Is it OK for parents who can afford private education to take state school places for their DC?

[Schmedz]

asking for a friend....

Of course. It’s also ok for those who can afford private healthcare to use the NHS. Why wouldn’t it be?

Just remember, a private education does not mean it is better or more suited to an individual child.

Yes of course.

Why wouldn't it be ok?

Of course.

Yes it’s perfectly ok.
Unless they’re doing it on purpose to game the system. Like send their kid to an elite preparatory private school and then the last two years to a state school on the “disadvantaged” or “inner city” school list so they can get plus ups on their university applications to increase the chances of getting in.

But if parents who can afford private schools, send their kids to a regular school for their kids education for any other reason then that’s absolutely fine.

...even if that means that their friend's DC who can't afford to go private misses out on a place at their desired state school?

omg DoctorAllcome - do people really do that?!!!

I am so naive...!

Yes it's still ok.

Anyway it's very unlikely that the friend's child would get the place. Are they top of the waiting list?

Just because they can 'afford' to doesn't mean that they have to. They may not agree with the ethos of private schools. I'm assuming they pay their taxes like anyone else.

If I won the lottery tomorrow I would not send my child to private school.

Maybe it's the parents fault they can't afford private, someone could say.

On a serious note - all children are entitled to state education. Your friends children will get places fool.

Of course it’s ok.

Fool=too

Lucile - not top of the waiting list, but if all the other potential private students hadn't applied either, then more chance for those who don't have any other choice...

Everyone is entitled to a state education irrespective of means. I can't imagine why anyone would object to that.

What would you suggest? Making sure that children are only admitted to state schools if their parents earn below a certain income?

I chose not to use the private system and could have afforded it. It’s against my principles ( and those who failed their teaching degree at my Uni could only get jobs in private schools, so you don’t always get quality teaching).

Yes perfectly acceptable. I know children who passed the 11 plus to get into grammar school and then turned down the place so they could go to the local high school with their friends. I also know of children in the same cohort who just missed out on their place at the local high school. No bitterness from parents just a lot of adapting and having to travel 30 mins on public transport.
I must add that, even if child A did accept the grammar school place, Child B still wouldn't have got into the the local school due to the distance rule

It's not for you to judge what people spend money on, e.g. school fees. Also, those that can afford them, tend to pay shedloads in taxes so they're probably sponsoring your friends' children's schooling anyway.

Of course it's ok! It also depends what you class as affordable- just affordable or easily affordable. We are lucky and also have worked very hard to give us a choice of using independent schools, however we aren't rolling in cash and In order to afford both of our children we would have to both continue working and prioritise spending. I suspect we are like many others who could afford but it would mean compromise. We haven't at primary level as our local village school is excellent.

We did accept an independent school place for our daughter at secondary level and paid a deposit but in the end she wanted to go the state school she was offered as she felt it suited her better. It would seem grossly unfair for her to have to go to an independent school just because we can afford it and to make sure we don't take a place someone else might want!

Of course it's OK. We can afford it but don't agree with private school and it's not where I would want my DS to go.

There is universal entitlement to a state school education. So an opt out situation rather than opt in. You would not know if a particular child's allocation had denied another a place.

Multiple ways to look at it. But one consideration is if all the potential private parents went elsewhere the reputation of the school would probably fall.
Schools don't become great on their own. The monied parents are the ones who'll pay for tutors at the drop of a hat and who'll in turn drag the schools pass rates up.

Why the assumption that a private school is automatically a better option universally? Some private schools are a total waste of money if they are not that great and you have an excellent state option available to you.

No one has the right to dictate to anyone how they choose to spend their money. Everyone in this country, regardless of income, is entitled to a state education. If they don’t choose to spend their money on private education it has nothing to do with your friend. If the school is over subscribed then that’s not the fault of any parent whose child has a place at the school