The Big Choice: the State school or the private one - are we thinking with our wallets??

[scampadoodle]

Ok, just to add to all the other threads like this today.

DS1 got into the private school he/we liked, but no scholarship. We will also almost certainly have a place at the local state school.

PS is lovely, not super-hot house, but high-achieving. Fees are a lot though & would have an impact on our family life (and we'd really feel it if DC2 went private too). It's about 45 mins, an hour journey each way. He would probably enjoy it there & hopefully it would polish him off a bit. I'm slightly worried that it leans more towards humanities than sciences (not good for DS1) BUT I could be wrong about this as it was just an impression I got on Open Day.

SS is great. Streaming. Latin. It has a very mixed intake but those who do well, do well IYSWIM. It's only been good for 2-3 years though, before that it was awful. If he knuckled down DS1 would do well (that is a big 'if' BTW). I do like the idea of sticking within the local community though, & we could afford tutoring if we felt he needed topping-up.

But are we just being stingy at not taking up the opportunity for the private school? The thought of not having to worry abut school fees is very very tempting...

"I do agree that it's hopeless if someone ponces into their local school and asks for Latin, fencing, debating society,"
lainiekazan why cant you have a debating club in a state school? If I as much suggest that my DS2 school offers so much more than even a outstanding state school certain people on here nearly have apoplexy and tell me I'm talking crap but you seem to think that most state schools wouldn't even have or for that matter want a debating club?!

happy I heard Robert Peston talk about that. He said he was constantly asked by leading private schools to come and give a talk on economics, but never state schools.

So he contacted a few and they were very reticent. Worried about CRB checks, payment (he didn't want paying), what he might saye etc. He's now set up an organisation (I'll try to dig out a link) which basically puts people willing to speak, in touch with schools.

lainie I hear you, but what's the answer? Prevent my DC having it because others can't afford it? Ensure no one gets it?

I would be of the camp that says every school should have Latin, and triple science and setting. I'm sure it can't cost that much.

I completely understand that there are things that private schools can offer thet state schools can't because they simply cost too much. But I do think some things should be non-negotiable.

I also think a lot of money could be saved and redirected if each and every school didn't replicate the same thing.

My local comp offers latin and debating and they have the same funds than every other state school. It is not that expensive, really.

Oh, no - I'm not in the camp that advocates reducing everything to the lowest common denominator. That is so depressing but a pathway seemingly favoured by a few teachers - even ones on MN. I am forever scarred by the poster who said she would never have times tables in her classroom because some of the children had problems memorising things. AAAGGHH!!

hardboiled exactly.
If one school can offer it, then there surely is no good reason whya nother school can't.

It's simply unfair and ridiculous that what you get offered depends on your postcode.

Probably one reason more schools can't offer Latin is there aren't enough Latin teachers, because not enough people get to do Latin.... all a bit self-perpetuating!

I think Latin's a good thing too - I wish I'd been able to do it, and I wish it was on offer more widely. I wish it wouldn't remain the preserve, and the signifier, of wealth.

nit never a truer word.

I really wish we wouldn't leave it for just the posh boys, and I say that having one of my own.

I'm a big fan of private education at secondary level but I wouldn't do an hour's drive each way, I'd make em board, and also you will have to send dc2.

dd1 did a year of latin, struggled, and is now doing classical civilization which she loves. I enjoyed it at school but she didn't and I really can't see why it is such a big deal.

My kids did Latin at their primary for the princely sum of £2.50 per session so it's hardly the preserve of posh kids.

I can't help but think that you (general you) are perpetuating the myth that Latin is posh by making it an issue that many state schools don't offer it. State schools don't offer a lot of subjects for practical reasons. I don't see anyone making a deal out of any other subject (apart from triple science)

I do, MTS, but was scared to say it...PHILOSPHY!

Philosophy is available at many state schools- lots of kids do A level philosophy.

Philosophy's a really popular A level round our way... Not a facilitating subject, though!

The trouble is, you can always find subjects that it would be great for a school to do. it's only arbitrary that we learn the subjects we do- there are loads of others! ds's school offers Horticulture, which I think is fantastic. And a loval private school does bee keeping, which is also fantastic. And I bet a lot of the kids from private and selective schools would benefit from some practical subjects as much as the kids from some comprehensives (note use of some) might benefit from a wider range of academic subjects. I am always amused that it's other people's children that most people think would benefit from practical, hands on subjects!

No, no seeker, not just other people's children. We rejected a local free school for DS because they didn't do D&T!

Sorry, I meant philosophy as of 14 and compulsory, as in other european countries. I warned you I was last century.

Happy, just because lainiekazan doesn't want a debating club at her state school doesn't mean that many state schools don't have debating clubs. They do.

Nit - I did Latin and I loved it. If only because kids could jump up and down at cricket matches yelling Hubris! and Nemesis! it should be compulsory for everyone .

seeker DDs went to a girls' indie, both know how to put up a set of shelves and change a lightbulb thanks to the amazing wonderful RMT GCSE I think it was known as woodwork and metalwork in old money. I think that provision of those subjects is fairly standard in the private sector?

Hmm I understand that but if I was spending money. Would I send my DD to a private school like that? Whereas with a state school its all rather pot luck where you are sent. Im sure we have all heard the argument its not the school but the child that determines if they will be successful in life. I still feel that a private school does not only teach my child the academic but also life skills.

Most private schools have better facilities for this. So its not just about results its about how my daughter will precive the world when she finishes school and goes to University.

I dont want her to be another dysfunctional degree holder who can not think...but can only do well in exams.

MTS - I know a posh school that doesn't offer music A level. Which is outrageous.

Where on earth did I say I didn't want a debating club at ds's school? Bizarre. Because they have one.

I was talking generally about the pupils and parents of quite a lot of schools probably couldn't care less if certain things were offered and possibly few would support them. Of course they might enjoy them if they were encouraged to participate (e.g. The Choir/Gareth Malone - though I don't know if it's still going without his support) but in ds's school quite a few clubs have died a death due to lack of ongoing interest from both staff and pupils.

My dcs are at a state primary that puts quite heavy emphasis on philosophy for children.

Has MFL and specialist music teachers

Local non-selective state secondary offers Latin, French, german, Spanish, Russian and mandarin Chinese. And triple science.

Not necessarily potluck, Keller. We are in suburbia. Dd has option of 3 good state schools. Catchment of all three has historically covered our house. And a further 2 may with a fair wind be options too. As well as a selective secondary.

Ds will have option of selective secondary (if he passes) as well as 3 good secondaries (not necessarily same as dd because not all are co-ed).

And that's not taking into account the grammars in the neighbouring LEA (too long a journey IMO).

Of course some of the possibilities at secondary are better than others in terms of reputation (there are preferred secondaries) but having looked round last year in preparation for applying next year, would be happy with any of them.

I went to a school that on paper was "bad" - poor local reputation, in a state of transition from single sex to co-ed. poor results. Major behaviour issues. But I did well, achieved my potential and got into good RG university to read the subject I wanted to. So much depends upon the expectations and influence of parents and family.

kenlee - don't know where Keller came from!