Allow a play date where mum unapologetically supports children’s education tax

[GigglyOrange]

Just this really, our local independent prep school closed due to the education tax earlier this year and has caused absolute chaos for lots of families, including my own. My dd (6) has been invited for a play date with a girl she seems very friendly with and who seems very sweet, but I’ve since found out from another parent that the mum is an ‘unapologetic education taxer’. My instinct is to cancel the play date, AIBU?

Stop being so precious and self absorbed

I don't think she's going to elaborate on world view and personality type. Just as she isn't brave enough to explain why she's going to decline the play date but will be lying instead.

Surely the answer should be to level up all schools to private level so no one needs to use them, rather than try to stop people using by closing them.

Our area is a grammar one, and people tutor their children super hard as the local comp we are catchment for is so bad, with terrible behaviour and high staff turnover. I don't really agree with the grammar system and the pressure the exam process puts on young children. But we have put our views aside and paid for tutoring for our daughter to try to get her in as we feel she would struggle at the comp. This has put financial pressure on us and stress on her.

If we had a decent comp we wouldn't have even put her in for the 11+. And I think for many people the same can be said for private. There are some who put them there for the prestige, but the majority will be doing it as their local state provision doesn't work for their child, often due to SEN. The is this concept that parents of private school children are all hooray Henry's with huge inheritance, whereas many are just parents stretching themselves to do the best for their children. My brother went private for most of secondary as he was coming home black and blue most days from his state school and despite my parents asking for help, school did nothing and no other stare school places. He got a partial bursary and my mum worked a 2nd job doing nights as a healthcare assistant to pay the fees.

This has to be a wind up. My kids go to independent school. I don’t enjoy paying the VAT of course. But I can totally understand why people would support it. Especially as it was supposed to be ploughed back into the state education system.

I'm actually meeting a friend this very evening for a few drinks. They're a farmer and are unsurprisingly not keen on the new IHT rules for farmers. I think they're fair enough. Clearly we now need to end this friendship of 30 years.

God get a grip, it's VAT on school fees not an education tax. I have to pay it and actually agree with it, as do a lot of private school parents I know.

Acts of cruelty and spite against your children is not just a ‘different opinion’. Don’t be so flippant

Jesus Christ!! You sound more of a concern than she does. Absolutely batshit!

OP - did your DD attend the now-closed independent school and has had to move, OR is she state educated and her current school has had to absorb a lot of displaced children (thus increasing the strain on resources). I assume it’s the former?

Shh you don’t exist(in OP’s world).

Wasn’t that a sea water pool carved out of the rock? So still rather spartan! 🤣

You are absolutely bonkers. Having read all your posts I would now cancel the play date because I wouldn't want you near my child.

There are TONS of spaces in state schools - falling child population. Several schools in our city have closed because of lack of pupils, several have merged, and the secondaries - all rated good or outstanding , have had their intake numbers cut back.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

OP you are out of your mind and if I were your daughter’s friend’s parent I would have concerns about sending my child to your home. You seem unstable

Same here! It just causes social divides.

Stop being such a massive brat, OP.

Yeah at least 2 farmers have committed suicide over it, no big deal as long as it’s not you having your children’s future turned upside down.

I think you’ll find the majority of people in this country think VAT on private education is totally fine. Basically this is not a hill you want to start to die on because you’ll have to give it up eventually. Unless you want your child to grow up as a recluse. Saying that, I’d probably decline a playdate with a massive snob so I guess ultimately you can spend your free time how you like.

What????!! Who’s acting with spite and cruelty towards your child???? Someone, who you don’t even know, but heard via grape vine that they support some legislation? This lady hasn’t personally removed the tax brakes from your dd’s school has she?
Poor love, you are really wrapped up in YOUR OWN spite…

So obviously a troll, everyone stop engaging, you're only giving them what they want.

Enlighten us all. What ‘type of person’ supports it.

The other mum has had a stroke of luck in not having to spend time with @GigglyOrange and her DC!

You mentioned "it’s clear what type of person would support it" - it's not clear - what kind of people are these? Those that support inclusive education for the whole population?

I think the word would be 'normal'.