Article in the Times - why does it make me angry

[Feelingoptimistic]

I just saw this article in the Times, about "old boys" sponsoring children at a private school to pay their fees.

women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article7011407.ece

But instead of thinking "how nice, what a good idea", it has made angry and sad. The reason for this is that ultimately this only benefits the small handful who are lucky enough to pass the exam and be picked to be sponsored. But the fact is that every child should be able to attend a good school and have equal opportunities.

This is a subject close to my heart at the moment, because I have just put in my DD's application in for reception, and I know that we are very unlikely to get any of our chosen schools. Her education is the most important thing to me, and yet I am not able to do a single thing about it.

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Dilemma - I can see the point you are making, and I kind of agree. But the point is that good eduction can be available for everyone - of course there will always be some schools which are better than others, but currently in the UK there is a huge divide in the opportunities available to children.

When I went to school, my parents didn't have the money to send me to a private school, but it was no big deal because I went to a very good primary and secondary schools and got a place at an excellent univerysity without any problems - but this was not in the UK. And the schools I went to were just my local schools - not anything special - there was never any anxiety about what would happen with my education.

Whereas for my DD, in London, I am extremely worried.

Feeling, I absolutely agree that a good education should be available to everyone. Unfortunately our UK education system is failing to provide that, and that failure is increasing.

But preventing some children from attending private schools isn't going to make any difference to state-school provision.

You attitude seems to be "if my child can't have it, no one should have it".

If this scheme helps some, then it's better than nothing .

Maybe your child could be one of the recipients in the future?

BTW, I'm very worried for our DS too, and desperately searching for a way to get him to a good private school.

With respect, Flaming, I think that misconstrues the point the OP is making.

Surely her attitude is 'If these children can have it, all children should'

The idea that some children get "sponsored" to go through private school doesn't bother me as such. But I don't like this scheme - I'd much rather the donor gave money to the school scholarship fund, and the school then used it to give scholarships (some of which could have a basis on musical or sporting ability if they wanted).

The idea of a child being expected to feel gratitude to one particular adult for choosing to help him/her seems very Dickensian.

I guess they have found they get more money out of the donors with this scheme, as they can see what they've "paid for", but I still don't like it. But then I also don't like the "sponsor a child and get a photo and letter from them" schemes either, and would rather support schemes to build wells or schools or whatever.

That school (KE) is in the top 5 in the UK. If a child is brilliantly clever, then why shouldn't they be funded to go?

They will put so much back into the economy (and, according to this article also into the school) that it is sound economical sense to fund their place.

The foundation operates it's fees on a sliding scale according to parental income- those on under £20k a year pay £33 a year(I think, their website is down atm).

Surely a scheme like that helps those who are clever get an excellent education. ALL can apply (well, boy obviously, girls go next door, same rules apply)

Also, as well as the 2 Independent schools, the foundation also run the 5 KE grammar schools- which are fee free and open to all applicants. Again these 5 schools are amongst the top schools in the country- usually 2 or more appear in the top ten tables, with the other 3 not far down the list.

feelingoptimistic- I'm sure there is something you can do about your child's education- not all education goes on in school.

I can't see anything wrong with the scheme to be honest. I know a number of alumni of that school well and they are all decent blokes. None of them are from rich backgrounds - mainly from families who really scrimped and saved to get them through. Its not Eton lite but a highly academic school and very tough to be good enough to get in. I can only presume that the school started this scheme as individuals may be more willing to give if they can "see" the impact their particular donation is making, rather than it going into a faceless pool.

Maybe the OP's ire would be better directed at the decision to scrap the assisted places scheme?

I think the philanthropists donating the money are great people. Rather than spending their money on themselves and their own families, they are giving something back and helping other people's children. One of them is helping 10 children. Unfortunately, it is impossible for these individuals to help everyone, that is the government's job. Governments have lots of money and we are a rich country. They waffle on about education but sadly most of it is hot air. I don't think it is really a priority for them.

Flightattendant - thank you - that's exactly the point I am making.

In fact, I have no problems with private schools. It's just that this scheme will benefit very few, and we are still left with a very unequal education system.

Sorry, maybe I am not making sense, but I am just feeling very upset and frustrated at the moment.

Of course I can spend evenings and weekends doing extra work with my DD, but that's really not the point.

"I can only presume that the school started this scheme as individuals may be more willing to give if they can "see" the impact their particular donation is making, rather than it going into a faceless pool."
AxisofEvil is exactly right, it gives the philanthropists great pleasure to know who they are helping, it makes it real and lets them know that they have made a difference and done something worthwhile.

Feelingoptimistic- it is the point. How on earth do you think anyone gets into this school? You think 9 till 3 is going to cut it?

What is it you are frustrated by?

I'm not being confrontational btw. Really- in your OP you say her educaTion is the most important thing to you. If that were the case for me, I would move.

"Feelingoptimistic- it is the point. How on earth do you think anyone gets into this school? You think 9 till 3 is going to cut it?"

Good point CaptainNancy.

I would also point out that education is about more than "doing extra work".

We do all sorts of activities which broaden DS's knowledge without him even knowing it. I started cooking/baking with him when he was tiny. So he started to get to grips with maths in weighing things, and checking oven temperatures etc. He can now make a cake all by himself, and get a "meal" of beans on toast for himself, if I'm busy and he's starving. Not bad for 10 y.o.

Everytime we go anywhere, we get out the map together to see where it is, work out a route (which is also an exercise in problem solving "ah but what if we don't want to go thru the middle of Birmingham", and maths "how much further will that be?")

We joined the national trust, so school hols generally involve a spot of history. Trust properties also do guided walks etc, so we get sneaky nature lessons in that way.

DS could read before he started school, simply because I read to him, moving my finger under the words, lots when he was 3 and 4 (partly cos I was stuck in bed/a wheelchair for quite a lot of that time)

And we watch good stuff on telly, like Blue Planet, and Jimmy's Global Harvest. Most weeks, we do the weekend general knowledge crossword in the paper. DS is in charge of research (using encylopeadia and dictionary, internet is the last allowed resort).

Thats what education should be, and will bring them on sooo much better than just "book-learning".

Feelingoptimistic - your anger ought to be directed at a government whose slogan was Education Education Education and which now presides over a society with less social mobility and with huge gulfs between schools in a supposedly comprehensive system.

The fact that this school is trying to reach out to as many people as possible, regardless of background, indicates that it believes it can offer more than a state school could to bright boys. Which is an indictment on the state system rather than the independent.

Like you , I had a very good education in the state system and this was in the UK, yet in the rush to make it ' fairer' many good schools ceased to exist as they were 'elitist', my own included. Unfortunately,this did not herald a new dawn in many places so we're now in a situation which seems to depend on where you live ie how much you can stretch yourself, mortgage-wise, or what religious credentials you can muster.

I really feel for you having so much anxiety about your DD's school place but don't blame schools like King Edward's for the poor service you're getting.

I was too oblique- clumsymum's post much better than mine!
What I meant was that education happens all the time- especially when children are your dd's age - everything is a learning experience.

Who exactly are you angry at, feelingoptimistic?

i think its a brilliant idea. charity isnt just about giving a bowl of soup to a starving faceless person far away. its also about helping your own community. and giving someone a chance that they would not otherwise have had, is as good as it gets. funding the entire education is a brilliant idea.