Why on earth would you go state if you could afford private?

[Schmedz]

This thread is for Maisie and happygardening . I like dares!

Dromedary ...And there is no way that 3 As at A'level from Westminster or whatever is the same achievement as 3 As from Bognor Regis Community College (if it exists).

Is it possible to get an A from Westminster or whatever* private school? I thought private school was where ill mannered priviledged snobs sent their DCs to learn bad manners, take drugs, basically fail and then leave to rule Britain!!!

how can an A* be handed to you on a plate?

I feel very insulted that someone has said that good exam results are handed to private pupils on a plate. Dont talk such nonsense. They work to get their GCSE's, its not a different exam or when the examiners see that pupils go to a private school they automatically up the grades one of two points!

And thinking about this, just because something is out of the reach by some doesnt mean it shouldnt exist does it. Private plane travel (now wouldnt that be wonderful!) is out of my reach but it doesnt mean I dont beleive in it or want it banned. Same with classes on planes. I would love to travel 1st class all of the time but cannot afford it. It doesnt mean I dont agree with it.

And what about people who use savings to pay to go private when they find they have to wait 6 months for an operation on the NHS Should that not be allowed. Should all private healthcare be banned because the majority cannot afford it?

Its a fact that 50% of people going to uni are from private schools even though there is talk about tinkering with this to try and give state schools an advantage.

Surely we should be wondering why this is and copy some of the ways private schools work so that ALL schools can get these results?

From St Paul's website
"The week runs from Monday to Friday with 8, 35-minute periods each day, and morning break and a regular morning session with tutors. In Years 9 to 11 (our Fourth, Fifth and Sixth forms), homework is set for every school day and should take about 2 hours. Pupils in Years 12?13 (Lower and Upper Eighth) are expected to spend at least 15 hours a week on homework and private study."

Yep - those 2 hours of homework per night is just handed to them on a plate.

Oh, I missed that point about A handed on a plate at private schools. So they basically go to school, mess around and get A for doing nothing. Interesting

are not "is" in my last sentence

Look, if you banned private schools tomorrow, I doubt it would have very much impact whatsoever on which students end up at university and which do not. If you want to change that you need to do some serious work at the opposite, under-achieving end of the spectrum - tinkering with the top end is going to make bugger all difference. Those children are statistically pretty likely to go to uni whether they go to private school or not.

As some of you know my older DS goes to a boarding school. He attends lessons exactly as Chaz says and also Saturday morning. At the end of the day he then has 2 hours homework to complete which is strictly adhered to. Not doing homework results in litter picking, not going home at weekend and so on. Of course some of the boys have tried to muck around, they soon learn what will happen so they do the homework!

They of course LOVE to do homework. Much better than watching the latest football match or TV/Xbox

I want to know what became of the 7th form at St Pauls... we need to be told!

I do wish people would stop generalising.

Why can't all state schools offer a safe, motivating environment?

You're right - it is a post code lottery just like the NHS.

TOSN

Well they are right next to the Thames so maybe those who don't get A* at GCSE's are allocated to the 7th form and then sent into exile in a leaky boat.

My DM is never ill, doesnt like hospitals but she is statistically likely to be in one over the next few years. I am planning to get her a private room, she is private herself and wouldnt want people seeing her ill and unable to cope.

Maybe they should be banned to because the majority cannot afford them.

Perhaps I should start a thread 'If private schools are full of the dim witted, and their out of touch parents who swan around thinking they own the place why is it that 50% of university places are taken by private school pupils.'

ONLY JOKING!!

In my son's school it is 98% which is why we choose it. He wasnt widely academic but surrounding yourself with people that are getting these sorts of results - well it has sure rubbed off on him. Its the expection that you can achieve which is spurring him on. Do I think he is going to get all A* and A's - no. But I think he is going to have a dam good try. Having done his Mocks, he knows where he weak areas are.

Having been privately educated at secondary level (father in the military) I always wanted a local school, that we could walk to, with friends within easy reach for my children.

We had this for DS1 (luckily as we couldnt afford private then anyway) and he did fairly well getting L5 SATs in Y6. However, when it came to selecting secondary school we felt that a local independent one was a better fit for him and, as our financial circumstances had changed, he sat the entrance exam and got in.

Then we had DS2 (7 year age gap). Although we could afford to send him to the prep school attached to DS1's school we wanted the same experience for him, certainly at primary level, that DS1 had.

Unfortunately, the headmaster had changed, there was alot of disruption with supply teachers etc and DS2 struggled academically with a few things that weren't helped by the large class size. It also just didnt have the same feel to it as when DS1 attended. So we moved him to the prep school where he is now doing really well.

I could've done what a few of my friends had, moved him to a smaller, village school (the state primary he was at was a big school, 3 form entry) but logistically it wouldnt really have worked for us.

Maybe instead of always asking why people choose private or making comments regarding snobbery etc. the question should be asked the other way round - what would entice someone ( who currently pays) to put their child into the state system?

I agree with maisiejoe123.

Being surrounded by people with high-achieving people does change a child's perspective - particularly those who in a different environment would not be so bothered. You are basically establishing a different "norm" for them. No one wants to look out of place - especially at that age. If you are at a school where the "norm" is doing minimum to average work, being a high achiever will make you look odd. At a school where they really expect your best, and everyone around you doing exactly that, even the average pupil will try harder.

That's how humans simply are!

Ronaldo - I answered that one above:

Long story short - if state school could offer small class sizes (max. 20), and also had grammar schools throughout the country with equally small class sizes, it would be a no-brainer, and I would choose state rather than pay for private. But I guess there's a greater chance of a pink hippopotamus falling down from the sky than that happening.

Tasmania and maisejoe make sound points in my opinion - and I dont see why you have to be joking Maise. Its a serious point , well made.

I hold my daughters in slightly higher esteem than to think or expect that they will go through life doing 'the norm' or the minimum. What a depressingly pessimistic way to think about your children, and in what low regard you must hold your own parenting

X posted Tasmania. However, for me it is the vaguaries and ever changing policies of state schools and the fact it is a political football with constant " edu speak and silly ideas being thrown around that turns me off.

I want my DS to get a solid traditional education in an environment where he can learn and achieve what ever he is capable of .

Much of state education is what I do not want.

A*s handed out on a plate.

Honestly, do people really believe this shit?

No, I don't believe that, but to be fair, it's something that I think 16 and 18 year olds have thrown at them no matter what kind of schools they went to - but that's another issue, isn't it?

It is a different issue, and not the one dromedary was making at all.

The idea that the pupils in top performing private schools get their good grades on a plate, was what was being proffered.

And what about all the poor independent schools that are endlessly refered to on MN? Do they too give out these golden plates of A*s?

Yes I have heard seeker make similar claims of 'have you no faith in your chldren'. Even animals protect their young from would be predators wonder what's wrong with humans doing the same. I do not believe for a second TOSN that you leave your children to do as they please if so then I can see why you think the way you do.