News and events. Do you think not paying for education means my kids lose out?

Question

I am feeling guilty. My friend pays 4 grand a year for her daughters education. I have two aged 9 and nearly 7. We dont pay but they are happy. What is your opinion?

Dave dont do this to me again! Is that really you??? Arghh

Ysanne, thats how I feel, my colleagues daughter plays the cello, acts, and is good at all subjects.
But mine are arty, sporty and still doing fairly well.....

Ah thank you ladybugs77, I would describe myself as a good mum. nice to have someone notice, I feel I devote alot of time to my children and as any mum will tell you it goes unnoticed, largely.

Answer 1

State schools in the 'leafy suburbs' do as well as private schools. The teachers in inner city schools are far from incapable or incompetent, it's just that they have to struggle with social deprivation and damaged, abused and neglected kids in addition to teaching the curriculum. The best educational research shows that motivated pupils from a supportive parental background will do well in almost any school regime.

Answer 2

The question isn't how much to pay for a child to attend a school, the question is...is the education they are recieving any good. If your daughters are recieving a good solid education, I don't see where the problem is. Just because one pays for an education does not mean that the cirriculum is any better. Keep in mind that many theachers (including private schools) have been known to pass kids that were not ready, for funding reasons. The kids grades are often a reflection of the teachings. Have you ever looked at the standard tests these kids take? I have and the questions are on things these kids learned in past grades more so than at grade level and that is in public schools. I can only say if your children are well rounded, happy, healthy, and getting an education, save that money for college.

Answer 3

Personally, I think that most state infant and junior schools are brilliant, and I dont think that private school is necessary during those years. Its a real waste of money at that level.

The problem often comes later, when choices are limited with which secondary school you can send your child to. Often there are no options at all and some have only one local high school with a bad reputation. Thats why I think alot of people make the sacrifice and put their children through private school.

Private doesnt necessarily mean your child will get a better education, nor that the standard of teaching will be any better. Private schools are not regulated like state run schools, therefore teachers dont even have to be qualified to teach at them.

Edit - Dave, totally agree with everything you just said. Also, how freaky, was wondering where you'd gone, all your questions had disappeared!!!

Answer 4

Not at all. My kids go to a great public school and well as someone else said.... I pay for it through my taxes. Our school at one time was not so good and I tried homeschooling them but with new administration it has improved greatly.( I only survived a year of homeschooling LOL) It is far from perfect and there are teachers I refuse to let my children have as I dont feel they even enjoy teaching really or children for that matter. No school is perfect. I think a good education starts first and foremost at home. A parent who cares about their childs education and is involved with it somehow or another will have success and that includes children with special needs and learning disabilities. Not everyone was created to be a scientist or a lawyer. I have 5 children and they all have different learning styles. 2 are much more athletic then the other three, 1 is musically inclined and gifted, 2 sing so off key we have to put plugs in LOL. I have one that is being tested for dyslexia and one that is a math whiz while his brother just a year younger then him needs to make huge efforts to get good grades in Math. They have even had the same exact teachers teaching them Math. I think maybe the best advantage to many private schools is maybe the student to teacher ratio is not so high. I know children that go to private school that are doing more poorly then my children in school. They go there for religious reasons only while other children in the same school are exceptional students. The parents are opposite as well. From what I have read on some of your posts I think I have read enough to see that you are good caring mother who will always do whatever it takes for your children to succeed, be safe and be good citizens. Private or Public school will not mold your children but you will.
Have a great great night!!!!!

Answer 5

My boys are 9 and 13 and have friend who pay!!
my nine year old is top at school and top at all sports
my 13 year old has already passed o level french and maths and also a top sportsman (signed as pro footballer since age 7) also county cricket.
LOVE TELLING THE PAYERS HOW MY KIDS ARE DOING!
Im working class and my boys go to what you might call normal schools and are very happy,would never consider paying for education even if i had the money
If your kids are bright they will have just as much chance anywhere with there education like mine
At the end of the day they have to be happy

Answer 6

I went to an average state school, I enjoyed the social side of it, but i didn't do any work and got bad grades. I'm now a private hire driver and the majority of my work involves driving private school children to airports if they live abroad and sometimes take them to look at new schools or even take them home and back to school at weekends. I get to know some of them quite well if I drive them regularly and they're chatty kids.
Most of the children I drive really enjoy going to boarding school and are very polite friendly young people. They are always kept busy and never seem to be bored. I also think they have the opportunity to learn alot more. I also get the impression that the girls find it easier to cope being away from their parents and enjoy it alot more than the boys. There are a handfull of children that don't enjoy it, But if your children would like to go to a private school and you can afford it then go for it.

Answer 7

if they are happy then you are definatly doing the right thing. if you cant afford it its not your fault 4 grand is a lot of money!

Private schools are not always the best just because they have paid there is no guarentee that the child is getting better eduaction. it depends on the child.

BUT i personally would like to send my children to a private high school only because the schools i have nearby dont have the best reputation.
x

Answer 8

Do you mean by not sending them to a pirvate school are they missing out?

NO WAY!

They will be the ones more in touch with reality when they finish school and as long as they have the right support and encouragment from you they will go just as far.

I always remember seeing girls from the local private school when they finished going nuts. They turned into raving coke head slappers when they got out of school as they had been so restrained for so long!

Obviously that doesn't happen to all of them mind!

The guys as well, dealers would rip them of, charging them £85 for a £30 bit of blow purely becuase they were so niave!

I think a lot of people come out of private schools with little concept of life.

Answer 9

My brothers two girls are privately educated. They live in the Hale area. His daughter is close in age to my son and I see a big difference in the quality of education. At the age of ten, my niece is pretty fluent in French which has been taught to her from the age of five - my son won't be introduced to foreign languages until he gets to secondary school. I feel guilty also.

Answer 10

Hi Babysham, if your kids are happy and you are happy that they are doing ok don't worry too much.It all depends on what you know about your local schools and how much you can help them if necessary. I think the main problem in today's state schools is disruptive pupils rather than anything else. Provided your children are not being bullied and are progressing try not to worry.