to think that State Schools must be shit. . .

[GraceyDoorknob]

. . .Otherwise people wouldn't pay for Private?

Some really nasty and judgemental comments on this thread...

Some state schools are beyond shit with persistant bullying, drug abuse/dealing, gang violence and general anti social behaviour (using certain state schools near my area as an example)

Generally, private schools are big on discipline unlike the state ones who are terrified to say boo to a goose! So the children tend to behave better and have more respect and the quality of teaching is usually better.

Avoid people with disabilities?! Full of stuck up pretentious kids?!

Evidently some posters have never met a privately educated person/parent who decides to go down that route!

True. Imagine if the same level of nastiness were directed at parents of state school children. Can't be bothered to save, wouldn't fit in anyway etc etc. Can you imagine?

I was joking ..clearly attending a state school equips you with a sense of humour, as well as a drug habit

My friend is fuming at the difference academically between my kids and many of their peers and hers but still won't pull them out. The main reason for this is as she freely admits is the local small council estate that is in the school catchment area.

I have friends also more than capable of paying private fees who choose to send their dc to said state school.

It's very sad as not only do my kids get a far better education but they'll also grow up being able to get on and make friends with all sections of society. Hers are getting neither and she's paying for it. They do get to wear nice plaid skirts though

I am aware I am lucky though re our local school and sadly not everybody is. As a parent I'd still far rather put the money towards a smaller house in the catchment of a good/outstanding state school than pay for an average private school. I think teachers who pull off good results in a mixed catchment state school 9 times out of 10 are the top of the tree re teaching ability.

I'm aware this policy isn't fair though as many parents can't simply buy their way into a good school catchment area.

I'm not being nasty, so much as stating my opinion based on what I have observed over the years.

If you don't like it, present evidence to the contrary.

For the record, I know quite a few privately educated people.

You need to look at your local state school. It might be a complete waste of money to pay out for something that might not be as good.

And so the nasty, judgemental, smart arse comments from some prejudiced posters continue..

Sigh.

What, like the names and addresses of PS parents who aren't neurotic?

MilaMae, I'd agree with you that teachers in mixed catchment state schools who get good results probably are amongst the best in their profession and I'd say the same about the students. If I were an employer or a university looking at a student from the local comp and a student from a private school and they had the same grades, I'd choose the state school pupil every time because they've almost certainly had to work a lot harder and overcome more obstacles to their success at school.

I was privately educated and wouldn't dream of sending my DC to a private school. It gives most children an overweening sense of entitlement which doesn't do them any favours when they leave home.

Bonsoir, first class is even better when you've only paid for a standard class ticket

tethersend!!

I went to a state school. It was shit in that there was bullying, drug dealers beating kid up in the corridor one time (really), lots of disruptive pupils and unsupportive parents BUT I still went to a very good University which has a history of being pretty elitist tbh. I still ended up sitting next to kids from Eton and elsewhere and I still ended up getting the same degree as them so who cares what the school was like - I enjoyed it mostly and it got me where I wanted to go because I worked hard.

Dh went to private school and never had chairs thrown at pupils, as in my state. Always a hidden bonus.

Nor the drugs and went to Oxbridge and that.

God! No you are right! I must sell my kidneys at once to finance my DC' private schooling. How could I be so blind?

It is well known among my teens and friends that 'the posher the school the harder the drugs'-born out by someone that I know who teaches in a private school- where some parents give £200 a week pocket money because they feel guilty at the lack of time they give. What DC needs that amount of money?

Kidneys wouldn't run to it. Isn't the going rate about 25,000 per organ?

Though you could move back into state in time to get the positive discriminatino for uni

hmmm ponder ponder

Its those poor people you see, they just clutter up the place and get above themselves.

If only state schools were more selective and just didn't bother attempting to educate the ferals, we all know secretly they are not up to it, so why waste everyone's time?

saves the posh kids cluttering up the state schools with their demands for competitive sport and being moved up reading grades out of turn

anyway if they get better grades it can't be because children of richer parents are more intelligent than children of less well off parents

one hopes that no one could possibly suggest such a thing

Another disappearing OP....I think they are all my namesake's twatty twat face mates.