What are STATE schools in London like?

[TeenTimesTwo]

I've been reading with mild interest the issue of exploding offers for CLGS.

But it made me wonder. From what I see in media (TV news, and papers), I have the impression that state schools in London have made great steps forward over the past 10-15 years and are now considered very good.

Is that true? Not just for schools with convoluted admissions criteria (like Grey Coats?) but on average for your ordinary run of the mill local secondary?

If so, why so much angst over applying to so many private schools? And the willingness to set up your 11 year olds for such long commutes? Is the education really so much better? Or is it 'snob value' or fear of the unknown, or 'because that's what my social circle does' or old reputations?

[stateschoolparent]

I can't comment on your local secondaries but before my DCs joined their state secondary I also used to be pretty horrified by the look/behaviour of some of the kids I saw leaving school . However once DCs were actually there it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. And if a school has got banding based on ability and they can get into the higher bands your DCs may not have much contact with the more badly behaved kids who are usually -but not always-in the lower bands.

[hibbledibble]

I don't know how these children behave in school admittedly, but I do know that the school has dedicated security personnel, and a police officer.

The behaviour I see outside school, which includes daily fighting, is enough to put me off. Even if these pupils are perfectly behaved at school, I wouldn't want my child to have to leave going through a gauntlet of fighting children daily. As an adult I find it intimidating, so I can only imagine how an 11 year old might feel.

As far as I know they don't band based on ability due to the 'sink effect' and abysmal behaviour that would happen as a result.

[hibbledibble]

Though saying this all is pretty pointless as I would not be able to afford private school in London, so will probably move out of London.

[TammyWhyNot]

London state schools are massively underfunded.
London state schools don’t play enough sport.
London state schools don’t produce good swimmers.
London state schools have language issues.
London state schools find the middle ground for all pupils.
London state schools lack support for SEN.
London state schools lack resources in IT and Science
London state schools lack resources in art and drama
London state schools have many demotivated teachers
London state schools have many motivated teachers
London state schools have a narrow curriculum
London state schools are losing good teachers

[TammyWhyNot]

As a state school parent with lots of extra curricular contact with many schools I would say:

London state schools are massively underfunded. YES. AS ARE MOST SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE.
London state schools don’t play enough sport. MANY DO NOT HAVE THE FACILITIES,IT IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY
London state schools don’t produce good swimmers. WHAT A PP SAID. THOUGH SCHOOLS WITH POOLS CAN REFER PUPILS TO CLUBS
London state schools have language issues.DON’T KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS
London state schools find the middle ground for all pupils.THIS IS OUTDATED IN ALL THE SCHOOLS I KNOW OF, WHICH SUPPORT HIGH FLIERS AND THOSE NEEDING INTERVENTION AND ALL INBETWEEN. MANY ON MN DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT COMPREHENSIVE ED MEANS IN PRACTICE.
London state schools lack support for SEN. NO STATE SCHOOLS GET ENOUGH, AND IT WILL GET WORSE. BUT I HAVE SEEN SO MUCH GOOD PRACTICE AND SPECIALISM IN STATE SCHOOLS AND SOME TOTAL LACK OF RECOGNITION IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS
London state schools lack resources in IT and Science LESS SWISH EQUIPMENT BUT NOT ENOUGH TO UNDERMINE LEARNING
London state schools lack resources in art and drama DITTO. AND FOR KEEN OR TALENTED PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS THE BEST HAPPENS IN PROJECTS RUN BY ARTS ORGANISATIONS OUT OF SCHOOL,
London state schools have many demotivated teachers THEY HAVE SOME, TRUE. WHO COULD BLAME THEM, GVT INTERFERNCE ETC, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE VISIONARY, COMMITTED PROFESSIONALS WITH WIDE AND AGILE SKILLS
London state schools have many motivated teachers
London state schools have a narrow curriculum NOPE, NOT IN MY EXPERIENCE WIDER CHOICE OF SUBJECTS BECAUSE OF SIZE OF BIG COMPS, OFFER OF MUSIC PRODUCTION BTEC ETC ETC
London state schools are losing good teachers THIS MAY WELL BE TRUE AND WILL HAPPEN ACROSS ALL SECTORS DUE TO HOUSE PRICES.