Might seem like a bizarre question, but..

[BillyBanana]

Does it matter how good a school is? Especially secondary schools? I went to a Private school, and I have nothing to compare it with, however, my husband is rather keen that we send our girls to the best schools possible (can't afford private for 2 kids so it'd have to be state). To the point that he's willing to move areas, pay for a house near the best school even though you'd get wayyy more for your money where we are (south Hampshire), all for the sake of a good education.

However, I wonder if education would really mean your child will have a bright future? If my kids were below average in academics, then no matter where I send them, it won't help them. On the other hand, my husband was a college drop-out, and he's earning more than I am, while with 3 university degrees, I'm a good 20K less than him. So, I feel it's all down to your aptitude, how ambitious you are, how career-driven you are, and with a bit of luck of being at the right place at the right time.

What do you all think? Is it worth uprooting our family from an area we've known for the last 12 years to go to another, with top-notch schools just so our children could get the best education possible? Please help.

My very bright nephew (he was identified G&T at primary) attended a terrible secondary school, it was so bad there was no option to do triple science and for double science the school only covered some units, enough to get kids to a C. My nephew always wanted to be a doctor, worked his socks off and studied independently but it was not enough and he got several Bs and could not apply for medicine as a result. He had a nervous breakdown and now drinks and smokes drugs. I don’t believe that crap about “a bright child will do well anywhere”.

Also, one could forge a career 15-20 years ago without going to a university, but now it is so different, there is much more competition and many places won’t even invite you for an interview without a degree.

It depends what you mean. The family environment is still the biggest influence but the school can make a huge difference. I used to live in a grammar area and the comprehensives there were horrendous. I would move heaven and earth to keep my child from attending one - for their safety and happiness more than anything else. If you're talking about the different shades of grey between two fairly good schools then no I wouldn't move house for that.

I've not read the whole thread but just quickly. Yes I think it matters. It is no small coincidence that the senior managers on huge 6+ figure salaries are often from private education. I am in Silicon Valley industry and developers, engineers, data scientists etc have top academic credentials. They come from educational environment that excelling through thirst for knowedge and curiosity on how things work. My colleagues are ex-NASA, CERN. My colleague won a top award women's business contribution presented at the White House by Obama . I worked with top senior members of Apple, Google etc..if there is one thing they all take incredibly seriously it is Education. I would go even as far to say the UK schools are lagging behind and not producing enough top talent. Anyway. It depends hugely on the child but if that child has potential then I would want to place that child in the best possible environment to achieve the very best he or she can.

For some schools, getting a job is the bar set. For some schools, it is getting into a profession. For some schools its aspirations are future world leaders and game changers. Not all the schools are the same in its outlook and ambitions.

I agree that all children deserve a good education - however, I don't think there is such a thing as a 'one-size-fits-all' good education. A less academic child will not be benefitted by being in a class where the teaching is constantly pitched to the highly academic child, and vice versa.

Mijkl - Where has anyone said a one-size-fits all is a good education?

Symonds takes students from all over Hampshire and Barton has a growing reputation as well. The secondary school they attend is irrelevant and there are definitely DC from Fareham & Portsmouth at both.

We live in west Hants in an area with an outstanding secondary and another which has a poorer reputation. Both schools have issues, but we never considered moving to get into the "right" catchment area. Admittedly we were lucky and DD got a place at our first choice where she thrived.

Consider moving West if you feel your local schools are poor, but remember that reputations can quickly change - Christ the King on the IoW has had a dramatic turn of fortune today. Personally, I would stick with my local area if it's convenient for work. Top up with extra curricular activities if possible.

I think that a good education matters enormously and I really get upset when schools fail their pupils. The greatest worry I have is that due to the severe lack of teachers, especially stem teachers, and especially in the SE, many schools struggle to recruit and fill their vacancies, resulting in situations where A levels are taught by non-subject teachers, by bussing kids for some lessons to a neighbouring school within the same LA or academy trust or simply by not offering subjects and certain subject combinations at all. I know OFSTED 'good rated schools that fall into this category. Schools like Peter Symmonds have a great reputation and so attract teachers, making recruiting easier. They are large, so they can afford enough teachers to offer a wide variety of subjects and subject combinations. If a teacher falls ill or does resign midterm, they are large enough to organize some cover. When I speak to people who lost out on a good university place, it was usually that while they were bright and keen, their school didn't offer the particular subject combination they needed (e.g. maths, further maths and computer science, because comp science and further math was timetables for the same period ). P Symmonds will be able to accommodate vast subject combinations. I would investigate what your local schools can offer, also whether they offer trible sciences, and then decide.