is private REALLY better?

[ChuppaChups]

just out of interest, i would appreciate some OPINIONS on this area as i am seriously considering the move to private from state. The main reason being is we are now financially able to do so.

So, is it better and why?

Thanks

By FluffyBunnyGoneBad on Tue 28-Jul-09 19:41:36
There's no answer to this,

True

I liked the conservatives ideas of the 'voucher' where a parent can use it in a private school and then top up themselves,

always supposing there are accessibly private schools where they live

they can choose any state school for their child so will get rid of catchment areas.

popular schools will run out of space to put pupils and unpopular schools will be empty. Remember often judgements are doubtful.

Would equality be reached a little more if the schools had to work for the cash and promote themselves

schools receive funding based on the number of children attending so they work very hard to attract pupils.

rather then being apathetic?

few teachers I know are apathetic about the children in their care.

The situuation in Northern Ireland is as follows:

40% of pupils educated at Grammar Schools compared with the meagre 5% in England

But one of the major political parties in NI has been trying to get the Grammar System abolished as it does nothing to address the needs of a proportion of underachieving children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

So wish for 25% at Grammar Schools if you like but it doesn't appear to be the answer.

I admit defeat. I wouldn't make a good education minister.

"It is up to the other schools to raise their standards so they are not a poor cousin to the grammar school."
Sorry Flatcap but I can't agree with this: you can match for contextual-value-added (or even exceed the grammars on this) but it is v difficult indeed to match them purely on hard A-C scores, as you are starting from a very, very different average baseline in some schools.

Although I am sure all teachers care about their pupils, it would be an interesting idea to get them thinking more about the service they provide!

DD's teacher last year would not talk to any parents (except her favoutites) about their child other than at parents evening. Even a head bump just got a letter sent home as communication. If the tory plans make teachers like her think about the service they are providing, then that can only be a good thing. If bad schools get closed along the way, maybe that would be an example to others & improve education all around!

I'm afraid I don't know teachers who haven't got time to listen to parents and communicate with them even those I don't particularly rate as teachers.

I don't think it is that unusual to not have as much information about your childs education as you would like though. Parents really appreciate feeling part of things & it elivates the reputation of the school.
However good your teaching, surely you need to advertise it to the community?

I wasn't talking about A-C scores janeite, although the comp should aim to get the same results for their very bright students as a grammar. The quality of education should be the same. My school of course does not compete with the grammar in terms of A-C scores, we are a comprehensive but it does aim to compete in terms of qualit of education.

Aha - good! You are forgiven!

Thanks Miss.

OMG - we killed the thread!

Our work is done.

oops. Not wanting to resurrect the thread, but have been out drinking wine. Just to say that none of the schools I've taught in have had a high enough A-C percentage to warrant a whole set for kids who would get A*s or As only. That would have been a class of about 8. I teach English and Drama.

OK, That said. Am happy for you to have killed the thread.

The end.

But I have so many more hobby horses to exercise!

I have a year 10 class of 30 all of whom are targetted to get A and A* and most at the moment are on track to do that. There are other kids with A targets in the next set down. That is in a school competing with a grammar.

Wow. I would love to teach that class!

I love teaching them, they keep me on my toes and it is hard work, a lot of pressure for me and them.

I had top group Yr 11 this year - 22 of them: predicted grades from A* to C (small school, so our 'mixed-ability' sets are v broad). I have group 2 Yr 10: predicted grades B to E!!! I absolutely love teaching them though (loved the set ones as well).

Have only had the full range in my GCSE classes recently as I teach mostly Drama. A* RSC wannabes through to try-really-hard E graders. Love it though.

Gosh B-E is a big mix. Yes my last school was smaller so we had similar sets.

I have a full course group like that kemble, only 14 on there so a small group so it is nice.

Some of the Es are under-achieving Ds at the mo - am trying to drag them kicking and screaming ever upwards! The Bs are a couple of girls who were really unhappy in set one due to bullying, so are better in set two where the nicer pupils hang out!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DIE THREAD!!!

That's better.

Why do you want the thread to die? Why not just not post on it if you're bored with it?

It's aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive.

Am sure there's still lots more to say on this subject!

It will resurface in some form in a couple of weeks.

I will have my FAQ ready...