It's a private school one.....

[Noangelbuthavingfun]

Many threads on MN ... I want to know this: why haven't Labour given any info on their modelling of what will likely happen and the different scenarios that could play out when they impose VAT? It matters - because if they get thus wrong ... and a shed load of kids leave private because their families have scrimped to send them there ... the state sector in some councils will quickly be overwhelmed with kids needing state places that does not exist....which could be a lose lose for everyone! You don't build a new school and resource it in a month.... these things take years . I feel for all kids as they will all lose out if this happens and labour having got contingency in place.
How would you feel if your child is in a good state school , perhaps they get some SEND support...and suddenly there is an influx of private kids as they need the spaces. Class sizes go up to 40, all SEND provision gets cut as not enough funds, extra curricular gets cut and teachers are even more stressed, so the vicious circle if teacher shortages now intensifies....the spiral continues for years to come. Who has won?? No one ....
What are your thoughts on this ?
I don't disagree with the principle that private is a luxury and probably should pay VAT... what I disagree with is the notion you can just implement something that will fundamentally shift things on a seismic way in one big bang. No thought whatsoever. Tell me if you agree or have a different view and why ?

State schools ask parents for money all the time.

I don't really understand the problem. If you want to live in London, do so knowing full well the facilities available. Leaving London is a valid choice, if you would prefer that. If you can afford London housing and private school you have an abundance of choices at your disposal. You are not entitled to afford everything you would prefer.
I reserve my sympathy for those families without choices.

£58 per week, per child? And it's not optional? For the school down the road because they need a new roof?

See no they don’t.

They may ask for payment for a school trip - but so would a private school. The state school isn’t allowed to make attendance dependent on payment either.

Money for Red Nose Day or to raise some money for the school - again optional.

Even the capitation payments aren’t mandatory.

As with most of your posts they aren’t grounded in reality.

Obviously giving money is not compulsory but it isn't for parents whose children are at private schools either. If you don't want to pay send your children to state schools.

You are being deliberately obtuse now.

It's not compulsory in theory but they certainly hassle parents a lot for money and you have to fill in forms explaining why you cannot pay. They don't just ask and then leave you alone.

Hahaha! How on earth would state schools be worse under Labour? Or any public service?

Are you talking about school trips? School trips aren't included in the fees, and not paying is not an option even in theory. But I think you know that you are being ridiculous.

So you think school trips happen in state schools if parents don't pay? How do you think it is funded?

You are being ridiculous, and you know it.

(My sons has one school holiday where it was included in the fees to ensure every boy got to go - just the sort of really complex point Labour is going to have to legislate around.....)

I stopped engaging with them because of it. Lots of hot air and no substance!

I'm not being ridiculous. The whole "imagine" being asked for money is ridiculous and quite cluesless. Obviously state school parents don't get asked for as much money but they are certainly asked for money and certainly not just for school trips. I used to pay but I know those who didn't would be hassled a lot for it unless the children were receiving free school meals.

Why?

I should probably stop engaging too. It's not just the money. We'll find a way of paying it. It's this whole attitude of 'You'll find the money easily.' that bothers me.

Because you would be annoyed too if people told you you could easily afford to pay another £8000 too. That's why.

My youngest DC is in state primary still and we get asked for money all the time for school fairs and events and trips and dress up days and to contribute towards loads of charities. I also obviously pay for breakfast club and after school club and 1:1 music lessons x 2 at school and chess club and netball club and the list goes on and on and contributions for cooking and seeds for gardening club. Also at grammar I pay for Lamda lessons and Latin add on and I have a direct debit to support the school (£100 a month and it’s charitable giving). Once I add up all the clubs it is probably loads. None of it compulsory but all of it to enhance DCs education.

Yes, I find the “it’s easy to find a few thousand pounds a year more” comments tedious. Many private school parents don’t have thousands of pounds of spare cash splashing around.

The school my children went to used to ask for money for other things too. Obviously a lot less than 58 pounds a week but average earning would be much much less. If you want to pay a similar amount you have the option of sending your child to a state school too.

Exactly. And if state school parents were told “well if you can afford that, you’ll be able to afford 20% more”, I’m fairly sure there’d be uproar, and rightly so.

@Kinshipug - I can’t afford private school because I had 4DC so felt like I needed a bigger house and chose state school, but we do spend a lot on enrichment and holidays no doubt. Children are really expensive these days, clubs cost a fortune and state schools constantly ask for money (and volunteers!). Luckily our state primary had a ton of lovely privileged TAs who used to have kids at the school and have a house/higher earning husband. They made a huge difference and they most definitely are not paid a living wage.

Well, if you're paying all that already, you can clearly afford another few thousand pounds, surely? 😂