I think if you can afford it then the class sizes alone make it a no brainer. But it’s not just the school fees, it’s the extras, school trips are more expensive, uniform etc etc. Also as the “poor” kid at a private school that didn’t have at least three holidays a year , the latest stuff, endless pocket money etc etc socially I struggled. You need to be able to afford the lifestyle as well as the fees in my opinion to be fair to your kids.
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harrypotter
Active member
a good grammar school is the equivalent to a standard private school, i wouldn't pay all of that money for my own children and i have been privately educated my whole life, you can get a just as good or better education for free
Scorpihoe
VIP Member
My siblings all went to private schools and I was the only one who went to a state school. My parents gave me the opportunity and I passed the entrance exams, but I wanted to go where my friends went.
I don’t think I got a different education at all to my siblings, I actually got better grades than a few of them. I think the primary factor is the child’s motivation and drive to learn. Of course, better teachers, more homework, more opportunities will aid that, but ultimately it comes down to the student. I would say consider private if you can afford it, but state schools (depending on the area) can be just as good
I don’t think I got a different education at all to my siblings, I actually got better grades than a few of them. I think the primary factor is the child’s motivation and drive to learn. Of course, better teachers, more homework, more opportunities will aid that, but ultimately it comes down to the student. I would say consider private if you can afford it, but state schools (depending on the area) can be just as good
F
FamHam
Guest
They both vary so much it's hard to say. It's depressing the number of people in powerful positions that went to a handful of private schools. Social mobility has gone backwards. Unless I was loaded I would move somewhere with a good state school and top up with a tutor and help at home if needed.
I guess it depends on the student. I went to a school that was rated very poorly but still did well and managed to take some GCSE's early (I think this was the year they introduced it, where you could do english/maths/science in year 9 or 10 I think it was, then extra GCSEs after), and knew people who went who got mostly A'S/A*s as well and went on to really good universities. The only downside was behaviour management wasn't that great (you always had those groups who only came in to cause trouble), and you could really tell how stressed some of the teachers were as I think there's more pressure on them for students to get good grades. There also wasn't much in terms of extra-curricular stuff as I guess teachers didn't have the time.
I think private school would've given me a lot more focus though as admittedly my attendance wasn't great in secondary school. It just caused me a lot of anxiety and I feel like private school wouldn't have that as much, because everyone is there to learn and not muck around or bully.
I think private school would've given me a lot more focus though as admittedly my attendance wasn't great in secondary school. It just caused me a lot of anxiety and I feel like private school wouldn't have that as much, because everyone is there to learn and not muck around or bully.
Pinkblush
VIP Member
It depends what your expectations are. I went to state school as did my siblings and we're all doing better job wise and financially than my three cousins who went to private school. My uncle has often said he may as well have flushed the money down the toilet for all the good it did.
I agree with you, shame I wasn't bright enough to pass those non-verbal reasoning tests lol
emmer_moans
VIP Member
Primary schools tend to be fine, I feel it is the Secondary education that makes the biggest impact on your future. I went to the local comprehensive school, and it was rubbish because the kids just misbehaved and the teachers just couldn't control the classes. It was very stressful for me as a teen, because I wanted to learn. I knew family friends who went private and I was jealous of them at the time. Yes, they had a lot of homework but I feel they were better prepared for things. It may not be the normal case, but as a teenager looking from the outside, that's how it looked. This was 10 years ago though.
I think if I had the means I would go for Private, or at least research the best state schools (there must be great ones out there). A worrying number of state schools are becoming business led academies and from what I hear on the ol' Facebook is that the schools are completely changing they way they go about things, and I personally know 3 young teachers in different UK cities who have quit the profession because it is just not about the quality of learning anymore, just cramming in targets. I guess it does depend on area.
TLDR: If you have the means, go for Private, if the reviews of the particular school(s) meet your expectations. The class:teacher ratio in Private is generally going to be more beneficial than state schools where you can have 30+ to a teacher. I hated my state school. Wished I was given the privilege of going private, or to a great state grammar school. Be wary of "academies".
I think if I had the means I would go for Private, or at least research the best state schools (there must be great ones out there). A worrying number of state schools are becoming business led academies and from what I hear on the ol' Facebook is that the schools are completely changing they way they go about things, and I personally know 3 young teachers in different UK cities who have quit the profession because it is just not about the quality of learning anymore, just cramming in targets. I guess it does depend on area.
TLDR: If you have the means, go for Private, if the reviews of the particular school(s) meet your expectations. The class:teacher ratio in Private is generally going to be more beneficial than state schools where you can have 30+ to a teacher. I hated my state school. Wished I was given the privilege of going private, or to a great state grammar school. Be wary of "academies".
After going to a comprehensive secondary school where the teachers couldn't control around 80% of the class and me losing my voice trying to do the same when I did my PGCE (and almost losing my sanity too), I would say choose private if you can afford it (imo). Tbh it's such a touchy subject; it sounds ridiculous but I know people who would 'disown' me for championing private over state schools due to their principles and politics etc. I'm sure there are great state schools around, maybe I was just unlucky with mine.
^ I agree with you, Mayday: sounds like you're around the same age as me as I took a couple of GCSEs early when it was recently introduced too. It's just the overall bad behaviour of the class and exhausted teachers almost giving up ruined it for me. Lucky I was a 'swot' lol. The teachers eventually convinced me to stay on in the sixth form instead of going to college for my A Levels- it seemed like a different place! The disrupting a-holes had gone and those who had stayed on suddenly had a personality transplant lol.
I'm not saying private is better in terms of bitchiness and bullying, I just imagine teaching standards to be a lot better (mostly due to class sizes).
I'm not saying private is better in terms of bitchiness and bullying, I just imagine teaching standards to be a lot better (mostly due to class sizes).
I attended grammar school and achieved a decent education - I got excellent grades but that was through my own dedication. I found the teachers to have little patience for less studious kids.
I dont agree with private education but its not for me to dictate how people spend their money. I do think it should be taken into consideration for uni applications, if there is a points system or something for entry then privately schooled applicants get docked points.
I dont agree with private education but its not for me to dictate how people spend their money. I do think it should be taken into consideration for uni applications, if there is a points system or something for entry then privately schooled applicants get docked points.
Justwannaseescreenshots
Chatty Member
I went to an outstanding state secondary school, that was 15-20 years ago so I can’t say what it would be like now but my partner went to one of the most expensive private schools in England and we have had very similar experiences with the type of friendships we held. I am from a single parent family and grew up with no money - we were poor but grew up in a time where you had the right to buy so mum managed to get on the property ladder from being council and ended up able to buy in a catchment area for the best state school. So we were lucky but ultimately my partners family paid so much money to ensure their kids had good influences around them while I got it for free so it depends where you grow up and how much poverty surrounds you I think.
I personally wouldn’t put my child through private because I feel the social skills are lacking there and males and females need to freely mix and learn how to respect each other; even more so in 2021 where people live behind their devices. I feel that, and happiness is more important than career prospects.
I personally wouldn’t put my child through private because I feel the social skills are lacking there and males and females need to freely mix and learn how to respect each other; even more so in 2021 where people live behind their devices. I feel that, and happiness is more important than career prospects.
Platypusfattypus
VIP Member
My parents considered private for me but I'm glad for the most part we went to state. I attended army schools and they were very different to the state school I ended up in, on civvy Street. But I'm glad I had the experiences I did. We considered a scholarship for my eldest but she wanted to go where her friends were going and I have to say I'm so pleased she is at the state school she is. She gets great opportunities (well she did when there was no covid) and ive been impressed by the school. If we had a very bad state school I may reconsider but I do think a state school is better.
M
Member 3675
Guest
Sideways tangent
Our daughter goes to a Catholic School. It was an eye opener for us. She receives an excellent education and is doing very well. There are particular reasons why she goes to this school and our eldest two didn't.
The school itself is very community focused.
Private costs and I have known many who have gone who are not particularly bright.
The homework ratio you mentioned is quite funny as nowadays it seems thats about the norm anyway
Our daughter goes to a Catholic School. It was an eye opener for us. She receives an excellent education and is doing very well. There are particular reasons why she goes to this school and our eldest two didn't.
The school itself is very community focused.
Private costs and I have known many who have gone who are not particularly bright.
The homework ratio you mentioned is quite funny as nowadays it seems thats about the norm anyway
Tublet83
VIP Member
I went to state all the way through got excellent results and went to a red brick university and now have a professional job. To be honest I think I would have done this wherever I went as I had the support from my parents etc. My husband went to private school and we met on the same university course and now have the same career, I can’t see any benefit what he got out of his private education over mine.
Our 5 year old is in a state primary, so far I have been really impressed she is flourishing in reading and writing. There are 27 in her class but they do phonics etc in small academic groups. I also really enjoy her school really feels like part of the community they do a lot of positive citizenship works in the community etc. I also like that all her friends are local for play dates etc something my husband misses out on as he was 45 mins away from school.
Our 5 year old is in a state primary, so far I have been really impressed she is flourishing in reading and writing. There are 27 in her class but they do phonics etc in small academic groups. I also really enjoy her school really feels like part of the community they do a lot of positive citizenship works in the community etc. I also like that all her friends are local for play dates etc something my husband misses out on as he was 45 mins away from school.
I wish mine was
Yoghurtpots
VIP Member
If I was rich then I would put my children in private school. I wouldn't scrimp, save and go without though to send them there. Mine are in state school and love going there everyday. I think it depends on the area as well. I think children can be happy and unhappy in both schools. I would do what is best for you financially and also mentally, you wouldn't want to be resentful of your children if you struggled to put them through private school and they get minimum wage jobs when they are older (I'm not saying that you would feel like that).
I went to a private school and it was a good the class sizes were smaller so you got more attention individually with the teachers and they were quite strict too which was good because i find in state schools, they can be not as strict and sometimes thats where you get problems.
But on the flip side, one of my local doctors went to a state school so i guess it depends on a lot of factors weather you have a good education or not. I think if you can afford it and as someone else said, that its not seen as a waste of money if you're child doesn't get a high achieving or well paying job in the future.
@emmer_mo i would be interested to hear more about academies because there are now 2 near me and since we aren't in that age range yet, i don't know anything about them. I was hoping to send my child to a grammar school when the time comes but if she doesn't get in, these academies are all that is local to us. Whats the problem with them?
But on the flip side, one of my local doctors went to a state school so i guess it depends on a lot of factors weather you have a good education or not. I think if you can afford it and as someone else said, that its not seen as a waste of money if you're child doesn't get a high achieving or well paying job in the future.
@emmer_mo i would be interested to hear more about academies because there are now 2 near me and since we aren't in that age range yet, i don't know anything about them. I was hoping to send my child to a grammar school when the time comes but if she doesn't get in, these academies are all that is local to us. Whats the problem with them?
bubbadabut
VIP Member
I live in an area where there are excellent primary schools; however, the secondary schools leave a lot to be desired. My husband and I did well at very poor state schools, but I think I could have achieved more if I was in a better learning environment. The thing that stood out for me was the extra work I had to do to reach A-Level standard after doing my GCSEs. For Spanish (which I went on to have a career in), I didn't even know what the past tense was. I spent my first few weeks at A-Level totally dumbfounded; the level of teaching I'd received at GCSE level was so low.
Anyway, if I only had one child I would definitely send them to private school. However we have four children and it's just not affordable, plus I remember what happened when Sally Webster only sent Rosie private and Sophie had to go to the comp
Anyway, if I only had one child I would definitely send them to private school. However we have four children and it's just not affordable, plus I remember what happened when Sally Webster only sent Rosie private and Sophie had to go to the comp