Transferring from private to state - things not to say to/ask the Head.

[thedolly]

I have a meeting with the Head of our catchment primary school (5-9) next week.

So what things shouldn't I say/ask the Head if I want to give the right impression.

It's beginning to feel like a bit of a soap opera now - this is my 4th thread on the same topic . I nearly posted this in AIBU .

However it does have the potential of being quite a funny thread and it may even help me from committing an unwitting private/state faux pas.

Thanks.

I think there are a huge number of reasons for that though thedolly
why are you moving your dcs? is it a house move

(at the risk of moving off topic the dolly I thnk one of the issues is-IMHO with my dcs -the state sector is very one size fits all)

Here here Hercules

sorry I wanted to put IMHE rather than IMHO although I suppose the one backs the other up

The simple answer Jajas is to save ourselves a fortune.

Are you saying that most teachers have a social conscience and posh people don't?

thedolly - I still don't get how you honestly believe your children are going to be disadvantaged by mixing with state school children. It's not as if you live in an ivory tower or anything - you're a teacher.

Were you not present for those theory of education lectures at university?

hercules1 it is not as simple as 'that's because most people go there'.

I am not sure what the reasons are or even if it is a fact.

But the fact that private school parents want to see a return on their financial investment may be a factor.

ah jajas and I cross posted

well since effectively most people have no choice in the state system (and you sound like you don't either maybe I'm wrong..) then you just have to weigh up that balance ie cough up or put up (unless you have the attitude you can get into a school and change it from the inside which I think is probably rare)

I suppose then you could start a very different thread along the lines of private school what do you pay for? or what things are deal breakers in private vs state etc etc.
although some may feel that's been done before and you may have wanted something more personalised

Well, you know what I'd like a return on my financial investment too not to mention a good all round education for my children. I pay a lot of taxes each month...

hercules1, perhaps it's not that they will be disadvantaged but just that they will be losing an advantage.

And the advantage being?

I thought you'd come back with that, and rightly so but as DH pointed out (he's less emotionally affected by all this than I am) parents in the private sector pay taxes too and one could argue that proportionally they probably pay more.

As I've said, we have just had an ex-privately educated child pitch up in Y2. She has brought worksheet upon worksheet upon worksheet, plus the odd SPMG maths book. Marking is dreadful - no incentive, no help, no marking to objective. There is no creative writing, only news.....and those parents PAID for the education - they are about 10 years out of date! Primary education (particularly KS1) has been moving so rapidly down the creative road over the last 3-4 years (which is a fantastic learning experience for the children), the independent schools need to sit up and observe, lest they lose more customers.

Ofgs. If you are going to go down the you pay more route I thought you don't work so aren't actually contributing anything.
Dh and I earn quite a bit between us - I expect more than a lot of private school parents. Probably more than your dh as you can no longer afford private. So?

I agree with you thrickerg but I do think some parents choose private education because they believe all those worksheets, spelling tests and writing NEWS [rolls eyes in horror smiley] do people still write news? is quality first education.

Again, very sad that you feel that the more you pay the more entitled you are. Does that mean as a state teacher I can slack off?

That is the question hercules1 - it's something I can't quite put my finger on but I will try. A mix of ethos (pride in ones school especially), good discipline, fantastic surroundings, open spaces, a propensity for the arts and a strong focus on team sports, scale and grandeur. All things which make learning pleasurable.

Of course I know that many state schools offer many of these things but very few offer them all.

No hercules 1!!!!!! We are the FUTURE!!!

Do you really believe that? Did you not pay attention in college? Fantastic surroundings etc do not make a difference. Good solid supportive home is the main thing.

snort lol trickerg

hercules1 - why so mean? I thought we were beginning to have a civil conversation.

My previous post was in answer to your 'what advantage' question btw.

I have never once said that the quality of education on offer in the private sector is better than that in the state sector.

I'm not meaning to be mean but I do find you insulting to children - not a nice trait.
Your comment about paying more therefore expecting more was awful. If everyone who sent their child privately felt like you then you wouldn't get teachers to teach in private schools.

Come on, being a teacher you must have some inkling of how children learn and have a vague realisation that nice grounds etc aren't that high on what's important for a decent education.

We do, thedolly, and I'm sure we're not the only school in the country who offers all of the things you mention:

We are disciplined: we have a lovely field and multi-use-games-area; we have access to the local woods (and I'm about to go on training for our school to become a Forest School - I am SO excited about this!); our tag rugby team appeared at the Cardiff Stadium (we come from Bucks) in an International; we have a fantastic school orchestra, which gives concerts locally. Also, we are part of the Change Schools programme, and our Y2 classes last year made a feature film, whilst our Y4 classes renovated a disused classroom.

hercules1 - do not make a difference to what? To the feeling that you get when you drive/walk through the grounds every school day. My DCs school is in the most beautiful parkland - it really does lift the spirits. I love to see them climbing trees etc. and the fact that they equate it with education is so much the better.