Private schools your views

[Kylie1007]

I've been into lots of primary schools (as a teacher) and apart from the odd few, I'd be quite happy sending my child to a state school.

I think when it comes to secondary schools I'd be happy enough to send my child to one of the local grammar schools (there are 3 around here!) and although I wouldn't have any doubt that the quality of teaching would be poor in one of the local comprehensive or community college, the calibre of child that yours is mixing with might be dubious (in some cases!).

However if we're talking about doing well in school, if you have a child who is hardworking they will do well wherever they are and if you have one who isn't prepared to put in the work, they wont whether they're in private or state.

 

[Happybunny]

I always thought that I would, but now that I am a teacher, my views are very different. I have some friends and family who where educated at private schools but their qualifications are the same or lower than mine and my OH who were state educated. It illustrated to me that private doesn't always mean top grades.
Some private schools are better than others. Until very recently, private schools didn't have to employ qualified teachers, they could have anyone with a degree in the subject they taught. This means lots of private schools are teeming with unqualified teachers. Some will be naturals and be great at their job, but I know, from stories from my friends, that some teachers failed them miserably because their teaching methods involved reciting facts from text books or copying from the board. Not the most effective of strategies.
It is true there are smaller classes and more extra-curricular opportunities, but it is really important to look a the school very closely to decide if it will give you best value for money. There are brilliant state and private schools and also terrible ones of each too.
I think as a teacher, I would let mine attend state, but I would be unscrupulous about making sure it was a good, happy school...and I would be in like a shot if I knew my child was being failed.

 

[X5OT]

I would definitely consider sending my children to private school, but not boarding school. i went to school in Dublin. I started in private Montessori school aged 3, then stayed in the same private school all the way through until I was 18. The school was boys & girls until age 7, and then just girls after that. For me, one of the main advantages are smaller class size (I never had more than 16 in my class). Like others have said, I do not think I am any smarter for having gone through private school but perhaps I had opportunities available which may not be available in free schools because of funding issues. I do not feel at all qualified to comment on the advantages / disadvantages of sending children to free schools as I have no experience of them. My husband went to local free schools in Herts and has nothing negative to say about his experiences. My main concern is regarding the class sizes - my understanding is that it is not unusual to have 30 - 40 children in the same class which, in my opinion, is too many for any teacher - no matter how good they are - to teach. I'm going to remain open-minded though - if we move to a village (we are currently planning on moving), and the village school has a very good reputation, then I'll certainly consider it as an option.

 

[lauramumof2]

I went to a private primary school...

I went aged 8/9, before I went I couldn't do maths at all, within a month I was 90% better. There was only 8 other children in my class!!!

I am very bad at maths naturally. Maybe if It had been caught at a young age I might have progressed better.

Might I add that despite wether I can read/write I could never be a better mum.

I too am horrendous at maths, science etc. Its only through being taught at this school that I was able to go to grammar school. It was a very old fashioned school with old fashioned values, and was such a lovely atmosphere AND we had to wear a beret

I didn't comment on whether you were a good mum???!!! I'm confused

Oh, im so sorry, , I know you didnt say whether I was a good mum or not, I was writing as I was thinking. Just thinking out loud that I might not be good at some things but I am a good mummy. It wasnt in relation to what you said.
Sorry you picked it up wrong,

 

[cloud9]

I would do what is best for my son

I can't afford a private school but would definately consider it if i thought it would make him happier and give him more choice.

 

[Freya]

I have been thinking about this a lot recently so interesting to come on tonight and see this topic.
My answer is absolutely yes!!!
One thing I think a private education gives you is confidence (some many say arrogance) but that confidence I think stays with you through out the rest of your life.
I don't necessarily think it leads to better results as said already on here but I do think your child will get a 'better' education than at a state school and so they should if you are paying for it.
I used to think I was a socialist but as a parent I think it is only right to think about what is best for your child.
My daughter has done a lot of swimming at a private school and met a lot of children who go to the 'private' school - they have always been lovely well mannered children who have gone out of their way to include my daughter (who was the only child from a different school). Maybe I was just lucky with this but if my daughter was ever bullied or anything I would send her to a private school even if it meant we had to go without something.

sorry for rambling.

 

[Robyn_]

dont think i would tbh,

 

[Becksss]

I have been thinking about this a lot recently so interesting to come on tonight and see this topic.
My answer is absolutely yes!!!
One thing I think a private education gives you is confidence (some many say arrogance) but that confidence I think stays with you through out the rest of your life.
I don't necessarily think it leads to better results as said already on here but I do think your child will get a 'better' education than at a state school and so they should if you are paying for it.
I used to think I was a socialist but as a parent I think it is only right to think about what is best for your child.
My daughter has done a lot of swimming at a private school and met a lot of children who go to the 'private' school - they have always been lovely well mannered children who have gone out of their way to include my daughter (who was the only child from a different school). Maybe I was just lucky with this but if my daughter was ever bullied or anything I would send her to a private school even if it meant we had to go without something.

sorry for rambling.

But bullying can still happen at private schools

 

[Robyn_]

agreed, just cos its a private school doesnt mean that rules dont get broken and theres no bullies.

 

[Freya]

I know that I just think that if she was bullied at a state school I would send her to a private school to see how she faired there before I home schooled her or anything.

 

[Becksss]

now now no need for eye rolling love

 

[Freya]

 

[Robyn_]

wouldnt you just try to get it sorted at the school they were at? or like, move them to one thats close,
why a private school, what exactly is the difference?

 

[Freya]

It was just a hypothetical situation. Obviously i would approach the school they were in first.

Where I live there is a lovely private school with a seemingly nice ethos and I think this would be the final push to send my child there.

We all know the difference - smaller class sizes, better facilities, etc. etc.

 

[mum2A&L]

i voted no. public school did me and my brother and sister fine. my aim is to get alice into my old school (im just outside the catchment at the mo though - by 2 roads ).

But i do think the private school kids look adorable in their little uniforms, complete with cute little hats!!

 

[katyk]

so many people don't get on with people who are 'nobs'- though some people might, I would not want to breed a child who others wouldn't get on with and who was an obnoxious person (not saying everyone who goes to private school is like that, but we all know or have heard of some who are.) if a child of mine ended up like that, I wouldn't get on with my own child.

 

We've already decided that Lennon will go to a private school

 

[Sammystar]

so many people don't get on with people who are 'nobs'- though some people might, I would not want to breed a child who others wouldn't get on with and who was an obnoxious person (not saying everyone who goes to private school is like that, but we all know or have heard of some who are.) if a child of mine ended up like that, I wouldn't get on with my own child.

what's a 'nob' ??
I think I've been away from the UK too long! Either that or you mean knob?? or snob??

 

[libs]

so many people don't get on with people who are 'nobs'- though some people might, I would not want to breed a child who others wouldn't get on with and who was an obnoxious person (not saying everyone who goes to private school is like that, but we all know or have heard of some who are.) if a child of mine ended up like that, I wouldn't get on with my own child.

no - I'm definatly not and neither were any of my school friends.
But there are plenty of obnoxious children at state schools who if my son ended up like them I wouldn't get on with him either..

*shoves her nose in the air and goes off to drink her Earl Grey in the drawing room*

 

[frangelle]

I went to a private primary school...

I went aged 8/9, before I went I couldn't do maths at all, within a month I was 90% better. There was only 8 other children in my class!!!

I am very bad at maths naturally. Maybe if It had been caught at a young age I might have progressed better.

Might I add that despite wether I can read/write I could never be a better mum.

I too am horrendous at maths, science etc. Its only through being taught at this school that I was able to go to grammar school. It was a very old fashioned school with old fashioned values, and was such a lovely atmosphere AND we had to wear a beret

I didn't comment on whether you were a good mum???!!! I'm confused

Oh, im so sorry, , I know you didnt say whether I was a good mum or not, I was writing as I was thinking. Just thinking out loud that I might not be good at some things but I am a good mummy. It wasnt in relation to what you said.
Sorry you picked it up wrong,

Oh no thats fine- thought I had upset you, lol!!!