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AIBU?

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AIBU to discuss A level success without private school spending?

1000 replies

Absorbthecost · 14/08/2026 10:32

Parents/carers who have not spent a penny on Educating their children and they have just received great A level results.

The sacrifices made all the struggle,

I’m interested to discuss families where the child has succeeded without need for private school

https://www.gbnews.com/money/private-school-fees-soar-vat

https://www.ft.com/content/091b214d-231b-414a-8f3e-9ef9fc021926?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Those who did pay,

presumably to secure great results at A level

The same kids off to Uni, placements easier to secure as less international competition. Uni the playing field evens.

And now time to pay for Uni,

https://inews.co.uk/news/education/university-tuition-fees-11000-2030-4705197?srsltid=AfmBOorss52PSHD6xJzisWMdeNxcXDen3IrCGS49nnGH1ZyDnmvTOh_k

A child who did outstanding (without spending a penny) the same result as a family who spent £250k + The above article is a low estimation for a selective U.K. day/ boarding.

The kids holding the same result off to the same Uni, How are families feeling!?…. Did you save to help towards the Uni Fees/accomodation.

Private school fees soar to £216,000 amid VAT raid

A private day school education from reception to A-levels now costs an average of £216,189

https://www.gbnews.com/money/private-school-fees-soar-vat

OP posts:
Thread gallery
34
strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:05

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 14:00

Prime example,

These are the stereotypical “independent educated” fools who pass judgement on wider society. Narrow minded, preconceived notions. Entirely outdated in today’s society.

Not two pennies to rub together believing they are entitled to private school as only that will do for them (without the funds to pay for it). You are the “private school” stereotype the rest of society and the Labour government cannot wait to see taken back down to reality.

And yet I gave my time freely to help someone who might not know what was needed to navigate education for their children in the UK.

Who benefits from encouraging British society to tear itself apart?

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 14:06

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:01

'Daycare' as well.

It's the missed words which are the biggest giveaway though.

Or the fact this topic has been wild.

Im sure many families who read without commenting, passive sitting with their kids fantastic grades off Uni shopping all having a good Sunday afternoon giggle.

My phone pings, I get an alert.

I type fast my phone predicts most words.

Its not that deep.

Again,

The more activity the more families get to think, research prior to making investment.

OP posts:
WhyDontILearn · 16/08/2026 14:06

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 14:02

Well look at you honey,

A*

All those hours your parents spent on those intrusive bursary applications paid off!

Are you malfunctioning?
What are you talking about?

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:10

WhyDontILearn · 16/08/2026 14:06

Are you malfunctioning?
What are you talking about?

'honey' as well. Definitely an American influence on the language.

Does seem like a human in the loop this time though.

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 14:11

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:05

And yet I gave my time freely to help someone who might not know what was needed to navigate education for their children in the UK.

Who benefits from encouraging British society to tear itself apart?

Encouraging the Labour government do allocated those funds and the billions to come where they said they would. I want the government to read this and I want every family considering private education to research and not be fooled by the vampires or parasites waiting to attach themselves to your family funds, Parasites who will increase fee annually and take whatever they can get from you (to meet their own needs). 1/3 on internal benefits so far. You pay for you and you pay for them. Budget for that.

OP posts:
strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:12

'research prior to making investment' definitely has the feel of a different language pattern.

WhyDontILearn · 16/08/2026 14:14

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:12

'research prior to making investment' definitely has the feel of a different language pattern.

Agreed

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 14:18

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:12

'research prior to making investment' definitely has the feel of a different language pattern.

It doesn’t matter what you feel or you assume.

This, you are the very stereotype of everything people take issue with.

To me you sound like some old English teacher, revelling in your academia, arrogant, obnoxious.

If only that academia and that flawless grasp of the English language paid well, or paid enough so that you could afford to educate your own children. (Sighs!) I am, of course, too “British” to judge you or make assumptions.

OP posts:
Lovetoplan · 16/08/2026 14:23

Everyone has to do their own research before they buy anything. Private schools are very different from each other so I wouldn't put them all into the same category. Quite a few overseas families choose a British private education and that is good for the reputation of the UK. I am in favour of choice and of keeping the system, as. Some people have said state schools can also be very good. It's like private medicine and the NHS - it's OK to have both. Some families will not be able to afford the private options but all will get education and health which seems reasonable. And those that choose to pay and not consume the public services are effectively subsidising those who cannot or choose not to.

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 14:29

WhyDontILearn · 16/08/2026 14:06

Are you malfunctioning?
What are you talking about?

I’m trying to eat my sticky toffee pudding,

All these alerts!

I keep trying to leave, I’ve made up my mind.

You keep making the thread relevant and active.

Time will tell. Let’s see what happens this academic year….

OP posts:
strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:32

I'm so intrigued OP. How does it work?

Have you been given a specific topic to dig at, or is the remit wider?

Have you trained a language model to give you guidance on typical responses (maybe even trained on here?) or have you just immersed yourself and are using it only for translation? If you've managed this without a human-in-the-loop, I'm very impressed!

If only you would do an AMA!

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 14:33

'sticky toffee pudding' really is jumping the shark 😂

throwaway3749574 · 16/08/2026 14:33

Depends on the child and on your state school options.
my dd just got A star, A star, A (plus A star in EPQ) and is off to Oxford from her non selective state school (sixth form is a bit select e) . But I’m aware we live in a naice area with access to a great school. And she probably would have been fine anywhere.
when she was younger I wondered if we were doing her a disservice by not going private but academically it could not have worked out better.
Socially, who knows but she said she’s glad to have mixed with different types of people.

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:00

throwaway3749574 · 16/08/2026 14:33

Depends on the child and on your state school options.
my dd just got A star, A star, A (plus A star in EPQ) and is off to Oxford from her non selective state school (sixth form is a bit select e) . But I’m aware we live in a naice area with access to a great school. And she probably would have been fine anywhere.
when she was younger I wondered if we were doing her a disservice by not going private but academically it could not have worked out better.
Socially, who knows but she said she’s glad to have mixed with different types of people.

I’m wondering if I’m doing my child a disservice by paying his full fees plus annual increase (to fund that old dears, dependents, private education @strawberrybubblegum )

Instead id prefer to find a great state alternative which would enable me to increase my charitable donation to The Donkey Sanctuary.

OP posts:
strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:08

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:00

I’m wondering if I’m doing my child a disservice by paying his full fees plus annual increase (to fund that old dears, dependents, private education @strawberrybubblegum )

Instead id prefer to find a great state alternative which would enable me to increase my charitable donation to The Donkey Sanctuary.

This can't be fully automated 😂

Do you get a suggested response and change it? Pleeeaaasse tell us. I think you owe us for the feedback we're giving you.

SwirlyGates · 16/08/2026 15:08

throwaway3749574 · 16/08/2026 14:33

Depends on the child and on your state school options.
my dd just got A star, A star, A (plus A star in EPQ) and is off to Oxford from her non selective state school (sixth form is a bit select e) . But I’m aware we live in a naice area with access to a great school. And she probably would have been fine anywhere.
when she was younger I wondered if we were doing her a disservice by not going private but academically it could not have worked out better.
Socially, who knows but she said she’s glad to have mixed with different types of people.

If you're in a nice area with a great school, how many types of people did she mix with? Were there children of drug addicts? Social dropouts? Violent pupils? Kids with parents in prison? Not many I'll bet.

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:11

There's a consistent lack of punctuation too. Is that deliberate - a chosen style? Or is there a translation limitation you're working around?

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:16

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:11

There's a consistent lack of punctuation too. Is that deliberate - a chosen style? Or is there a translation limitation you're working around?

Edited

Judgemental …. I’m sure there is a section on mums net dedicated to benefits. I’m considering starting a brand new thread over there. Families on benefits in independent schools (1/3).

Labour have humbled you. Accept it and move on.

One does not type as they’d write.

Not many pour over their devices. Most are multitasking whilst responding.

How old are you? 🦕

OP posts:
strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:23

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:16

Judgemental …. I’m sure there is a section on mums net dedicated to benefits. I’m considering starting a brand new thread over there. Families on benefits in independent schools (1/3).

Labour have humbled you. Accept it and move on.

One does not type as they’d write.

Not many pour over their devices. Most are multitasking whilst responding.

How old are you? 🦕

Edited

Old enough to have a child at private school.

How old are you? 🤖

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:25

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:23

Old enough to have a child at private school.

How old are you? 🤖

Old enough to subsidise your child at private school.

OP posts:
strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:30

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:25

Old enough to subsidise your child at private school.

Hmm... I don't think so.
How old are you really?

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:40

strawberrybubblegum · 16/08/2026 15:30

Hmm... I don't think so.
How old are you really?

You don’t need me to damage the image of “private school” or those in attendance.

You have done a wonderful job by just being you. Bravo! Obnoxious.

There’s no bot, sorry to disappoint (your fantasy) it’s just another human with a different perspective to yours offering some facts. These facts provided by the CEO of all private schools in the U.K. (1/3) in receipt of internal benefits set to increase along with the annual Fees.

Value for money? Time will tell…..

OP posts:
Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:42

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:40

You don’t need me to damage the image of “private school” or those in attendance.

You have done a wonderful job by just being you. Bravo! Obnoxious.

There’s no bot, sorry to disappoint (your fantasy) it’s just another human with a different perspective to yours offering some facts. These facts provided by the CEO of all private schools in the U.K. (1/3) in receipt of internal benefits set to increase along with the annual Fees.

Value for money? Time will tell…..

1/3

AIBU to discuss A level success without private school spending?
OP posts:
WhyDontILearn · 16/08/2026 15:42

Are u drunk?

Absorbthecost · 16/08/2026 15:44

WhyDontILearn · 16/08/2026 15:42

Are u drunk?

Another wonderful example.

Oh how the “mighty” have fallen.

OP posts:
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