If you had the money to privately educate your children, would you? Or wouldn't you on a point of principle?

Question

The point of principle being that all children are entitled to free education in the UK.

Anne KT.. there is plenty of ethnic diversity in private schools the one near me as a lot of boarders from other countries...

I agree that bright children would do well in the state school system, but what about the average ones?

Answer 1

Sad to say, but yes I would and I intend to, though it will cost an arm and a leg to do it. In principle every child ought to receive a good enough standard of education to achieve their potential in a safe environment. In practise this is becoming harder and harder to accomplish in state schools.

This is no fault of the teachers, most of whom are dedicated, hard-working individuals who simply want to get on with their job.

Two of my close friends are teachers in state schools and my father is presently employed as a teaching support assistant (or classroom bouncer as he describes it).

Both of my teacher friends advise me not to send my daughter to state school if I can afford private education. Aside from the difficulties teachers face with intrusive bureaucracy, constant shifting of goalposts, and the toothless discipline regime they are forced to work within, there is an unhealthy culture in the playgrounds these days, tainted by violent and pornographic influences, drug culture, rampant commercialism, brand slavery and inverted intellectual snobbery that sneers at intelligence or talent.

I don't want to wrap my daughter up in cotton wool, she needs to know about and understand these things but I would hate to see her drawn into it all by peer pressure. I've visited the private school where I hope to enroll her next year and the difference in attitude of the kids is amazing. I only wish that the typical state school was nearly as good.

Answer 2

I was privately educated (after being in a state school of 30+ children and being completely ignored to a whole year) where the class size was 12. I received a brilliant (although not complete) education - I didn't study physics or chemistry as the facilities weren't available. But what I did get was attention from the teachers when I needed it and the ability to be bright without fear of ridicule. My two children are also being privately educated. It costs a fortune but in my opinion it's the best possible start in life I could give them.

It would be brilliant if all state schools were top quality and provided an all round education, but, having been a teacher, I can honestly say that they don't.

Answer 3

I went to private school for all my education and I have to say that I have never met such an ignorant bunch of a*ses in my life, and that's just the teachers! I know that just because you go to a private school it doesn't necessarily make you any more intelligent that states school, especially if it doesn't have a scholarship system. I would never send my daughter to private school as I really don't think it is worth the money. I would rather that she goes to a good states school and keeps her feet on the ground, not learn to stick her nose in the air because I am paying for her education. The curriculum is the same everywhere and you learn the same things. If you take the time as a parent to sit and do homework with your children then it makes no difference whatsoever.

Answer 4

Personally I wouldn't. For the private school near me, the fees are something like £100-£150 per week which is manageable for a lot of people in theory, but you need the money to get them all the things their friends will have and fancy holidays too so they don't get looked down on.

A colleagues daughter has attended private school and I have seen her turn from a sweet little girl into a stuck-up little madam who thinks she's better than anyone else, looking down on people who were once friends because they attend 'normal' school.

Hand on heart, if I won the lottery tonight, my son would still attend a normal school when he is old enough, although with regards to your question, its not for the principles of being entitled to free education, just my own personal reasons.

However, based on peoples principle, free education is available to all children so if you choose to use private education its completely your own choice.

Answer 5

I would not have sent my children to private school say ten years ago (if I had them then) - or even 5 on the basis that it would have been totally unnecessary and, given the luck of living nearby a decent government school, still is unnecessary today. However if the money was no object (my kids are not in school yet) I would seriously consider it today as there are so much more debilitating factors such as increased yobbishness and I also question whether multiculturism works in classroom environments especially when your children are far outnumbered by other cultures (that speak different home languages etc.). However the expensive school fees isn't everything - the activities are also more expensive types like going mountain climbing etc. - so one would have to add another few grand just to make sure your child can take part. I would also ensure that my children take part in the community - clubs etc. outside of private school to ensure they are more 'balanced'.

Answer 6

It really depends on the child, my bank balance and whether there's good state school in the neighbourhood. If I have the money and the local state school is not good, then definitely I'll have my children privately educated. If the state school is good, then I'll probably be happy for them to be educated there. Standard of independent schools vary a lot so it's difficult to be really sure whether children benefit more from a private education. One thing I'm sure is that private schools generally have more open space and your children will be more likely to mix with children from a similar social class, if that's important to you. For secondary schools, a lot of state-run grammar schools actually do better academically than independent schools. They are probably the best bet if your child is the academic type.

Answer 7

I did have the opportunity to put my child in private education (lucky I know) However I felt that he would do just as well in a state school with lots of imput from home as well. My son is only just 5 (August birthday) and has finished reception year in the top half of the class in terms of reading, writing and maths. We spend alot of time at home practicing his reading and writing which I am sure has made the difference. If when he gets older he needs extra help in specific subjects I would prefer to seek tutorial sessions privately and pay for those than to pay for private school education where you end up being charged for everything including the paper they write on. If you have good public schools in the area don't even consider private education it's really not worth the expense.

Answer 8

Oh, that's a good question, Ellie.

I do firmly believe that all children are entitled to a first class education regardless of how much money their parents have. However, like lots of other Mums, I do become a bit of a hypocrite when it's my own child.

Having been to a private school myself, I know how different it is to a state education, and yes, I would pay for him to go private. I want the best for him, pure and simple.

Answer 9

I probably would. My son is in a public school and get bored by all of the review that they do in the beginning of the year. Then when they go over subjects a few times or make them repeat exercises over and over...when he knows it, he gets unmotivated to do the work...he thinks it is boring. I am not sure if a private institution would be able to help with the individual needs of children more or not. This would be the reason, IF I had the money...for my child.

Answer 10

First of all I am prejudiced. I was raised in Catholic Schools and would like my children to be as well.

But putting that aside. I think in many parts of the country there are excellent public schools. And it would be fine for my children to attend them.

On the other hand there are places with public schools that are so bad I would eat beans to save money for my kids to go to a private school.

As far as the "principle" (and it is the same in the U.S.)-- there is the problem that we pay taxes for public schools whether or not our kids attend them.

But I think that is irrelevant. I only want my kids to get the best education I can give them.