AIBU to worry because I can't afford to privately educate my children?

[LaydeeStardust]

I hope this makes sense-I've had wine!

We've got 4 bright and happy children,aged 4 and up.

DS2 is 14, and is apparently extremely bright and attends our local inner city state school which gets average results

Both his own school teachers and two friends who teach at different private schools have told us that he should attend a private school to give him the best possible chances in life.

One of his teachers actually said we are letting him down by not sending him to a private school

We earn too little to pay for private education ourselves so he'd have to apply for an assisted place (we both work in social services and health)

we honestly believe in the state system,but maybe we can't really say that because we don't earn enough choose?

DS2's done his own research and is now worrying that he won't be able to get into a good uni, or get a good job etc if he doesnt go to a private school....and I don't know how to reassure him!!

I'd be so interested to hear other peoples' views on this-both me and DH went to state schools then uni, but if anyone feels I'm living in cloud cuckoo land to believe that our children will achieve whatever they want without a private education please tell me!!!

Thanks in advance!!

Perhaps if your DS has his eyes on Oxbridge. I was educated at a comp and managed to complete my BA and MA at Manchester and Nottingham respectively (two Russell Group unis). The difference was that I had a single mum who told me that I should aim high. Therefore I always worked very hard. Having said that, I'm unsure if I would have had to make as much of an effort if I had gone to private school.

if your son is that worried baout his education he should work hard at any school.
this will get him good grades and a good university place. by GCSE's it is not about the teachers but about your own personally effrot. they can only help you so much, and do a great job at it!

ancient thread

As many other poster's have said, if he is determined to succeed then he will.
A couple of good teachers that inspire him will probably help, but are not essential for a great future.

My DD went to a not particularly great (at the time) inner city comp against my wishes and was one of only 29% to get 5 A-C's or more that year. She's since got her BA and MA and is currently doing a PGCE to start teaching next year as she couldn't get funding for her PhD.

Ignore that teacher, keep your son motivated and remind him that he is the only person that can keep his brain busy

On a slightly controversial note, I've witnessed/overheard more than a few condescending comments about state kids from privately educated ones in recent times- mainly teenagers. I do hope they are a minority and grow out of it, it's a very unattractive attitude imo...

Could you choose his sixth form very carefully? Where I live there are still a lot of large 6th forms attached to schools and some of the school 6th forms are competetive to get into as the pupils get great A level results and entry to good universities.

There are no catchments for school 6th forms.

Alternatively, if there are no good school 6th forms within a communtable distance, find out which are the best 6th form colleges around. I think you can find the rankings on line.