To think people have the wrong idea about the reason parents use private schools?

[ewloan]

I have found this from threads and in real life, whenever private school comes up there’s this attitude that it’s about ‘buying results’ or ‘if your child is academic they will do well anywhere.’

Do people not realise that most people who send their kids to private school actually don’t need to be thinking about exam results as the main factor? These are people who often own businesses and have huge family wealth so their child’s exam results are not the be all and end all. The main reason people use private schools is for the entirely different experience for the child, for them to enjoy school and learning in small classes with lots of amenities and focus on their development. Why do people seem to think the main reason is to ‘buy an exam result’?

"beyond the actual outcome it's still a fair policy"??? So if it actually ends up costing the state sector more, disadvantaging both the private and state, that's ok because it's fair?? That had to be the most crazy thing I've read for a while. Absolutely the epitome of "stick it to "the rich"" . I don't think a safe nurturing environment in which to learn is a luxury. In my situation, I have had to pay fees to get that. I'm not the only one. I suppose you could argue I should move to a better catchment instead, but as has been rehearsed many times over, that's basically the same thing. Using wealth to buy advantage. But apparently that's ok.

Posters who bang on about how their state school is fabulous and a rival in every way to private are at that school due to wealth. And they'll have an asset to pass on to their kids and perpetuate the inequality further. When mine finish school I'll probably downsize to clear my debt. They won't be inheriting much at all, but they'll have had a safe and non traumatic 5 years growing up. Apparently that's a luxury though and parents like me are selfish arseholes. Ok then.

How is “learning in small classes with lots of amenities and focus on their development” different to advancing academic results?

I enjoyed my state school perfectly fine and did extremely well academically. I imagine some of my peers would have done academically better in the environment you describe. I doubt they’d have done better in many other regards as my friends are all relatively well rounded contributing members of society.

You can't compare state schools now to ones in the 90s/early 2000s, they are a completely different kettle of fish.

And that's lovely for you and your friends. Well done you. Not all kids are NT and academically able, or socially confident. They can be extremely vulnerable in large comps with a long list of unmet needs but nowhere near qualifying for an EHCP. The small groups and nurturing environment my kids' school provides keeps them safe and mentally well. I really don't care about academic success so long as those two things are achieved. That's not to say noone does and I've no doubt people rightly or wrongly think private will give that advantage. But not all private schools and parents and kids are the same and this policy will affect the most vulnerable most of all.

@BibbleandSqwauk "But not all private schools and parents and kids are the same and this policy will affect the most vulnerable most of all."

Why? The schools will still be there. There will just be a bit more money in the system to help other, even more vulnerable kids.

People send their kids to private school because they perceive it will buy them an advantage. Whether that advantage is better exam grades, smaller classes, better facilities doesn't matter. The bottom line is they believe their child will be better off somehow than if they were in a state school. End of.

I would imagine many kids are better off in private schools to be fair!

I work in state schools. Your derogatory comments about state schools and the children and parents who have no choice but to use them are horrific op.

You have the privilege to not choose them. Most people don't have that choice.

Give state schools the funding they deserve.

I work in a niche area of finance and think this policy will raise money. The money that it will raise is totally irrelevant though as it is so minuscule it’s a rounding error, as what schools need is proper investment.

Every single teaching thread on here is filled with current and ex teachers talking about how much they hate their job:

violent and disruptive students
unsupportive parents
unchallenged disrespect

verbal abuse
destruction of property
theft
bullying by SLT
lack of facilities
despondent, burnt out teachers
poor discipline

I’ve read many threads where teachers have had or at about to have nervous breakdowns, are desperate to quit and/or sobbing at the idea of having to go into work

why on earth would anyone would voluntarily send their DC into an environment that breaks adult professionals is beyond me.

My DCs schools are no problem free but so far my 4 DC have done a combined 50+ years of education across several schools. They’ve not so much had a disruption in class let alone witnessed a physical assault on a member of staff. teacher student relationships are excellent, facilities and opportunities second to none. Parents are supportive, pastoral care is naturing, respect and discipline expected and achieved as a matter of course.

teachers support extracurriculars and grow genuine interest and passion in their own areas of expertise.

that’s what we pay for.

I completely agree. I just don't agree that this policy is the way to do it. @CurlewKate again...I agree the gov should be funding all schools properly, but this isn't going to do that and will only affect those on the margins of being able to afford it. It's really easy to talk about this in the abstract but when you can put names and faces to real children, often quite vulnerable or ND, who may have to leave their secure and familiar environment, friends and staff who know them as a consequence of it, knowing it's going to make not one jot of difference to the situation in state, it's pretty hard to swallow.

I agree that this policy isn't the way to achieve better funding in private schools. I see them as separate issues.

I'm just finding the ops constant 'don't you want state schools to be better?' really galling, as if state school parents don't want the best possible for their children.

I'll tell you why mine went.
We lived in an affluent area of SW London. We applied to the four nearest schools - all excellent. Didn't get into any due to oversubscription. My child was offered a 'adequate' school half way across the borough. We could afford private do the de ision was made to send him to what was considered a quite alternative school (they dud t have computers for one thing). Anyway my DD followed. Then when I moved after being widowed the primary schools were ok, but secondary poor do I continued. I'm happy I did, but I couldn't afford the VAT increase now so glad they are out.

I don't think parents use private schools to buy exam results.

They use them for the following reasons:

(a) to avoid plebs
(b) for smaller class sizes
(c) because their child has SEN which can be better looked after by a private school
(d) for the sport
(e) for connections with some schools
(f) because they want to

@parkrun500club if you substitute "plebs" for "violent thugs who made my DSs life a living hell" then you're right. I'd be failing as a parent if I hadn't moved him. By labelling it "plebs" you are scribing a level of snobbery that isn't necessarily present.

Pissing myself laughing that people genuinely think an ordinary private school “buys contacts” that helps people get ahead. My dh went to a fairly well known private school then oxbridge and has not once been able to use a “contact” to get a job or any other advantage whatsoever. He did have a nice time though, taught by teachers who were happy and supported and in a calm environment.

So that’s the privilege we’ve bought for our children: happy, well supported and resourced teachers, calm non violent environment, and amazing sport and music. Never once crossed our minds that we were buying exam grades or “contacts”. The local grammar school has better grades.

@BibbleandSqwauk There is no issue with moving your child to a different school. The issue is with the assumption that a private school will automatically be better.

And I am very firmly in the private school demographic. Many people I know would not use the word plebs. Because they don't say the quiet bit out loud.

And I am very firmly in the private school demographic. Many people I know would not use the word plebs. Because they don't say the quiet bit out loud

Until recently. Some very unpleasant people out there it seems now they've had their cage rattled. Kept it well hidden before...

Not necessarily, most indy schools operate on tight margins so we will see more closing. The big public schools will be fine.

I don't think it isbuying results ( in our area grammars get far higher results) it is all about contacts

@twistyizzy ,

‘Not necessarily, most indy schools operate on tight margins so we will see more closing. The big public schools will be fine.’

Honestly, if state schools can manage on £7k per annum, a private school (even a cheap one) can manage on twice that amount.

They are on tight margins due to costs. They can easily reduce costs.

Yes, teachers and staff. And no, state schools can't cope on 7K, that's why state education is in the mess it's in.

@twistyizzy ,

They will work teachers harder (less non contact time), reduce overbloated SLT, might have to reduce marketing, slightly larger class sizes (but still in the 20s).

If VAT costs them 15%, they will just have to manage on 175% of a state school budget.

I work in education. I've been a school governor for over 8 years at primary and secondary. I also run a club for young people which averages 50 attendees every week. I cannot do anymore in my local community to make it better for everyone but that is not enough to make it better for my son at an individual level.

@twistyizzy "
Not necessarily, most indy schools operate on tight margins so we will see more closing. The big public schools will be fine."

I dinner understand why private schools can't just cut back a bit. State schools have been doing it for years....