How many kids have left the school? (VAT)

[limeandwater]

It's been long enough now that I think we can make a reasonable conclusion on how bad it has hurt school.

To be honest at our school I only know 3 pupils that have left because of the VAT so not as bad as many feared.

Still heartbreaking for the kids though.

That's not a state schools problem, sadly many private schools have serious issues with bullying too.

Sorry, but come on. Every single thread on this topic includes incredibly offensive statements about entitled little Tabithas and Tarquins, precious darlings, unqualified teachers in independents which is very rarely the case these days. Sometimes really vile, nasty things about children. Of course many kids thrive and fo brilliantly in many state schools, but that doesn't mean what I posted upthread is untrue.

I've worked in both sectors. No statement is true for any total sector. Some schools, some teachers, are shit. Some kids are entitled, some are bullying thugs...across both sectors. Anecdotal comments are just that and prove no universal truth.

Our prep school numbers have gone up by about 20%. We've recruited a large proportion of dcs from another local prep which closed. Also quite a few families returning from the ME, and US expats who dislike the political climate there. My youngest is in the nursery and there is a high number of baby siblings born this year (girl siblings tend to enrol in the same school) - a localised trend, as onlies and declining birth rates are the norm here (inner London).

State school acceptances have gone up this year amongst the Year 6 leavers - most dcs still continue to independent schools but this year there have been 35% rather than 25%ish going to state schools (grammars and top comps). In the past pupils would generally still opt for a top indie rather than a grammar if getting offers from both, as facilities and class sizes are better, but that seems to be changing.
So there is definitely a pressure on places in the top state schools.

Anything like that on this thread? I must have missed it.

@RhaenysRocks You said yourself “One of the things I love about teaching in the private sector is that it’s not uncool to be clever, to be aspirational or to be a little quirky and different.” Which certainly suggests that could not happen in a state school…..

Anything like that on this thread? I must have missed it
@CurlewKate

Just because you haven’t seen any on this thread doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. You are on every single thread about private v state, so you must have seen the numerous sneers and jibes at privately educated children.
I agree it’s certainly not acceptable to sneer at state educated children - so why is it acceptable to do the same to those who go to private schools?

No, you've read too much into it. I'm not saying its impossible for that to be true at state but again, anecdotally, it has been my experience both personally and from 30 years of teaching that this CAN happen and frequently does. I currently teach least half a dozen who came to my school after being bullied in state comps for this reason. And yes, there have been comments on this thread, not quite as nasty as some but the general theme has been there. I'm not scrolling back to find them but it would be disingenuous for you to deny that its not an incredibly common thing.

Sounds like people have a difference of opinion on educating their own children. Not surprising and not really a problem. The problem is with those who want to close off options they don’t agree with for other children. That’s a big problem in my view.

You disagree that bullying happens in private schools? That's fact by the way, not opinion.

Interesting that you are concerned about 'closing off options' when, Surely, that is just what private schools are to the vast majority anyway.

How vast is your experience? how many schools, how many children?

In my experience bullying does happen in private schools, but cases are tackled immediately and very effectively, up to exclusion, no matter how attractive parent's valet is.

Not sure how you got that from the post you quoted. Noone woth a brain would suggest any school is free of bullying but it is true that pri ate schools can and usually do deal with it more easily..again, anecdotal and Im sure they'll be examples of that not being the case, but in 1000+ comps it is harder to keep tabs.

Many schools, vast experience. Different types of bullying I'd say, but bullying nonetheless. Private schools are also more likely to turn a blind eye depending on the child/money. I've seen that on too many occasions.

See i would disagree with that. In my personal and professional experience. Neither of us are wrong.

Fair enough, I am quite happy to agree to disagree. I also have professional and personal experience and we all see what we see.

My personal experience in a private secondary was particularly nasty. The bully was wealthy and the family lived in a converted castle. Despite making my life a misery, and eventually even hitting me in the head with a hockey stick, she was let off with a mild warning. Anyone with less money and influenxe would have been expelled. I do think this perhaps means I notice and am particularly alert to this type of thing.

No of course I don’t disagree bullying happens in private schools. If private schools aren’t the choice for your children because of bullying or any other reason, absolutely fine. If somebody declines the state funded option and pays for their own children’s education because they think they’d get bullied at state, also absolutely fine. Don’t let yourself get dragged down into trying to limit education options by cheap identity politics, just concentrate on your own eduction choices. You may want that extra choice yourself one day.

I may well as I have nothing against either type of school. If I do, I will happily pay the tax as I feel it makes sense and is fair.

You may well think that taxing children’s education makes sense and is fair, I’d strongly disagree but it’s pointless to argue over it. It’s is however a fact that taxing education will shrink the sector and reduce education options, I can’t see why that would ever be a good thing. You say you will happily pay the tax, but you may well find that if the time came where you needed that option for a child for some reason, that all the independent schools in your area have closed down and been turned into flats.

I would happily pay it if I could see any evidence that it was being ploughed into state but we know it isn't. Also if it had been introduced at next point of entry so children weren't disrupted mid stage. That would have gone a long way to meet the criticism of it being spiteful idealism.

The bully was wealthy and the family lived in a converted castle.

What’s a ‘converted castle’?

It was a very old castle that had fallen into ruin and been made liveable again, but was made really modern. I suppose more rebuilt and modernised than fully converted. It was a big deal in the local newspapers at the time

@MissingSockDetective thank you for answering my question.

You're very welcome, it was pretty stunning to be fair.

https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/bridget-phillipson-we-dont-know-why-british-children-are-some-of-the-unhappiest

Oh dear, oh dear. I think I have the rage after reading that!
Music and drama love? How are you going to fund it?
Do you really think cheap independent schools doing that were raking it in? Have any of these politicians actually got basic statistics skills and can do a spreadsheet and work out costs?

The Labour Party are completely and utterly confused between pushing kids towards STEM at all cost, and a bit of music and drama! And community feel.

And hence I am feeling the menopausal rage at 200 per cent after reading that.

Perhaps she should just focus on regulating vet costs for all and steer well clear of EVERYONE’s children!

No not easily offended. Pointing out that kids can do well in state schools. Sorry yours wasn't able to.

I have also found the teaching and pastoral care to be very good, perhaps I'm defensive that there is rudeness towards the teachers from some difficult parents (not saying you are).

Different kids can do well in different schools, there’s no one right school or one size fits all. It’s best to concentrate on the best education options for your own children, and try not to think so much about attempting to block other parents choices.