Diversity in Independent Schools, SE London

[SlimSchadey]

Hello,

I have been going to open days at some SE London private primary schools that are meant to be very good. What I have noticed, above all, is that there seems to be no racial diversity at all -- all the students, teachers, administrators are white with a light smattering of SE Asians, perhaps. Do schools make an effort to enrol a diverse group of students and families? Is anyone else bothered by the idea of a school where essentially all the children are from the same type of background?

But you can't blame individuals for making the best choice for their children when they are able to in a system which encourages choice and competition.

Yes, I can, and I do.

'I'd just decide which I thought was least immoral'

Quite.

I considered it more immoral to lie about my lack of faith or move house and use up taxpayers money to fund a free but nevertheless exclusive education for my children.

But I don't believe it's possible to live your life such that you have no involvement at all in anything unethical. As soon as you step into a supermarket or get in the car you are treading in an ethical minefield.

Well I wouldn't lie about my faith, my choice of place to live would always be determined by a number of obvious facts, and I wouldn't send my children to an exclusive school. With all the problems of catchments and so on, I still believe it is the best and right thing to do to send your child to the state school nearest to you.

Of course it's impossible never to do anything unethical, but equally we all have our own moral codes, and mine includes not having anything to do with private education.

Out of interest what choice did you make for your own children then Elaine? Did you send them to the nearest school? And what sort of school would that be?

'the best and right thing to do to send your child to the state school nearest to you'

but what if your nearest school IS an exclusive school?? My nearest school was C of E. It is therefore exclusive.

It is wrong to present choices about education as a simple right and wrong. It is not that simple.

'my choice of place to live would always be determined by a number of obvious facts'

In other words, you would move into the catchment area of a good school. I don't really see how that is less morally suspect than choosing a private school. Not everybody is able to live in the catchment area of a good school and your choice may well deprive a more needy person of that school place.

And I think there is something distinctly unpleasant about those parents who just happen to be in the catchment of a good state school for berating others who aren't for opting for a private school.

nearest school, state comp.

And no, where I live is, as with most people, determined by a) work and b) where I can afford it. Not 'in other words' that, at all.

Look, don't get upset about it - I'm sure there are things I do which you would look down on. You get to do what you think is 'right for your child', and you're happy with it - I disapprove of it, but I'm sure that doesn't worry you! You can't have everything you want and everyone's approval all the time, can you/

I love how I gave what I would have thought is a reasonably obvious fact - that where you live is determined by lots of things - and you have taken from that that I moved into a good catchment area and deprived someone else!

I just think it's not as simple as you are presenting it to be. I also disapprove of private education. I disapprove much, much more of state schools being allowed to exclude members their local communities (on grounds of faith or ability) and see this as no less morally reprehensible than a hospital that might refuse to treat a patient of the wrong faith or who was insufficiently healthy. I also think it is the SYSTEM that is at fault rather than those who use it as it is designed to be used.

I do disagree with faith schools and grammar schools though.

Those schools educate far more children than private schools. But WE ALL pay for them. If there were no faith schools and no grammar schools I almost certainly wouldn't have felt the need to opt for a private school.

'but I'm sure that doesn't worry you'

I don't particularly worry about whether or not people approve of my choice, no. It does annoy me that so many of those who feel able to express their criticism do not appreciate ways in which they have made their own choices which could be seen as hypocritical or morally suspect too.

I also do worry about the education system as a whole and the gulfs between different schools and barriers to a good education. I am a teacher in the state system BTW.

I worry that private school parents seem incapable of believing that anyone who disapproves of private schools didn't move to a 'leafy comp' or do anything other than send to the school round the corner and get on with it.

Elaine - out of interest, is your local school a good comp, a failing comp, an average comp?

Dont worry ElaineReese I as a private school parent am not incapable of believing that anyone who disapproves of private schools hasn't moved to a 'leafy comp' or do anything other than send to the school round the corner and get on with it. In fact in never crossed my mind that you don't send your DC to anything but your local comp however awful or good it might be. In fact I think most parents in my position are not loosing any sleep over the school you've chosen or any other parents for that matter. We are able to sit smug in a our little worlds knowing that our children are receiving a better education than many in the state sector and I suspect the over whelming majority feel little guilt. Would removing our children and putting them into state ed. make any difference to your? I somehow doubt it.

" We are able to sit smug in a our little worlds knowing that our children are receiving a better education than many in the state sector and I suspect the over whelming majority feel little guilt"

You have neatly encapsulated what is wrong with private education!

It's so pleasing to conform to your views on those who don't hold your beliefs.I can go about my day; lunch in Peter Jones darling with a friend, feeling even more smug now knowing that not only are my DS is receiving a better broader education than yours that will enable him to get into better universities I so hope its Oxbridge and get a better job maybe even one of those "top" jobs (oh the excitement of anticipation) but that I've managed to conform
to a narrow knee jerk view of a couple of parents on MM who think that life is black and white and that those who educate their children privately are members of an exclusive club who are the wealthy amoral others peoples children of a decent education and job opportunities.

Meant to say at the end the wealthy amoral depriving other people children of a decent education and job opportunities.

Oh, is that the Renaissance man who doesn't live with you and can't talk to people who aren't clever? Jellus.

That's him! You'll I'm sure be delighted to know that he's doing so well in his exclusive selective boys boarding school experiencing so many things that state ed doesn't offer the best art drama music and the finest intellectual education any one can provide. Of course we only got a bursary because we're nice and middle class (the really wealthy won't even suspect because to look at and talk too we're just like them we won't be using the wrong cutlery or wine glasses and the DS won't be intimidated when he stays at friends huge houses) after all we don't want the common people going especially if we want to maintain our exclusive club. And when he's finished the money we save on fees will do towards psychological counselling because 11 years of boarding will have made him com

Completely dysfunctional although maybe those top jobs that you th

Top jobs that you so covet require a high degree of dysfunctionality so he'll be fine!

I'm only posting this morning because the horse has gone lame soon hunting for me this morning!