Why do people openly criticise decisions to send your kids to a private school?

[scotmum1977]

I sent my Son to a private school (Glasgow) last year for various reasons and it's working out really well. There is the cost but we just do without expensive holidays etc. I can't think of a better gift for my children than a good education. I was so surprised at how offended people get when they ask which school he attends. They think it's ok to criticise you openly and make bitchy comments here and there. Surely how you spend your own money is your own business. Anyone else have this experience?

And you wonder why people raise questions! You might not be aware of this but I am assuming all your presumably well educated pals who have chosen not to send their kids private but can afford to, do know!!

If the headteacher of your child’s school said taking him out was the right decision that should give you a hint about how he/she felt about you!
It’s not 7% of children at private school in areas like Edinburgh, where it’s closer to 25%, which would of course make a difference to local school standards. Don’t know about Glasgow, far lower I believe. As a teacher I would never send my dc to a private school and no amount of missed holidays would enable me to afford to either! So just as well I’m morally opposed

"I'm from an affluent yet left wing family, I would rather move to a costly area with an outstanding publicly funded school than send my child to a private / independent school. Which is what we are in the process of doing."
And this isn't buying class division?

quotes from my dd -
on moving from private into state for year 6 - " the children are so rude to the teacher. At (previous) school they would have been given demerits."

On moving back into private school for year 9 - "its better here because everyone tries harder and doesn't mess around. It's ok to do well."

That's why I pay.

It is a middle class preoccupation. And it’s often expressed on here in terms you find in university essays.

I suspect that most of the MN social class botherers are academics.

In any case, class and inequality are different things.

No body is disputing that may well be the case, however, what has that got to do about why people would be opposed to private schooling for a select few that can afford it?

Flossietoot some sweeping generalisations from you 1) All of Glasgow is complete poverty 2) I am surrounded by poverty 3) I couldn't possibly have friends who can afford to send their kids to private school because ....you don't 4) my kids must play lacrosse because the private school you know played lacrosse 5) Glasgow is made up of big Irish families who are also in poverty 6) I must be boasting to my "poverty" friends about my
Kids private education.

For pure interest here are the stats for London on child poverty doesn't make happy reading.

Because it’s opposition to difference in wealth, not promoting an idea of social inclusiveness.

The main reason to avoid private schooling is that it’s such a massive gamble. If a kid gets indifferent exam results it’s a lot of money down the drain.

Which posters are academic? (genuinely curious)

Not sure why you refer to the middle class in such scathing terms Ruffina but I don't care much either. And if you think class and inequality are not connected you've bought into the system yourself pretty well. Of course they bloody are.

Stop being deliberately facetious. You know perfectly well that I didn’t mean that you were living in a Glasgow slum. You also know perfectly well that the number of people who have a spare 24 or 36k per year in your peer group are in the minority. You also know that the school your son goes to probably does offer lacrosse/ fencing- he just happens to have chosen football.
You are the worst kind of working class done good- have forgotten what it was like to have not had a lot and no wonder you get people’s backs up.

Where do the rest of your family live?? Have they all now moved out of the scheme you grew up in and have their kids at private school too??

A very large percentage of people I know don't understand that, where I live, you either buy a 'good' education by paying a school directly or by having the funds to pay a huge premium on house prices. We couldn't afford a house on the 'right' streets and it is actually cheaper in the short term to pay the private school fees.

I would rather home educate my child and give up work than send them to some of the state schools I have taught in.

If you want to see a poor rich divide look at these figures! God I love a statistic does this make me an academic?

Christ that's depressing happygardening (not an academic either)

Flossietoot no his school do not offer lacrosse or fencing. That's a fact.You are on here flaming for an argument posting random sweeping statement and googling "Glasgow" and telling me we are all Irish and poverty stricken and only 2 private schools where the kids play lacrosse. Happy to engage in healthy debate but your comments are getting ridiculous.

It's bloody depressing.
Come on academic posters declare yourself.

Happy- the difference is that there is probably a lot more social integration in Glasgow. It isn’t a huge city- as soon as you get off the train in the centre of it you can’t miss the poverty. That’s the reality. It is by no means a ‘posh’ city were the norm is private school and OP is delusional if she thinks it is.

Flossietoot so I grew up In a scheme now? Honestly?

I also wasn’t googling figures- I know them from working there.

I also didn’t say everyone was Irish- I said that in many parts there is a strong Irish influence!! Just look at all the Old Firm issues. There are more orange marches in Glasgow than the whole of Northern Ireland. I think it is you that appears to have limited understanding of the culture of your own city.

Because it's not fair

Flossietoot worked in Glasgow? course you did. You must have got tired tripping over the Irish beggars on the way out the train station each day passing the deep fried mars bar shop.

You said you came from nothing?? Made out you are some poor wee soul who has strived hard and can now sends your kid to private school?? Did you or did you not grow up in a council house??