Is this an odd thing for a 'SLT' member to do?

[maskingtherealme]

A member of the Senior Leadership team has children. They attend their local village 'good' school. The SLT member teaches at an 'RI' school. The SLT member also is bemused and bewildered at anyone who 'criticises' the education system because 'we are the education system' - I think meaning the school and staff.
One of SLT's children is due to transfer to his next school in September. One is 'good' the other is RI'. The catchement school for the SLT's children is the 'good' school but has had years of bad press and 'not a very good reputation'.
The SLT member has chosen to send all the children to a private school in the next town - at a possible cost of approximately 20,000 (each to their own - cost not important!). All are going due to 'logisitics' of getting them to school and back (all will use private school transport as SLT member does not work in the town where the private school is).
I find it odd that SLT person is critical of those who are critical of the education system yet chooses to send their children to a private school. Is this seen as 'hypocritical' or not?
I understand their could be reasons for their choice unknown to me, but I cannot fathom why anyone would viciously defend a state education yet choose not to use it!

I would guess they're a hypocrite

Or they're worried their children would suffer bullying if they were being taught in a school they worked at

Or had suddenly become minted - grandparent passing on inheritance

Whatever though. Their money, their choice.

I believe passionately in amazing state education but if I had oodles of cash id still send my kid to the private school I worked at.

Or a governor who takes their own kid out of the school they represent?

Might be all sorts of reasons.

They might regularly do partnership work at the local schools & prefer not to encounter their dc whilst doing so, especially if they have any sort of mentoring role wrt teachers at that school.

They might have dodgy ex-colleagues at either or both of the prospective local schools (eg. my ds is due to transfer to a local secondary next September - generally I'm happy enough, but I used to work with their newly appointed Head of English & he's a giant twat...).

Maybe they have a non-teaching partner who has strong feelings about choice of school.

Maybe one or more dc have SN that indicate a particular school.

Unfortunately, we're all working with a very much less than ideal, damaged system.

I'd like to see every school a great local state school. But if forces outwith my control bollocks that up, so the nearest school is not appropriate, I'd reserve the right to send my dc where meets their needs best.

Had a governor do that years ago. Child went back to previous school taken out of. Behavioural issues at both schools.

SLT member does not teach at the school their children would be attending.

Not inheritence - thinking of the family but could be wrong.

Should add SLT in primary and child moving to secondary, so no dealings with ex colleagues etc. Very little dealings with the secondary.

SLT partner known very well to a friend of mine. So laid back they would fall over! Can't see it being them that is pushing the private schooling.

No SN involved. I know the kids 'well'.

My PGCE tutor confided in me that she was totally opposed to fee-paying schools and said she would never teach in one, but that now she had DC of primary age, they would be going to fee-paying secondaries. I admire people who change thier minds when circumstances change - would be absurd to punish the DC by sticking to opinions held before they existed.

I don't agree that the SLT is doing the taxpayer a favour by placing her children in a private school. It's a bit like saying someone who drives a car is making more room on a bus.

All their staff will be on the state teachers' pensions scheme, so not really private at all. If they had to do their own pensions, then the costs would really rise, but at least they'd be truly private.

Her choice really, but if she gets on her high horse again, quelling criticism of the state system, call her on it.

Her choice really, but if she gets on her high horse again, quelling criticism of the state system, call her on it.

This. Her choice completely but she's going to really piss people off if she doesn't shut up about it!

Just to say that while some teachers at independent schools are part of the state pension scheme, many are not as it is up to the school to decide and the indi school would have to contribute as well.