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Original poster

Don't seem to like private schooling

269 replies

Chickpea17 · 26/04/2023 10:55

So off the back of a thread I just seen why do so many people on MN seem to dislike private schooling so much? I'm not judging one way or another just curious.
I have a almost 5 year old and we can't afford private schooling so haven't given it much thought.

OP posts:
CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:28

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:02

And then the parents of those kids would just put their money into buying houses in the catchment areas of the best state schools, thereby forcing poorer families into poorer areas with poorer schools. So there would still be inequality. Closing private schools doesn't get rid of privilege or financial advantages. It just places a bigger burden on state schools and will increase house price bubbles around catchment areas.

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Sounds like an excuse to me. And a poor one at that.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:28

@mondaytosunday well said but that doesn't buy into the anti-private narrative they want to peddle

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:30

SoTedious · 26/04/2023 15:03

25% of students on a bursary is not an insignificant number and woild most likely be proportionate to the number of kids on FSM in a state school

Are you actually suggesting that the proportion of kids who are / would be entitled to FSM is the same in both sectors? 😂

The number of people on full bursaries who pay absolutely nothing for private school, getting all extras, kit and uniform for free, is tiny.

Private schools are simply not as economically diverse as state schools, they can't possibly be, because they are basically set up to exclude poor people.

Yes. I wish more private school fans would admit this.

They know exactly what they're paying for, to join the elite.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:31

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:28

Sounds like an excuse to me. And a poor one at that.

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Well it would do to you because you don't want to see it. Your blanket response is "close all private schools" without any thoughts to the impact. Parents who are willing to pay for private school will just use that money to move house etc. You have a pithy soundbite that is not based in reality.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:33

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:30

Yes. I wish more private school fans would admit this.

They know exactly what they're paying for, to join the elite.

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Utter bollocks and again shows your ignorance about the privatevsector. We send our DD private to enjoy a wider curriculum and participate in activities not offered in state + smaller class sizes and better facilities. We are only interested in her enjoying school NOW, it is irrelevant what she does in later life as long as she is happy.

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:35

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:31

Well it would do to you because you don't want to see it. Your blanket response is "close all private schools" without any thoughts to the impact. Parents who are willing to pay for private school will just use that money to move house etc. You have a pithy soundbite that is not based in reality.

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Complete reform of the education sector is the answer.

It's a centuries old system that discriminates against the majority of the population and entrenches unearned privilege.

British kids deserve better than this.

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:36

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:33

Utter bollocks and again shows your ignorance about the privatevsector. We send our DD private to enjoy a wider curriculum and participate in activities not offered in state + smaller class sizes and better facilities. We are only interested in her enjoying school NOW, it is irrelevant what she does in later life as long as she is happy.

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I don't believe you for a second.

Season0fTheWitch · 26/04/2023 15:38

Because kids who go to private school are seen as snooty, why anyone would hate children I don't know. Any parent with a child in private school just wants the best for their child, not to raise a dickhead.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:41

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:35

Complete reform of the education sector is the answer.

It's a centuries old system that discriminates against the majority of the population and entrenches unearned privilege.

British kids deserve better than this.

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Yes the education system needs reforming but as I stated earlier neither political patty has stated that they are willing to fund the billions it would take to reform. Very few people would be willing to pay higher taxes to fund the future of the next generation through education (I would very happily do this).
So your aim is pie in the sky, the education system is on its knees but banning private schools won't fix this. Private schools aren't the bad guys here, it is a lack of political will and lack of investment.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:43

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 15:36

I don't believe you for a second.

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That is up to you, I couldn't give a crap whether you believe me or not. You have an agenda and aren't open minded to take on board any opinion other than your own.
I don't have to justify my life decisions to you but maybe look at developing some critical thinking skills and acknowledging that closed minds never evolve.

Hairbrushhandle · 26/04/2023 15:45

I'm in an area with the 11+ and private schools aren't as valued here because it's assumed you probably failed the 11+ if you go there.

CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 15:45

"Because it bakes in unearned privilege."
Summed up in a sentence.

Buebananas · 26/04/2023 15:57

People should be allowed to spend their hard earned cash on what they want. We don’t live in China, do we?Some might buy fancy cars, some might buy a bigger house.If people choose to spend money on education

I would even argue that spending money on educating people children is one of the best investments we can all make, whether that's teaching them ourselves, exposing them to foreign languages from an early age or sending them to the most suitable school!

Many parents make great sacrifices so that their children can have a better future than themselves.

Thankfully we live in a free country!

Buebananas · 26/04/2023 16:00

I'm in an area with the 11+ and private schools aren't as valued here because it's assumed you probably failed the 11+ if you go there.

But what's wrong with not being super academic and not passing 11+ to a highly selective grammar school?

Don't these children not also deserve a great education, in a school that supports them?

CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 16:02

Ah yes. Jealousy. It's easier to say that than accept that other people have principles.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 26/04/2023 16:03

Some people are socialists. Others are jealous that they can't afford it for their own children.

Really it's not different than paying more to buy a house because it's in a good catchment area! Most people want the very best for their kids!

I think each to their own. We all prioritise different things.....

CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 16:05

I find it extraordinary and depressing that many (not all by any means!) private school parents seem to think that everyone has the same "devil take the hindmost" attitude that they do.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 16:05

@CurlewKate and my principles say that I wasn't prepared to move house to be closer to a good school as that creates a vicious circle that disadvantages kids from poorer families. Instead using the money I earn I chose to send my child to private school. We don't have grammar schools in my area so if you aren't in catchment for a good school your only choice is private or very poor state. You tell me any parent who could afford to have a choice would chose the poor/failing state schools.

Hairbrushhandle · 26/04/2023 16:06

Buebananas · 26/04/2023 16:00

I'm in an area with the 11+ and private schools aren't as valued here because it's assumed you probably failed the 11+ if you go there.

But what's wrong with not being super academic and not passing 11+ to a highly selective grammar school?

Don't these children not also deserve a great education, in a school that supports them?

Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with grammars either. Horrendous system! I went to a large comprehensive where everyone went because that was the option. It was diverse in all senses.

I was just answering OP as to why people might not like private education, at least in our area.

CuriousMoo · 26/04/2023 16:07

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 15:41

Yes the education system needs reforming but as I stated earlier neither political patty has stated that they are willing to fund the billions it would take to reform. Very few people would be willing to pay higher taxes to fund the future of the next generation through education (I would very happily do this).
So your aim is pie in the sky, the education system is on its knees but banning private schools won't fix this. Private schools aren't the bad guys here, it is a lack of political will and lack of investment.

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Your own kid's school is a tax dodger.

Modern countries would be able to deal with this.

Ladybrrrd · 26/04/2023 16:09

"Because it bakes in unearned privilege."
Summed up in a sentence.

Yup, this. The gap between rich and poor is alarming in this country and it perpetuates it. The "parents make huge sacrifices" and "only want the best for their children" lines don't cut it for me either. Parents without the means to go private want the best for their children, but they don't have a choice. If you can afford to spunk away 14k a year (which I take it is at the cheap emd) and still eat, drive, own a home, pay the bills etc, you are rich.

Abolish the lot, get rid of league tables and selective schools, and remove choice. You go to the school nearest you, end of. That's my two cents.

Wenfy · 26/04/2023 16:12

Hairbrushhandle · 26/04/2023 15:45

I'm in an area with the 11+ and private schools aren't as valued here because it's assumed you probably failed the 11+ if you go there.

I used to live in an area like this. Houses were expensive. 80-90% of the children who were admitted to the grammars came from very rich families who had bought or rented in-catchment. The rest from rich people out of catchment. It recently decided to start admitting kids who failed the 11+ as it’s finally realised that despite it being a State School the social demographic of it’s students were no different to private schools.

twistyizzy · 26/04/2023 16:14

Ladybrrrd · 26/04/2023 16:09

"Because it bakes in unearned privilege."
Summed up in a sentence.

Yup, this. The gap between rich and poor is alarming in this country and it perpetuates it. The "parents make huge sacrifices" and "only want the best for their children" lines don't cut it for me either. Parents without the means to go private want the best for their children, but they don't have a choice. If you can afford to spunk away 14k a year (which I take it is at the cheap emd) and still eat, drive, own a home, pay the bills etc, you are rich.

Abolish the lot, get rid of league tables and selective schools, and remove choice. You go to the school nearest you, end of. That's my two cents.

Parents without the means to pay for private can choose the grammar option if they live in a grammar area. I'm not denying we are higher income earners but getting rid of private schools won't change that. My child will still be privileged because we would afford holidays abroad, extra curricular activities, a tutor etc all of which could push her ahead of poorer peers. We could afford her to graduate from Uni without any debt + pay down-payment on her first house.
How does abolishing private school get rid of any of this privilege?

Wenfy · 26/04/2023 16:16

CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 16:02

Ah yes. Jealousy. It's easier to say that than accept that other people have principles.

I don’t see these families talk about principles when buying in-catchment properties at over asking price to guarantee their kids an Outstanding state school. I don’t even see them talking about principles when they pay 6-10k a year on 5 day a week 11+ prep from year 4. No, their principles only seem to come into play when people discuss sending their kids to private school.

BreathesOutSlowly · 26/04/2023 16:22

Education is the key to social mobility. Private education buys privilege and connections which bypass a model of advancement based on merit and endeavour. It ensures that those who are able to access it remain at the top of the pile and it blocks the social mobility which, in other circumstances, would allow those most deserving to thrive.
It is morally wrong.