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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Has this board always been dominated by questions about private schools?

326 replies

minifingerz · 19/02/2016 17:56

... and the Education board?

I'm sure I remember this board being relevant to most parents even as recently as last year.

Wouldn't it make sense to have a separate board for private education, rather than having these ones silted up with queries about fee paying schools, given that it's of no relevance to 93% of UK parents?

OP posts:
Gruach · 21/02/2016 12:49

It's true the hijacking is beyond irksome - often downright insulting.

But I honestly think the worst of that comes either from people with no clue whatsoever or from people who were dragged kicking and screaming to some godforsaken institution in 1863 and refuse to accept that things might have moved on.

Someone said to me last week that they hadn't read something about something because it was on MN and they weren't a MN sort of person. I didnt think I was a MN person - but I arrived here through googling information about schools. This place is at it's best sharing information and broadening horizons. I'd be sorry to see that restricted.

happygardening · 21/02/2016 13:57

Unfortunately those "with no clue whatsoever" or those who "refuse to accept that things have moved on" are also very keen to express their opinions on inappropriate threads.
I can see both arguments for seperate get independent ed from state ed and I agree that not separating it broadens horizons and is of course the best way to share info. Perhaps people need to be more considerate in their replies, most don't know the full picture what motivates an OP to choose X over Y and accept that we all have different ethos about education and that no one way is right.

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2016 14:12

"But I honestly think the worst of that comes either from people with no clue whatsoever or from people who were dragged kicking and screaming to some godforsaken institution in 1863 and refuse to accept that things might have moved on."

But that applies to people talking about state education too..........!

And incidentally, there are those of us who are opposed to boarding even if it the most fantastic, super enlightened 21st century version. And don't think children should board even if they beg to go. I don't want to start a boarding debate- not really appropriate to the thread- but it is wrong to assume that anyone opposed must know nothing about it. Many of us do- and know about modern boarding- but still oppose it.

jonesthegirl · 21/02/2016 14:19

Bertrand. Which type of schools do your really hate 'private or grammar schools !

Gruach · 21/02/2016 14:21

I'm not objecting to people sharing their (well thought out and moderately expressed) views - I am saying that if state and independent school queries remain mixed up on the same boards there's more chance of people who are unfamiliar with one sector or the other stumbling upon a few posts that show them a new picture.

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2016 14:24

I don't hate any of them, jones. I just like clear sightedness.

happygardening · 21/02/2016 14:42

I'm not against people sharing their views on boarding grammar schools state schools or any other schools but I do think that when people start very specific threads then its mean to hijack them with your own opinions.
Bertrand you are clearly entitled to your own views as I am mine but to say "Many of us do- and know about modern boarding- but still oppose it." is I think being economical with the truth, you fairly obviously don't have a child at a boarding school so you don't "know" as much about modern boarding as those of us who do but you write as if your an expert on the subject. As I've already said yes join an open debate about it, voice your opinions to your hearts content but to hijack a specific thread do you really think that helpful? IME you just drive the OP away.
I am happy to join a debate about state ed versus independent ed but I don't join specific threads about state school X versus Y and start banging on about how rubbish state education is in general and how that if they made a few sacrifices they could pay school fees.

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2016 15:31

I don't necessarily think that being a boarding school parent is essential for a full understanding of the system. In fact, I do think that sometimes being too close is a disadvantage- you have a vested interest in your choice being a good one.

Devilishpyjamas · 21/02/2016 16:34

For once I agree with Bertrand. I don't think you have to be a parent of a boarder to have an opinion on whether you think boarding is a good thing or complete no-no.

Devilishpyjamas · 21/02/2016 16:37

And yes there is some utter shit written in here about state schools (FWIW I have children in state system, grammar, non-grammar & private system. I happily weekly boarded myself but -exceptional circumstances aside - would never send my children to boarding school. No chips on my shoulder).

mummytime · 21/02/2016 18:14

I would generally be against boarding, but there are circumstances where it might be the best solution. And I wouldn't expect anyone on MN to bare all to justify to me why they had chosen that option.

Let's be honest in even the case of "Jane Eyre" it is hard to argue she would have been better off not going to school. And the worst stories I have heard about modern boarding schools do not include pupils dying.

NewLife4Me · 21/02/2016 18:21

I just think it's each to their own and for those who oppose a certain sector/type of school would at least inform themselves before spouting rubbish.
Of course you need to be regularly experiencing something to make an informed opinion.
I heard all sorts about dd school before she started from parents at the school, those who left, Alumni, current students. They all knew about their experiences and could help to inform my opinion.
Somebody who had no experience of the school could give their opinion yes, but based only on hearsay, reputation, media reports etc. Not genuine experience.

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2016 18:32

I'm really sorry, newlife- I seem to be saying this all the time. But your circumstances really are exceptional- probably unique on mumsnet. It really isn't possible to draw any conclusions from your and your dd's experience.

MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 18:38

mummytime erm, bit confused. Do you think there should be a separate section for private education or not?

MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 18:46

NewLife4Me Of course you need to be regularly experiencing something to make an informed opinion.

????

So you have to have someone beak into your house and steal all your things to know burglary is wrong? Really?

Perhaps if you had studied child psychology you might have a slightly different perspective on some things.

NewLife4Me · 21/02/2016 18:55

Mum

I don't get your analogy sorry.
No type of schooling is wrong, maybe specific schools aren't doing too well, or appropriate for your child. That doesn't make all schools in that sector bad.
Of course you can have an opinion that a type of school isn't fitting for your child, it probably suits the children who do attend.

Bertrand
It's a school, like many others and falls under the categories of private, boarding, specialist. It might be different to many others but it is managed the same as many boarding parents I speak to.
The main difference is we pay far less than others do, so I don't feel as though I can comment on fees to much tbh. Not because I don't have an opinion but because I don't understand as it's not my experience.

NewLife4Me · 21/02/2016 19:03

I must admit that I also have no experience of outstanding state schools or grammar.
We have neither here and whilst I can offer my opinion on these just from my gut feeling, I can't add more or spout about them as I have no experience.
Ask me about failing schools and failed dc, there again I have experience and could talk the hind legs of a donkey Grin

I happen to like the grammar schools actually, and believe they are great for many children. Mine would never have passed 11+ but glad for those who do.
I know many on here especially Kent, have reason not to like this system, I can't comment as I don't live in Kent or use their grammar schools.

So you see, yes we are all entitled to our opinion but that is all it is unless you have experienced something you can't have all the facts. When you have experienced it you can only go on your own experience.

The problem seems to be ill informed spouting off, not general opinion.
I knew nothing of Kent schools until I came on here, and have learned quite a bit now Grin

MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 19:35

NewLife4Me I don't get your analogy sorry.

OK I will explain it to you in the same way I would explain to my 8 year old DC.

You stated: you need to be regularly experiencing something to make an informed opinion.

I challended your opinion based on the fact that you do not need someone to break into your house (time and time again) and steal all your belongingings to know that theft is wrong. Therefore you do not need to regularly experience something to make an informed opinion. Do you understand now?

NewLife4Me · 21/02/2016 19:42

Mum

Phew, huge wave length fail there, no, still no idea.
Perhaps you should post your 8 year olds opinion, it is probably more decipherable.

MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 19:45

NewLife4Me Mum Phew, huge wave length fail there, no, still no idea.
Perhaps you should post your 8 year olds opinion, it is probably more decipherable.

Really? My DC seems to understand that theft is wrong without needing to see it. Somewhat concerned that you don't think theft is wrong or are you saying you have seen theft time and time again and now realise it is wrong?

MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 19:48

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MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 19:55

NewLife4Me The problem seems to be ill informed spouting off, not general opinion.

That comes across in your posts btw. I have experience in 11 plus but not in grammsr schools. MY DCs have to do the 11 plus to get into their local comprehensive schools.

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2016 19:57

"MY DCs have to do the 11 plus to get into their local comprehensive schools."

Really? Where do you live??

MumTryingHerBest · 21/02/2016 20:12

SW Herts, local schools are only 25% academic selective but all other places go to siblings, LAC, SEN etc. My DC1 is applying for one of 21 places at our nearest school (not the hardest to get into btw).

To get into the school DC1 wants they need to score in the top 5-6% of the examined cohort (approx. 2400 applicants but I think it was higher this year as the exam was used as a moc for all other 11 plus areas which did their exam a week later on Super Saturday).

Dame Alice Owens is the same (in fact harder to get into). The schools overlap with DAO, Slough, Bucks ,QE Barnet, Habs & North London privates.

Lurkedforever1 · 21/02/2016 20:21

All your local comprehensives are 75% siblings, Sen & lac mum? And 25% academic selection?

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