Yet another 'lefty' sending his son to independent school

[MrsGhoulofGhostbourne]

Will Self outing himself

Weak argument. Actually, what is his argument? He's just admitted that he is getting his cheque book out because he can. Bully for him.

Exactly MrsMattie.

He can afford to pay, his son clearly has problems (not able to write properly at 10...hmmm I reckon most kids would learn just from what they do at home by that age, despite what's going on at school) so he's made his choice.

Why does he feel he needs to write an article about it to justify it?

With respect, Findtheriver, my perfectly average boys couldn't write well either when they left state schooling. I'm a fairly attentive parent and was assured that they were 'on track' amongst their peers and certainly were top SATs performers. They went straight into the remedial class when they started their next school.

Slipping through the net can happen if you aren't either really brilliant or really challenged in a big or poorly run class.

I wouldn't assume that performing well in SATS is an indicator of writing particularly well...

Seems like either there are an awful lot of really poor schools out there, or maybe the school was actually good enough until Will Self decided to go over to the other side.

I've no idea what he's wittering on about frankly. You are not a die-hard leftie if you can't even articulate why you should be favouring state education. As far as I can see he only says what he doesn't believe

Another self-justification whinge. Same old same old.

He has a pretty valid reason to sent his DS to a private school, ie affordability , and, oh yes DS probably has Special Needs by the sound of it, but why does he have to be so defensive about it all?

true, fallenmadonna

We had this exact situation as I almost sent my dd to a private school after bowing to pressure from my family. When I finally agreed to go an open day I found it very hard to look at my dd who was wide eyed with excitment and anticipation and said "Please let me go Mummy".

I am glad to have moved where dp and close family are happier with the state alternatives so I don't have to say no to dd.

I couldn't care less where Wilf Self sends his child to school. Why does he imagine anyone else does?

Because all us lefties think that everyone else obsesses over our decisions as much as we do

Maybe he's worried we won't like him any more bags!! I really couldn't care less. Doesn't bother me where he sends him. Maybe he needs to spend a lot of money - sounds like his son needs a lot of input!!

But , but....

He is sending his child to private school because the state schools in his area are crap.

Why is that a political choice. If you can afford to make the choice he has, you would, wouldn't you if the alternative was no good.

So its not about state v private its about crap state v private

Which is not the same thing.

It is a political choice the schools where we lived were crap, I did not want to opt out which was a political decision. To my eternal shame I think I would have caved in.

Don't you think Will Self is writing about this because he has a contract with the Standard to file 900 words (or whatever) a week? He has to write about something.

And if he hadn't mentioned it first, it would have probably made it into some diary column "leftie Will Self is selling out" etc, etc.

And FTR, there are a lot of poor schools out there. Especially in inner London. Why do people find this so hard to believe?

Cammelia agree with you. That was my choice very crap state or pay. Moved my DD this year and it is fab although I don't feel the need to broadcast it but then again I am not a leftie!

Of course, everyone's definition of 'crap' isn't going to be the same is it?

Yes it is going to be different, I can be quite certain that with one exception the schools on offer would be defined as crap. The one exception was average.

Hi twinset - you've moved recently to that lovely school with a theatre haven't you? I must admit, it's a lot easier when you have good state schools on your doorstep -best of both worlds.

Yes I know I am in a lucky position, hoping that dd will be able to go there.

Is Will Self well known 'leftie'? strikes me he's EXACTLY the sort of person who pulls their child out of state school and into the private sector, probably only had him in the state sector as an 'experiment' in the first place.

Nothing stirs up Mns more than discussion threads about state v private schools. Why do you care which schools people send their kids? Sounds like its plain jealousy. Just get over it already.

Strange how all these lefties think everyone should use the state system, but as soon as they can afford it they explain why it's not right for their children (specific learning difficulties, child too bright, child too sensitive, etc....) Incidentally, I believe in the state system, but then I can't afford to do anything else.

he is a wank

It's not jealousy@watchthisspace

I can afford to send my kids to private school but don't. Does that make me a super dooper parent? Not really. Just means I find it hard to go against my principles.

As for Will Self - meh. Who cares?

'all these lefties'? I'm left-wing, send my child to a state school, as do tens of millions of other people of many different political persuasions.

Couldn't care less where Self sends his son but I do object to people seizing on it with glee to justify their own decision to go private. You get to choose for your child, and if you are intelligent and rational you are aware that your decision has an impact on everyone else, too. Ds is at a very good state school - there are other children who didn't get a place there. You have to live with the results of that decision, whatever it is.