead of 30. The difference in the quality of life between the two school has really blown my mind. The state school is "outstanding". The private school reckon DS is 2 years behind their curriculum. We've been told in state that he's meeting expectations. How is this remotely acceptable?

Well yes actually it is. Every time fees are paid it will be the cost of fee + 20%
Fees go up yearly so every year it will be cost of fees + 20% VAT.

My kids state school is great and all came out with top grades. Obviously they didn’t do PE 3 times a week or change into wellies but then again I didn’t spent a few hundred grand on it either

It’s not really about results, state schools can achieve the same, it’s about opportunities.

Actually it is about having calm and peaceful learning environments which are conducive to learning, getting physical exercise outdoors all year round and having a much broader range of subjects so that DC can find their passion. Oh and freedom from the god awful national curriculum

You were lucky to live near a good state school then.

I don’t have that luxury so have to spend 250k to receive a decent education for my DS, something which you received for free.

Remind me again why it is me who should be paying more tax?

@Charlie2121 "You were lucky to live near a good state school then"

Most people do. Despite briefing to the contrary.

I haven't RTFT but felt I should just say the following. When people say that those choosing private education are hoping to buy grades and I say that isn't always the case the very examples given in the first opening post are precisely why some do chose to spend their money on private education.

Well yes. I meant opportunities for all of the extra curricular stuff they do, options to do things they just wouldn’t do at a state school. Music sports arts so much of it all.

Not true. Not true at all.

That is not a 20% increase each year.

And many state school parents have those resources too. The majority of grammar school DC are from MC backgrounds, state primary or not.

And most of the country doesn't have the privilege of choosing to pay school fees 🙄

Stop being ridiculous / pedantic.

Pp said yearly fee rise +20% VAT. which it will be if Labour introduce their equally ridiculous policy.

I think it depends on the state school. DH went to a private school and most of his school friends are wankers. BILs went to private school and hated it. One is now a forklift driver and the other a recovering drug addict.

my siblings and I went to state school, albeit one in a nice area, and have achieved what we wanted. One is a doctor, one a professional dancer and one a research scientist. Most of our friends from school have similar professional jobs, run businesses, my sisters friend is a pilot.

we were always encouraged to work hard and take opportunities that come our way. We did so much extra curricular stuff, and that gave us a wider group of friends.

I don’t think it’s as simple as private vs state… it’s what’s the right place for the child, and massively to do with the involvement and attitudes of the parents

Our state school is absolutely wonderful. My son is - at this very moment- doing a zoom GCSE revision lesson. The same teacher also delivered one on Sunday morning for two hours. Other teachers have been running lunchtime and afterschool tuition sessions for weeks.

As previous posters have said, the private sector does not deal with the majority of the problems that the public sector does.

I am very impressed by the dedication and attitude of my sons’ teachers - and very glad that I’m not spending ££££ a year for it.

@twistyizzy "Except most of the country doesn't have the privilege of living in grammar areas "

Most people who live in grammar areas don't have the "privilege" of a grammar school education either!

Of course it is.

Not sure how to spell this out;
Every.year.we.will.have.to.pay.20%.on.top.of.the fees.

In fact this will be over 20% each year.

But they have the opportunity

Is this really a question? The amount of teacher trolling on here should give you a hint. State schools have no money and no staff. Privates do. Bingo

But they have the opportunity

Not really. Many kids have not a hope in hell of paying the exam. That's like saying everyone has the opportunity to go to a private school, while ignoring that most people could never afford it.

Well no I’ve lived in an expensive area and sacrificed buying a house so my kids could attend great school. No luck involved. Surely you can move cheaper than 250k? I am a higher rate tax payer and you have free choice to move

@twistyizzy "But they have the opportunity"

No they don t. If you think they do, you really don't understand how the system works.

Oh I do understand. I was grammar educated. We all got to sit the 11+. The problem now is parents using tutors.
We will never agree on our views about education. I believe the 1 size fits all doesn't work and fails more than it supports therefore we need more choice, not less.

In our area it would cost £150k+ to move to catchment of good state school Vs 75K for years 7-11 of private.
We love our village and location so to us it is a no brainer.

@twistyizzy "The problem now is parents using tutors."

No it's not. The problem is that the exam is geared to middle class children.

I don't believe in one size fits all either. Which is why I believe in proper comprehensives.