State, Private Or Home Schooling?

[marie73]

Our lo will be going to state schools. Our local primary has an outstanding Ofsted report so why spend money on private school. I went to state schools although my secondary school was a selective all girls grammar school which is consistently one of the best performing schools in the country and outperforms most private schools. I wouldn't rule out our lo sitting an exam for grammar school. My cousins and I have all got degrees and professional careers as results of state education and I'm too much of a lefty to agree with private education!

 

[Lellow]

Does anyone know if Catholic schools take children from other religions?

 

[leelee]

We could afford private education if we wanted but we are going to choose state education. My OH and I both went to state schools. We both got very good grades at GCSE and A level, he went to Cambridge and I went to a very good university (though TBF it wasn't Oxbridge). I don't believe the "Old Boys Network" is as much in operation as it used to be, companies don't want to carry people in these economic times, your education and work experience will count for much more than whether your not you went to Harrow. I think going to a good degree from a good university is much more important than a certain school, and I believe a bright child will do well in a state school.

I have these kinds of discussions with my friends all the time, many of whom went to exclusive schools and already have their babies' names down.

Lol - I didn't even know there was such a thing as 'the old boys network'!!! It sounds really pompous to me and I don't think I would want to be employed by such a company anyway!

Not likely for me anyway as I work in the voluntary sector and it is all about working alongside people to improve their lives as much as possible!

 

[aob1013]

We could afford private education if we wanted but we are going to choose state education. My OH and I both went to state schools. We both got very good grades at GCSE and A level, he went to Cambridge and I went to a very good university (though TBF it wasn't Oxbridge). I don't believe the "Old Boys Network" is as much in operation as it used to be, companies don't want to carry people in these economic times, your education and work experience will count for much more than whether your not you went to Harrow. I think going to a good degree from a good university is much more important than a certain school, and I believe a bright child will do well in a state school.

I have these kinds of discussions with my friends all the time, many of whom went to exclusive schools and already have their babies' names down.

Lol - I didn't even know there was such a thing as 'the old boys network'!!! It sounds really pompous to me and I don't think I would want to be employed by such a company anyway!

Not likely for me anyway as I work in the voluntary sector and it is all about working alongside people to improve their lives as much as possible!

Me too, so i guess i get the best of both worlds

 

[Marzipan_girl]

Public school IS the same as private in the UK!
And yes, we will be sending Rory to private/public school right from the outset as OH wouldn't have it any other way. Not the most important thing to me, as I was mainly state and homeschooled. But his whole family were private/public schooled and he thinks it's education is one of the best things money can buy. TBF he kinda has a slight snobby attitude about it...imo lol. He almost seems to think if you're NOT from a public/private school, then you're not as intelligent...
I don't agree with this. I hardly ever went to school because I had various illnesses throughout my teens and ended up having to be homeschooled. Yet my GCSE's were ALMOST as good as his and I got AAB for A levels and he got AAA so not far off!

 

[louandivy]

I do not want Ivy going to a private school, I would like her to go to a good state school. To me the most important thing is that she does not grow up in a middle-class bubble of privilege! I just don't really agree with private education. That being said, if we cannot get her into a decent state school we may have a very difficult decision to make.

 

[littlepne]

Does anyone know if Catholic schools take children from other religions?

There were some Church of England children at my primary school, but Catholic schools especially are very focused on religion and our first communion, and confirmation took up part of our lesson times IIRC. I'm thinking of choosing a non faith school for my LO.

I think if you're in their catchment area, or if it's the nearest school to you, it's possible if they have places. Someone else may know more than me but I think it might depend on how many people apply for that year.

 

[sophxx]

isnt public school the same as private?

Yep, it's state or public. We'd like Oliver to go to public school funds permitting. It depends on whether we have more children!

No it's state school which is government
Private which is most afford able
Public is schools like eton stoneyhurst ect there's only a few in the country and your looking well over 30 thousand a year

 

[leelee]

On a side note, I live in a very affluent area and I take the bus quite a lot. There are a lot of public school boys on the bus and they are the biggest bumch of twits I have ever heard. They are so snobby, have no idea of the reality of life at all (from overhearing converstations) and are so rude.

I am not tarring everyone with the same brush but I have to listen to these boys on a regular basis and when they practically stand on my pram to skip the queue onto the bus it is hard not to laugh and think of all that money going down the drain when they don't even have basic manners!

 

[Marzipan_girl]

Does anyone know if Catholic schools take children from other religions?

They shouldn't do! I went to 4 catholic primary schools (we moved from Australia back to England and back a few times when I was younger, and everytime we came back the previous school was full up so had to change) and all of them required proof (baptism certificate, holy communion etc and a letter from your priest/parish).

 

[louandivy]

Does anyone know if Catholic schools take children from other religions?

I'm not sure about Catholic but I went to a very prestigious Church of England state school and I'm a Jew!

 

[daisii]

if i could afford private I'd send Will to private, but as I can't..... he will go to state school. We bought a house in an area with good schools so I guess that is how we invested in his education. I will also teach a bit at home (not in a pushy way though!!!!). I would also invest in private tutors if he struggled in english or maths in secondary school. I had an english tutor and it was the best investment my parents ever made. 3 months of tutoring and my grade jumped from an E to a B!!!!! Therefore i could do the A'levels I wanted to and go to the uni I wanted to. (though in reality I think it said a lot about the quality of my english teacher at school!!!!!!).

As i visit a lot of schools with my job I at least have insider knowledge of where to send him and where not to!!!!!

 

[leelee]

I do not want Ivy going to a private school, I would like her to go to a good state school. To me the most important thing is that she does not grow up in a middle-class bubble of privilege! I just don't really agree with private education. That being said, if we cannot get her into a decent state school we may have a very difficult decision to make.

I totally agree with you. I would hate my LO to live in a bubble. We have talked about bringing him to South America when he is 6/7 during his school holidays and doing a voluntary family placement. I want him to grow up with compassion and to realise that not everyone will be as fortunate as him. I also think he would love the experience of learning Spanish and mixing with other cultures.

 

[Marzipan_girl]

On a side note, I live in a very affluent area and I take the bus quite a lot. There are a lot of public school boys on the bus and they are the biggest bumch of twits I have ever heard. They are so snobby, have no idea of the reality of life at all (from overhearing converstations) and are so rude.

I am not tarring everyone with the same brush but I have to listen to these boys on a regular basis and when they practically stand on my pram to skip the queue onto the bus it is hard not to laugh and think of all that money going down the drain when they don't even have basic manners!

You're right. They SO are. I live in Barnes SW London and the place is riddled with public schoolboys who get on my nerves! They really are snobby and my OH was one of them although he has a lovely side too. And IMO they DO know how to have manners when needbe, whereas alot of kids from the worst schools are basically dragged up and have no idea about manners...
Not tarring all state school kids with the same brush either though

 

[marie73]

I do not want Ivy going to a private school, I would like her to go to a good state school. To me the most important thing is that she does not grow up in a middle-class bubble of privilege! I just don't really agree with private education. That being said, if we cannot get her into a decent state school we may have a very difficult decision to make.

My thoughts entirely but I'll fight tooth and nail and do all we can to make sure she gets a place at the best state school. There's certain schools I just wouldn't want her to go to so I'll certainly be doing my research.

 

[leelee]

On a side note, I live in a very affluent area and I take the bus quite a lot. There are a lot of public school boys on the bus and they are the biggest bumch of twits I have ever heard. They are so snobby, have no idea of the reality of life at all (from overhearing converstations) and are so rude.

I am not tarring everyone with the same brush but I have to listen to these boys on a regular basis and when they practically stand on my pram to skip the queue onto the bus it is hard not to laugh and think of all that money going down the drain when they don't even have basic manners!

You're right. They SO are. I live in Barnes SW London and the place is riddled with public schoolboys who get on my nerves! They really are snobby and my OH was one of them although he has a lovely side too. And IMO they DO know how to have manners when needbe, whereas alot of kids from the worst schools are basically dragged up and have no idea about manners...
Not tarring all state school kids with the same brush either though

I know and there will be some lovely kids going to public/private school as well, but it is just my experience on a daily basis and drives me nuts!

 

[Marzipan_girl]

Does anyone know if Catholic schools take children from other religions?

I'm not sure about Catholic but I went to a very prestigious Church of England state school and I'm a Jew!

CofE tends to be more laid back than catholic. xx

 

[Lellow]

Does anyone know if Catholic schools take children from other religions?

They shouldn't do! I went to 4 catholic primary schools (we moved from Australia back to England and back a few times when I was younger, and everytime we came back the previous school was full up so had to change) and all of them required proof (baptism certificate, holy communion etc and a letter from your priest/parish).

I was under the impression that they considered you if they had spaces left AND it states that you must be a follower of one of the MAIN religions regardless of which, however if you expressed that you were Atheist, they wouldnt consider you at all

 

[charlotte-xo]

i agree with a pp said who said if a child really wants to learn and do well they will do that whether they go to a private or state school. We could afford to send alfie to private school but to be honest we have just as good state schools were we live. I guess well fully decide when hes a little bit older. My oh and grandad went to rubbish state schools that were really run down but they both own their own businesses and are doing really i always think its not about were you came from but were you want to get to iykwim.

 

[marie73]

On a side note, I live in a very affluent area and I take the bus quite a lot. There are a lot of public school boys on the bus and they are the biggest bumch of twits I have ever heard. They are so snobby, have no idea of the reality of life at all (from overhearing converstations) and are so rude.

I am not tarring everyone with the same brush but I have to listen to these boys on a regular basis and when they practically stand on my pram to skip the queue onto the bus it is hard not to laugh and think of all that money going down the drain when they don't even have basic manners!

I'm amazed they catch the bus - thought they would be picked up by mummy or their nanny in their Chelsea tractor or Mercedes! Not cynical at all, eh!