Private schools will not have testing funded

[DrizzleandDamp]

Not sure where I sit on this one, state schools are obviously having the lateral flow tests funded by government.

Private schools have been told no funding, no help with extra staffing, ultimately a cost of around 12 extra members of staff who can’t teach (depending on size of school), and £20-30,000 a month on tests. That won’t encourage take up.

Not all private school parents are rich, some are just managing, some are on hardship bursaries and an awful lot right now are getting free schooling:help because their businesses have died from Covid or jobs lost and they can no longer afford fees. So the schools are at the moment subbing them, but it won’t last and they’ll be removed.

Around 6.5% of U.K. (c.600k+) pupils are in independents. Will the government provide those school places when parents have to pull them or private schools go under?

I’m just not sure it’s ethical when parents are paying into the NHS, and into schooling (twice) that they aren’t providing these tests.

Just wanted to have the debate!

@Watchingbehindmyhands

It’s beyond ridiculous and weird given we have a Tory government. You’d think they would be wanting to keep their children and families safe. It’s not like private school kids aren’t part of their local communities, is it?

Funnily enough nearly all of my friends whose children go private vote Labour.

I'm grateful to private schools for taking some of the strain off state schools. I actually think parents who send their kids to private school should get tax relief on that cost. My kids go to state btw.

Sorry should have said, I think they should be supported.

@Avenueofcherryblossom

the £26k that I am already paying out to a school ...... I am not rich

I think it’s fair to say that anyone who can afford to pay that much money on school fees in addition to the ordinary cost of living is in a privileged position.

Not all private school parents are rich, some are just managing. Average private school fees are c£6000 a term, most families don’t have that kind of spare money so the fact is that private school parents do have more money than most other parents.

Some do not pay these fees: they are on bursaries or supported through charities.

I wonder if those who want private schools closed realise how many disadvantaged and SEN children attend them?

Good to know the tests are being provided, I am sure there will be parents willing to support the schools in administering them if it is needed. I know I will be volunteering.

It’s not Fake News FFS who are you Trump?

Our state secondary are asking for parent volunteers to help administer the testing process.

This option is also open to private schools.

In addition private schools are likely to have
Fewer pupils per classroom
More space to maintain distancing
The ability to require compel pupils and staff to wear masks
Fewer barriers to online learning.
A very low percentage of pupils living in disadvantaged housing

The risk profile for prevention of infection is very different and it is right that private schools are not prioritised.

I always have to ask, does anyone use the word goady outside Mumsnet?

@notevenat20

I always have to ask, does anyone use the word goady outside Mumsnet?

Nope. Also ‘toady’ has got to be the goadiest word ever.

*goady

Can you please share a link to that quote, @DrizzleandDamp? I’d like to read the whole thing.

I always have to ask, does anyone use the word goady outside Mumsnet?

Great question. Also agree with AIMD.

Will be interesting to see what financial support state schools will get - I do t it will be much to write home about anyway...

Yes but the tests are free which is not what you implied in your original post.

The secondary schools aren't magically employing new staff either, they are training existing staff who are being taken away from their normal duties.

You essentially implied that private schools wouldn't get any tests which is wrong.

Will the government provide those school places when parents have to pull them or private schools go under?

Of course they will as it's their duty.

My dd school (boarding) do regular temperatures throughout the day.
They only get a test if they need one.

This is a medical issue surely. If someone gets Covid they could end up in hospital.

Any testing, should be funded by the government. End of.

* I always have to ask, does anyone use the word goady outside Mumsnet?*

Although outside of mumsnet - I don’t see “goats” behaviour!

In my family we attend/ work at 3 different private schools and all are having weekly testing.
Just sent this thread to a number of private school teacher friends and all of their schools are having tests too!

Not sure about funding, but testing is all in place to start this week for staff, the following week for yr11 and 13 and week beginning 18th for everyone else.

All those who are over the moon about this will be pleased to know that the online teaching for the vast majority of children in private schools has been great. There will be stories of good online teaching in state, but generally the private is better. As you would expect if you're paying for it.

So if schools close, as appears to be the direction, the private school kids will do great at home.

See, we can all be spiteful

@Empressofthemundane - I think the OP said it was a letter from her DC’s school...

@MrsMiaWallis

I'm a private school parent and wouldn't dream of taking state funding for this. £99 for each test at our school.

Indeed. Less that the cost of an item of uniform.

@Empressofthemundane yes sorry it was a private letter to a teacher so I’d get shot! Hence the clip.

@cameocat erm no I didn’t I said they didn’t get funding. Nothing was “implied”

Why can’t people just have a debate around the issue/ethics without throwing around “goady”, “troll” etc etc ever on this site?

Testing is optional so I suspect many will simply opt out.