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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Separate board needed for Private Schools?

113 replies

MrsBright · 04/02/2014 21:48

Whilst I appreciate that those of you interested in a private education for your children want to discuss it, I suspect I am not alone in finding the endless succession of 'St Trinians or Eton?' threads irritating. Even more irritating is the 'Obscure local school in the South East vs another Obscure local school in the South East?' since only 1 person in 1,000 will even have heard of these schools never mind have any meaningful opinion of them.

PLEASE - could we get the private school stuff off onto another page so that this board could be about educational issues only and not the private school version of Trip Advisor?

OP posts:

Blu · 05/02/2014 08:12

LOL at 'the private school version of trip advisor'

But I do think you are being a bit unreasonable. 1. Many parents are applying to the full range of schools, private, comp, grammar/super-selective, I2. 'm not sure further segregation is in the interests of productive debate, 3. Irritation is s state of mind: I do sometimes imagine the Camping Boards with a separate section for the million identical threads asking about airbed v SIM...but it's all part of the ongoing discussion. And the freedom of posters to post.

MorrisZapp · 05/02/2014 08:15

There's one called TrinityWhitgift which is running like a train. I assumed it was a joke title for a quiche, but when I clicked on it it was actual discussion of a school.

Bonsoir · 05/02/2014 08:15

I think that confining discussion of private education to its win thread would be discriminatory.

Bonsoir · 05/02/2014 08:15

Own thread

Sheldonswhiteboard · 05/02/2014 08:17

Maybe we need a board for just those topics that keep coming up in general, WOHM v SAHM, parking in child parking spaces without a child, AIBU to let my DC run amok in a restaurant etc, we could call it the "here we go again" board

flatmum · 05/02/2014 08:18

No, I don't. As a parent I want to be aware of the full range of educational establishments and issues in this country, wen if they're not relevant to me.

Bowlersarm · 05/02/2014 08:25

Whilst I personally would love to be able to find a separate section on just private schools, I think it's unfair on those who are deciding between private and state not to find out all the info they need under one topic.

There are also many people who have dc at both private and state schools. Which section do you think they're allowed in?

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 05/02/2014 08:53

And miss threads like statesmom?

wordfactory · 05/02/2014 08:57

Is the questions about which school you object to OP (most of which are state btw and often about grammars)?

Or is the issue really that you object to private school?

Slipshodsibyl · 05/02/2014 09:03

Mrs Bright, which university do you teach at? And do you have a hand in admissions at all?

Original poster

MrsBright · 05/02/2014 09:04

I've suggested it on Site Stuff so anyone who would like to see this happen, pls add your support.

OP posts:

lainiekazan · 05/02/2014 09:25

I must admit I can enjoy a private v state ruck. I don't know about now, but there always used to be the same old posters entrenched in their respective positions.

I heartily agree, otoh, about those threads which ask about two random schools in Flintshire. The chances of getting a decent or indeed meaningful spread of opinions is minuscule.

Bonkerssometimes · 05/02/2014 09:54

It would be really unfortunate if MN segregate the board.
It is all the diversity and the traffic that makes it worthwhile. I learn a lot about education issues from threads about independent schools even though DC are in state sector. I also value answers from members that are in indy sector. I don't want to loose this. Segregation would destroy it - make it a private board for a handful of hardliners of each sort.

I admit I feel a little bit like a looser when I can't label everything I buy to be the best on Earth. But then I ask myself: "Is the need to post such messages another form of insecurity?" I usually calm down with the thought that I am doing fine by my standards and I like myself. I mean seeing other people's misery makes us human .

Otherwise 'hide thread' is useful indeed.

MrsSteptoe · 05/02/2014 09:58

I've suggested it on Site Stuff so anyone who would like to see this happen, pls add your support.
And in the interests of balance, perhaps those who feel that it's not the direction in which they want to see Mumsnet going should also contribute their views.

Forago · 05/02/2014 10:00

I agree with you MrsSteptoe - segregation is not the way to go, secondary education is secondary education, whether you pay for it or not and, lets face it, in a few years we'll all be paying for it one way or another.

I like reading posts from people in independents, grammars and comps - gives you an accurate picture of what is out there and how screwed up education is in this country

Twentyducks · 05/02/2014 10:30

Have a separate board. Entry to post on this board is via entrance exam and interview.

Crowler · 05/02/2014 10:31

I would not like to see the boards split. If you don't want to read a particular thread, don't read it. As a non-native, I've learned quite a lot from the education boards here.

NigellasGuest · 05/02/2014 10:38

it's a bad idea because like private schools themselves, it's elitist! we need a comprehensive education board open to all

Mintyy · 05/02/2014 10:41

Takes a nano second to click "hide".

We need fewer topics on Mumsnet, not more.

Badvoc · 05/02/2014 10:45

That's a bit discriminatory IMO.
Just because people have the option if sending their child to private school doesn't mean they won't have helpful/interesting views on state ed and vice versa.
(And my dc go to state schools btw)

TunipTheUnconquerable · 05/02/2014 10:46

You could make it a 'Which school?' topic.
I'm not convinced the split between state and private would work because sometimes the choice includes schools in both categories.
(Or sometimes it should do - I've seen posts on here from people who only consider private because of preconceptions and have had it gently pointed out to them that there are some excellent state schools in their area too.)

Oneglassandpuzzled · 05/02/2014 10:47

The last thing MN needs is more boards. Just hide the thread if you don't like it.

meditrina · 05/02/2014 10:50

Here's the Site Issues thread (and iI've linked this oneto that one as well).

A 'Which school?' topic might be better, as requests for school specific information are frequently made for state schools too (eg the two currently running about Lambeth Academy). But I agree with the pp who said that there are too many (often underused) topics already.

eatyourveg · 05/02/2014 12:11

I'm with MrsSteptoe and Farago - you don't have to click on a thread you don't like the title of and as Mintyy says it just takes a click to hide it.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 05/02/2014 12:17

This board is called secondary education therefore, it should be open to anyone who wants to discuss secondary education not just those bits of secondary education that are of interest to you.

I tend not to bother to click on threads about girls schools because I have sons but I don't think we should have two different boards one for boys and one for girls.

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