If you can afford it, would you send your children to an independent school?

[Fiona2011231]

This is a hypothetical question, and I would greatly appreciate your insight.

My question is based on this assumption: In England, if you want your children to have a better chance in life (great success, joining the elites, etc), a good independent school is a requirement. Of course, few have enough money to afford it.

But suppose you have enough money, would you send your children to an independent school? Or would a grammar or a comprehensive school be good enough?

Thank you.

Interesting ...then I recall reading an article about heads at some leading prep schools which are traditional feeders to Eton saying that the new pre-test (I think it was soon after it came out) meant some boys, to their dismay/surprise, who they thought were "perfect" for Eton (and moreover with OEs as fathers) were not getting in.....

Amber, you're right. At the beginning some trad prep schools didn't "get" what Eton were trying to do. My understanding is that Eton felt that they had too many boys who were not taking advantage of the teaching and facilities. They were either not bright enough or "too cool for school". Hence the 2 part test. The test of innate ability (not knowledge) and the long interview to test for enthusiasm and resilience.

So, being a polite, confident boy who could be coached to 60% in CE was suddenly no longer the definition of a "perfect" Eton candidate any more.

"the long interview test for enthusiasm and resilience"
I'm not convinced Id call an interview which last a maximum of 10 mins a "long interview test".

My DS's interview at Eton was 30 minutes with 3 adults. Quite long, I'd say, for a 10 year old.

My experience of prep was that the school and the parents were realistic on the whole.

So pupils self selected themselves out of trying for the most selective schools.

That said, there are always a few who give it a punt (and not worry too much if uit doesn';t come off), a few whose parents Just Will Not Listen, and a few suprises (sometimes the head can get these kids in with a good reference, but only if he has a good reputation ie he's not putting too many kids in who don't pass).

No, not in a million years. A system that churns out David cameron and his ilk, yuk!
Besides, the kids from the private school close to where i live are vile.

Whistlebower - in what way are the children 'vile' ? The children from our local comps. throw rubbish in our gardens, cause havoc on the local buses (I've seen them push an elderly lady out of the way to board the bus first) , swear at people who challenge them- but I wouldn't describe them as 'vile'
What do they do? C* in the street? Sacrifice live goats on the pavement!?!

well said Whistleblower. However there is a difference between a Northern independent day school charging £8-11k PA and the vile PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Realistic. on the thread about, Super Education Dot has declared she feels
poor on 250k PA net of tax . I cant make my mind up if its a wind up or not.

Sorry that should have said 'crap in the street' !

What about a Southern independent day school that charges £12- 14k PA?

Ok Sidney pie accepted. One of the differences though is that i think a lot of those independent schools in the north were direct grant grammar schools. They were forced against everything that they stood for, to go private to protect themselves from the "Purge" set up by Wilson and Crossland in 1965-75.
Is it that the same for Southern independent schools?

Yes Sidney, they are vile! They have form in the local shop for being rude, and are frequently sneery towards the kids from the comp. The schools schools are close to one another, and a stonesthrow from a couple of shops and a takeaway.
The private school kids are the ones most likely to be found smoking at lunchtime [grin}

Vile? Why. You do realise that your stance of pro grammar yet anti public school (essentially the grammars of private education) is very difficult to understand.

Fair enough soul. Yes there is a difference. I should have made that distinction. I do however, disagree on principle with private education.

mominatrix
I agree. The inconsistency is odd.

I am against the state funding of segregated schools - because I believe all children should be given equal chances as far as possible.

I have no problem with parents paying out of their after tax income for fee paying school, so long as Universities and employers are aware of the disparity

and yes, unpaid internships should be outlawed forthwith.

No. I have been to both an independent school and a state school and would pick a state school for my DD.

Good parenting is all that is required to help a child succeed. Independent schooling in no way guarantees exceptional teaching or a better class of peers. It is only worth it if you are going for the absolute top independent schools that have cemented a reputation for excellence.

Mominatrix, is your post aimed at me?I'm not pro grammer. Never made any reference to grammer schools at all

No, Whistleblower - I have no issue with people absolutely against selective education. My comment was aimed at Soul, who is adamantly pro grammar and normal privates, but anti public schools.

Thanks for clarifying Mom.

I think its aimed at me Whistleblower. I am pro grammar school, have no problem with the independent schools i have described for the above reason.

I hate Eton/Harrow/ Winchester/Downe House. Beneden is a little bit better because at least they offer a full scholarship every year to a girl from a local primary school. They have help set up an academy (John Wallis ) in Ashford,
though maybe they did not realize how difficult it would be.

I went to very good private school. I did ok but out of everyone I know the people in state school have achieved more than the majority of people I wentvto school with. They were good state schools though.

Part of the reason i like the independent schools i have stated , is because i have a forlorn hope that one day grammar schools were be available all over
England/Wales. These schools could then rejoin the state sector or take fees from the Government for any child who passed their exam.

Grovel I think you'll find the Eton interview is now only 8-10 mins with one beak; I've seen the letter from them about the test/interview. I suppose this is because so many apply now they don't have time to do long interviews.

soul2000
why do you want grammar schools back?
are the 70% who fail the 11+
because they are weak at maths or English but brilliant at other things
not worth the same resources and opportunities?

and what about late developers?
or even early developers who turn out to be lazy (see other thread)?
why should they be segregated at 11?