Private schools or FREE education - What do you think?

Munkey

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My little girl will be going to primary school next year (I think they call it prep school now or Year 1) and I've been considering sending her to public school, in fact I'm pretty certain that I will send her.

There are a few key points which are persuading me to lean this way

1) Better school teachers. Teachers at these schools get paid more so higher pay attracts better teachers. The teachers also have a nicer environment to work in which should make their job easier and thus a happier teacher is a better teacher?

2) Better facilities. The school I visited yesterday was set in 18 acres of woodland, it had a cricket pitch, a few rugby pitches, swimming pool, archery area and the list goes on and on.

3) Smarter students. This school in particular was in the top 5% nationally for school results. Are you only as smart and motivated as the kids you hang around with, I personally think so.

4) Better social class of students. Most of the kids that I saw and spoke with all had exceptional manners and spoke the queens English, I was very impressed with their communication skills.

Sending them to a public school is a huge investment plus if I send one of my kids I'll have to send the others so it could be a costly exercise. I really don't see what other things I could spend my money on that would give me a better return.

Come on people try and talk me out of it or tell me this is the way to go!

oh and i went to a state skool and i trned out alwight i tink :)
 
If money is not a problem then yes send them,nothing wrong with wanting the best for your children m8.
 
It doesn't make any difference if you go to a public school or a private school, if your interested in education and want to do well then you will succeed wherever you go.
If your not then you will fail.

Simple as that.

Perfect example:

Sir Alan Sugar, in the area he was brought up in 99.9% of peeps where probably on the doull or doing manual labour jobs, etc.

But he had a goal and he let nothing get in his way to achieving that goal and look where he is now...
 
private school is good mate if you can then send the kids there. altho, do make them realise that there is more to life than just acedemia. some of these private school kids that come out of school know everything about education but nothing about life.

sometimes its good to know what its like growing up in a council estate lol
 
My Daughter is in private school has been since she was 5, only 9 in her class and the standard is much higher as for cost its not that bad but I only have one If you want I can send the link to her school so you can compare the cost to others in your area
 
private schools are no better than mainstream, if you think they are you are sadly mistaken. a good public school is far superior. if my daughter was in with only nine other children i would think that in the end she would become unsociable, and she probably would. look at the SAT's people...
 
1) Better school teachers. Teachers at these schools get paid more so higher pay attracts better teachers. The teachers also have a nicer environment to work in which should make their job easier and thus a happier teacher is a better teacher?

2) Better facilities. The school I visited yesterday was set in 18 acres of woodland, it had a cricket pitch, a few rugby pitches, swimming pool, archery area and the list goes on and on.

3) Smarter students. This school in particular was in the top 5% nationally for school results. Are you only as smart and motivated as the kids you hang around with, I personally think so.

4) Better social class of students. Most of the kids that I saw and spoke with all had exceptional manners and spoke the queens English, I was very impressed with their communication skills.

1)blame the government, theyre tucking everyone up, even doctors are going private cos the moneys better
2)blame the government, most schools are under funded
3) as has been said, someone is only as smart as they try to be, my 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl get bored doing work thats for kids 3 years older than them
4) maybe, but what life skills will they get out of it?

We all want whats best for our kids, but times have changed, and private school no longer guarantees you a place on the social ladder in later life.
 
Go with what ever you think is best for your kids mate,I personally haven't a clue when it comes to private schools as my family has always been in mainstream schools and i can honestly say it hasn't done us wrong and i can remember some very smart kids from my era that's went on to do great things.But defiantly agree with the others its all down to the child if they want to learn they will if they don't they wont.

Jmtcw.
 
I would assume that it comes down to which school is better, regardless of state or public. Which one has the best track record etc.

If you have the choice of putting your kids in a public school that has a good record, then that should be the direction to take.
 
I would challenge some of your current views Munkey for benefit of discussion-
1) Define 'better'. These teachers on more pay have more interest in their own career and in profits than in caring for our children. I personally know 2 very highly paid private teachers (diffferent areas), and both do not have children and never want them! They are purely in the job for money and would not put any child ahead of their own personal gain, and i certainly dont agree they are happier than my childrens local teachers. Sports car finance and large homes are a big cause of stress.
2) Facilities.... well what is important here? Education or social activities & fun? If its activities & great social experience then 100% you are fooled into thinking private is better. Without doubt private education lacks when it comes to children enjoying non-education activity & general fun with other kids. Public funded schools are certainly regarded as best when it comes to social skill and variation, and thats why private schools have to compensate by offering more specialist activities (although most public schools offer those you mention).
3) Smarter than who, someone poorer? If you have enough money for private education this will not make your child more intelligent than someone whose parents cannot afford it. 'Smart' also implies common sense and understanding of reality, rather than purely just qualifications. This cannot be shown with 'school results tables' but common sense and 'street wise' abilities will certainly be lacking with private education due to the lack of social mix & variation, as is widely known and accepted.
4) I wont disagree :). It is likely that manners, well-speaking, and discipline will be more evident in a privately educated child compared with public schooling. Personally I think this should be more 'the parents' responsibility, but I do agree that there is a national complete lack of care in this area. I am not convinced that a private school will be able to change a child if the parents do not inforce manners & correct language use, but I assume here that you are a decent parent.

-----------
Overall, my view is that Private schools may recognise childrens abilities or if the child can learn at a higher rate, then they will push that ability (maybe). Children that get "bored with work set for 3 year older" children will perhaps remain bored with public schooling for the rest of their school days, as national funded education has no process to judge, improve & increase the curriculum for that child.
Its just a sad fact that our national education is of poor overall standard, X-year olds are set X-year olds work no matter what level they want or can work at, so in principle 'Private' is better here, but is it? Why is that private school only in the "top 5%" and not positioned at number 1, or in the top 1%? Its because even private education is not producing the overall level of improvement it should do :(.

Finally, would I send my children to private school? Nope, i want whats best for them. The money can buy so much more than a slight increase in final exam results and very slight possibility to have a higher paid job. Common sense, social experience & good parenting will give a much higher chance of success.
 
private schools are no better than mainstream, if you think they are you are sadly mistaken. a good public school is far superior. if my daughter was in with only nine other children i would think that in the end she would become unsociable, and she probably would. look at the SAT's people...


You need to read before you post
More private school pupils accepted at top universities

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5157598.stm

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/elite-universities-accepting-more-private-school-pupils-760595.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/05/09/do0904.xml
 
What are you so desperate to prove Topdog1965? That your children will earn more than English's children?
From your own links-
#Only 28% of children from parents that pay for education will go on to earn more than 70000, that seems a low gamble really doesnt it? 1 in 4 chance isnt exactly great considering the cost of investment.
#More private go into top universities, showing that most jobs are obtained by public school children. Does this mean most private educated end up on benefits as 3 out of 4 wont be earning top money so will majority of companies want to employ the over-educated?
#57% would send their children to private is hardly a winning percentage and more of a split decision on the subject. Most likely a percentage showing that people want some changes or believe they can just buy change.

I have nothing against your views but you should respect that many will disagree with you- at least 43 out of 100 according to your link.
 
I dont have an issue with public schools over state schools - the only thing I would say is that it should be upto the parents to choose where the child gets taught. Naturally, every parent wants the best for their kids, regardless of it coming from a state school or a public school (private up in scotland)
 
What are you so desperate to prove Topdog1965? That your children will earn more than English's children?
From your own links-
#Only 28% of children from parents that pay for education will go on to earn more than 70000, that seems a low gamble really doesnt it? 1 in 4 chance isnt exactly great considering the cost of investment.
#More private go into top universities, showing that most jobs are obtained by public school children. Does this mean most private educated end up on benefits as 3 out of 4 wont be earning top money so will majority of companies want to employ the over-educated?
#57% would send their children to private is hardly a winning percentage and more of a split decision on the subject. Most likely a percentage showing that people want some changes or believe they can just buy change.

I have nothing against your views but you should respect that many will disagree with you- at least 43 out of 100 according to your link.


Don't need to prove anything the facts are for all to see, I Challenge anyone if they could afford it most would send there children to private school because almost every parent wants the best for their kids,

You disagree that's fine, your happy with your kids education again that's fine, no one is knocking you, I am knocking the education standard of this country, I consider myself a good parent, as you do, but we go without so my young one can have the best education we can give her, and all the facts point to a private education is better.
 
but, not all public schools are astronomically expensive, take this one: http://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/ it has a sliding scale for fees and a lot of families pay nothing at all for their kids education there.

it also appears to have quite a good record when it comes to exam results. Granted, you have to put up with a daft uniform, but thats a small thing in comparison.
 
There was a private school near to me that always scored highly in the league tables, with almost all students passing all of the exams that they were entered for with grades A* to C.
The way that they achieved this was simply to prevent any students from taking exams that they were not expected to obtain at least a C grade. Great stuff :)
 
Sorry for the length of the post but this subject matter is very important to me :)

Sir Alan Sugar, in the area he was brought up in 99.9% of peeps where probably on the doull or doing manual labour jobs, etc.

But he had a goal and he let nothing get in his way to achieving that goal and look where he is now...

How many Alan Sugars are born every year? I think in his own words he is pretty unique.

I would think the opposite. In today's world, isn't it more of a case of who you know rather than what you know? So if the kids all that went to private school later on in life have some of the better jobs in industry, wouldn't your child be at an advantage for knowing these people?

private school is good mate if you can then send the kids there. altho, do make them realise that there is more to life than just acedemia. some of these private school kids that come out of school know everything about education but nothing about life.

sometimes its good to know what its like growing up in a council estate lol

I totally agree with this. Living in tough areas and having a tough childhood builds character that cannot be bought or taught, however isn't today's society just a bit too tough and rough?

I think you can send your child to work part time in a tough environment which will hopefully teach some of the same values as being educated in a tough environment.

My Daughter is in private school has been since she was 5, only 9 in her class and the standard is much higher as for cost its not that bad but I only have one If you want I can send the link to her school so you can compare the cost to others in your area

Thank you for the offer. PM sent.

private schools are no better than mainstream, if you think they are you are sadly mistaken. a good public school is far superior. if my daughter was in with only nine other children i would think that in the end she would become unsociable, and she probably would. look at the SAT's people...

Private schools that I have been looking into do not do SATs. I think they are a waste of space and a very poor indicator of a childs intellect so I'm going to have to disagree with you english. By public you do mean state school right? If your child was only in a class of 9 it would mean that the teacher has more time to spend with that child. Social skills are learnt in the classroom but more in the playground IMHO.

1)blame the government, theyre tucking everyone up, even doctors are going private cos the moneys better
2)blame the government, most schools are under funded
3) as has been said, someone is only as smart as they try to be, my 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl get bored doing work thats for kids 3 years older than them
4) maybe, but what life skills will they get out of it?

We all want whats best for our kids, but times have changed, and private school no longer guarantees you a place on the social ladder in later life.

I agree with most of your post. My daughter currently goes to a very good state school that is doing very well nationally for SAT results. However the school has very limited resources and the teachers also frequently strike (brings back memories of the late 80's when I was at school - NOT GOOD). The classrooms have 30 children in them whilst also acting as a ICT centre for other kids to walk in and out during the day to use the PC's. This disrupts the children and is frankly a stupid idea. But due to a lack of financial resources the school is unable to build any new specialist areas. Most state schools must surely be the same as the ones I have seen are all massively underfunded with poor equipment and no stability with teachers coming and going.

I would assume that it comes down to which school is better, regardless of state or public. Which one has the best track record etc.

If you have the choice of putting your kids in a public school that has a good record, then that should be the direction to take.

Don't private schools have much better academic results than state schools? Plus their ties with industry and work placement must also be an advantage.

I would challenge some of your current views Munkey for benefit of discussion-
1) Define 'better'. These teachers on more pay have more interest in their own career and in profits than in caring for our children. I personally know 2 very highly paid private teachers (diffferent areas), and both do not have children and never want them! They are purely in the job for money and would not put any child ahead of their own personal gain, and i certainly dont agree they are happier than my childrens local teachers. Sports car finance and large homes are a big cause of stress.
2) Facilities.... well what is important here? Education or social activities & fun? If its activities & great social experience then 100% you are fooled into thinking private is better. Without doubt private education lacks when it comes to children enjoying non-education activity & general fun with other kids. Public funded schools are certainly regarded as best when it comes to social skill and variation, and thats why private schools have to compensate by offering more specialist activities (although most public schools offer those you mention).
3) Smarter than who, someone poorer? If you have enough money for private education this will not make your child more intelligent than someone whose parents cannot afford it. 'Smart' also implies common sense and understanding of reality, rather than purely just qualifications. This cannot be shown with 'school results tables' but common sense and 'street wise' abilities will certainly be lacking with private education due to the lack of social mix & variation, as is widely known and accepted.
4) I wont disagree :). It is likely that manners, well-speaking, and discipline will be more evident in a privately educated child compared with public schooling. Personally I think this should be more 'the parents' responsibility, but I do agree that there is a national complete lack of care in this area. I am not convinced that a private school will be able to change a child if the parents do not inforce manners & correct language use, but I assume here that you are a decent parent.

-----------
Overall, my view is that Private schools may recognise childrens abilities or if the child can learn at a higher rate, then they will push that ability (maybe). Children that get "bored with work set for 3 year older" children will perhaps remain bored with public schooling for the rest of their school days, as national funded education has no process to judge, improve & increase the curriculum for that child.
Its just a sad fact that our national education is of poor overall standard, X-year olds are set X-year olds work no matter what level they want or can work at, so in principle 'Private' is better here, but is it? Why is that private school only in the "top 5%" and not positioned at number 1, or in the top 1%? Its because even private education is not producing the overall level of improvement it should do :(.

Finally, would I send my children to private school? Nope, i want whats best for them. The money can buy so much more than a slight increase in final exam results and very slight possibility to have a higher paid job. Common sense, social experience & good parenting will give a much higher chance of success.

1) I am sorry for your friends experience as teachers in the private industry. By better I mean more stable. In my limited experience I have seen many supply teachers come and go as the school is unable to offer the higher wages that a private nursery/infants can. This leads to a almost transitional culture for the teachers that work in these types of schools.
2) I'm not sure that private schools try to compensate for social skills with better facilities. I think on the contrary. Surely being exposed to better facilities actually encourages a child to do more and be more active as their is a wider range of activities to choose from. Here is an example, my daughter is learning to play the piano, if she went to a private school she would learn the piano in a classroom environment rather than sitting in a one on one with a piano teacher at home. Surely she gains better social skills from being with more people rather than on her own?
3) This is my whole dilemma!
4) Unfortunately as much as we would like to think we influence our children's ability to speak concisely, school plays a much bigger role in this area than gets credit for.

I do not want my child to be held back if the other kids are not as smart and I am finding this to be the case right now (not that she is the smartest in the class). Children need to be taught according to their ability and state schools do not provide this type of education. One size does not fit all.
 
I have always worked under the opinion that a public school may not always give the better academic result, but instead gives you a better opportunity when trying for uni etc. By the time you get to go out into the work place, most people are interested in your undergrad career, not so much in where you did your GCSE's
 
So many more doors are open because of where you studied and not what you learnt.

But I would argue that private schools give much better results than state schools, is this not the case?
 
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