Why do people think parents who pay for private education are enormously wealthy?

[SheineOn]

Is this just the stereotype?

I went to a school that cost 18k a year (15 years ago). It’s now 24k a year.

There were wealthy people there. But also many ‘normal’ people. At least 40% fell into that category. People who lived on estates, drove modest cars, skipped holidays and ate cheaply.

They made a choice to spend their money on private education. For context, two of my closest friends have dc in private. They live off 450 a month after paying fees. They are not high earners.

Not everyone has endless wealth. Some are just happy to make the sacrifice. I find it strange people don’t seem to get that and makes me wonder how lacking in knowledge you must be to have that view of the private sector.

It’s not just being 3k out. It’s all your other posts too. Really, really out of touch with the real world.

I wonder what the percentage of under 50s home owners with a mortgage, had parents who paid the deposit. Even more so for under 40s, and 30s.

I attended state schools and got my qualifications in spite of my school and not because of it.

Fast forward and I’m a teacher who has done over a decade in state schools and now work in an indie. The difference is astonishing - not because private school kids are “posh” (some are, most aren’t) but because all parents are on board, the classes are smaller and more manageable - not necessarily for the teacher but for the children, especially the one with SEN. There is much less tech in my school compared to the state comps I taught in, the facilities are a bit shabby and we don’t have our own sports grounds. However, the opportunities are these to be taken as teachers aren’t ground down by managing poor behaviour all day so happily run clubs.

I can see why parents scrimp and save for their kids to have this education rather than the local comp. I respect them for their sacrifices. Of course they have to be earning more than an average wage but they are also saving the government thousands by not taking a state school place.

I understand the prejudice and bigotry people have towards private schools as it’s a lack of understanding. I’ll be honest and say before I taught in indie I thought it would be full of very posh kids with entitled attitudes. It’s not like that and I feel sad for parents who are doing their best for their kids and being judged so harshly for their choices.

What future do state educated children not have ?

Less than 6% of children in the UK are privately educated I would bet heavily most of their parents fall into the top 10% of earners. Loads of rich people see those on £80k a year as the squeezed middle and have a warped view of wealth and are totally out of touch of actual median average salaries and household incomes. This thread is quite evident of that 😆

Im on a low wage.

My son was in private from Yr9 until this summer when he leaves next month in yr 13. I saw a thread on here back when he was in yr 8 about how a lady had put 3 kids through private on 19K salary a year or similar.

Bursaries and scholarships.
plus as he got/gets DLA/PIP that goes towards it, as was possibly the best thing for his mental health and executive functioning to be in a tiny school where nobody bullied him and he isnt anxious and unable to learn. Plus maintanance from his father goes to it. Plus a top-up from granny. We have not had a holiday in all that time, and have made cuts elsewhere too.

Not everyone is wealthy. Although I agree in principle with VAT on fees, as yes, it IS a luxury, I doubt I could have afforded a 20% hike. It has been transformational for my son though and given him confidence to move on into higher education

But perhaps actually know your stuff before taking part in the discussion.

@SheineOn

The hilarity of you telling someone they should know their stuff whilst you simultaneously know exactly nothing about the real world is off the scale!

Well that added nothing to the discussion. It's almost like you don't want to hear any dissenting views 🥱

@Wishihadanalgorithm Thank you for your post.

And many grandparents pay for ps school fees, or part of.

Oh I have answered the wrong poster sorry.

Absolutely bloody ridiculous, how many posts there are by people who apparently use private schools on here. For the millionth time..If you can afford private school, yes I see you as wealthy. Most people don’t have a spare £18,000 + a year knocking around. If you don’t understand that then you are very ignorant.

@DanielGault you’ve said you’ve never stepped foot in a private school. Really, genuinely, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Go and look round one.

OP, are you thick? Or just really naive?

Your BIL earns £44k and pays £19k in school fees. Apparently he had a hefty deposit so small outgoings. OK, cool. Do you not see how that means he is completely privileged?! Whilst I don’t believe a word you’ve said as it’s bullshit, even if true, it’s still impossible for the majority to do this. I don’t understand how anyone can be so dense.

Do you not realise people can’t afford basic food? Heating? Children die from malnutrition in one of the richest countries in the world? And you’re arguing that because your brother can pay it on £44k, everyone else is wrong?

Also, just to exemplify how dumb your argument is, if I won the lottery and had £10m, but liked working so did a PT job for £20k a year, then sent my kids to private, I do not help your argument but you would say I do. You boggle my mind.

I am also wealthy and would not send my children to private but couldn’t give two shits if anyone does. You make people want VAT on privates!

An attitude like the OP’s 😂

Of course you have to be relatively wealthy to afford private schooling, at least for more than one child. Two children would be, using your example above, 48k. That would necessitate a pre tax income of around 75k just on school fees. Never mind housing, utility bills, food, transport, essential clothes, uniform, school, trips, etc. You would need a household income of well over 100k to afford this, probably much more considering housing costs.

I think you are deliberately leaving out lots of information when quoting these examples such as inheritances, living with parents to save large housing deposits, parents actually paying a lot of expenses. It is simply untrue that you can be 'frugal' and not go on holiday or have a lot of clothes and be able to conjure up 48k of school fees.

Are you going to acknowledge this, OP?

What are you trying to say?

It just does not make sense at all,!! Are you sure you've not missed a word or two?

‘I feel sad for parents who are doing their best for their kids and being judged so harshly for their choices.’

oh me too, nothing makes me weep more than the plight of wealthy parents being judged for having 💰

I don’t think the state system is failing, I think the state system has been failed. I think lots and lots of children get a wonderful education in state schools. Some do not for myriad reasons, not least the appalling funding situation. Never forget why the ‘Free School’ system came into being. I take my hat off to teachers, headteachers and support staff in the state system.

A lot! What a strange and ignorant statement

18% to be precise:

Poor kids.

Is there really a need to be this rude though?

' I saw a thread on here back when he was in yr 8 about how a lady had put 3 kids through private on 19K salary a year or similar.'

Well she obviously wasn't paying the fees was she? Someone else was.

@fungipie I don’t know anyone who didn’t have help but I am a Londoner so very hard without it.