State comprehensives; are they really that bad?

[NotAllThere]

I think comprehensives have had a bad press because they happened to be introduced at the same time that teachers were prevented from enforcing discipline in the classroom...

ftfy

[TheFaQQer]

Dunno - didn't go to one.

Sorry!

Only post for five weeks, and this is it?!?!

Welcome back, Jog.

[BrilloPad]

Now then, posh gits like me have an impression that state schools are full of obnoxious chavs who throw chairs around the classroom and beat crap out of anyone who appears capable of actually getting a 'C' for one of their GCSE-thingummyjigs, never mind 4 Grade A 'A' levels or going to Oxford or Cambridge. Apparently the 'students' finish school unable to read, write or do basic arithmetics, and there isn't even any teaching of elementary particle physics. Many of the girls end up pregnant at 14 and are twice divorced grannies by the time they're 28. It's not so much 'ciggies behind the bike shed' as 'crack cocaine behind the bike shed' and that's just the teachers.

It's a dark view and perhaps more than a little prejudiced and exaggerated, seeing as I've met plenty of state educated people who seem to be pretty happy, well adjusted adults.

So tell me, if you went to a comp, how was it? Would you send your kids to the same school?

No way my kids are going to a comp. Its faith school or private.

I went to a Grammar.

[Bagpuss]

I went to a Grammar.

LOL

[Bagpuss]

Now then, posh gits like me have an impression that state schools are full of obnoxious chavs who throw chairs around the classroom and beat crap out of anyone who appears capable of actually getting a 'C' for one of their GCSE-thingummyjigs, never mind 4 Grade A 'A' levels or going to Oxford or Cambridge. Apparently the 'students' finish school unable to read, write or do basic arithmetics, and there isn't even any teaching of elementary particle physics. Many of the girls end up pregnant at 14 and are twice divorced grannies by the time they're 28. It's not so much 'ciggies behind the bike shed' as 'crack cocaine behind the bike shed' and that's just the teachers.

It's a dark view and perhaps more than a little prejudiced and exaggerated, seeing as I've met plenty of state educated people who seem to be pretty happy, well adjusted adults.

So tell me, if you went to a comp, how was it? Would you send your kids to the same school?

There is a lot of variation intra and inter comprehensive school education. I imagine inner city comps might be as you describe. I went to a comp (ex grammar, not sure if that made any difference). Some of my schoolmates are non-skilled workers, some have trades, some went to uni, some did really well, one is a Barrister. At least one girl in the year got pregnant at 15, It may have been 3. I wouldn't have thought that was out of the norm since people did enjoy having sex, I think they still do.

I have friends who went to public school who did the same uni course as myself.My observations are the added value was greater self confidence in their abilities, better spelling, and 'nicer' spoken English, although that is debatable. They are decent people with good morals, is that taught? I don't know. Academically I'm not sure, maybe they acheived to their full potential and I didn't.

So are comprehensives sh1t? I guess it is like asking are cars sh1t?

[Mich the Tester]

There is a lot of variation intra and inter comprehensive school education. I imagine inner city comps might be as you describe. I went to a comp (ex grammar, not sure if that made any difference). Some of my schoolmates are non-skilled workers, some have trades, some went to uni, some did really well, one is a Barrister. At least one girl in the year got pregnant at 15, It may have been 3. I wouldn't have thought that was out of the norm since people did enjoy having sex, I think they still do.

I have friends who went to public school who did the same uni course as myself.My observations are the added value was greater self confidence in their abilities, better spelling, and 'nicer' spoken English, although that is debatable. They are decent people with good morals, is that taught? I don't know. Academically I'm not sure, maybe they acheived to their full potential and I didn't.

So are comprehensives tulip? I guess it is like asking are cars tulip?

So if people live near a good comprehensive they'd be wasting their money on a public school, but if they don't then the money is well spent. I'd have thought there are plenty of ways to build confidence. Army cadets, theatre groups, sports clubs etc are all over the place and can be very good places for kids to build the same kind of confidence they get at a public school, but at much lower cost.

Mind you, I've certainly noticed that speaking with RP is a benefit; somehow people seem to listen to the arguments of someone who speaks well; that isn't fair on intelligent people with strong regional accents, but it's easier to learn a new accent than to change society.

[moorfield]

So are comprehensives tulip? I guess it is like asking are cars tulip?

Our local comp is very well regarded. Giving serious thought to sending the offspring there and saving the money for when they will really need it through the university / house years. But don't have to make this decision for at least another 5 yrs.

[Mich the Tester]

Our local comp is very well regarded. Giving serious thought to sending the offspring there and saving the money for when they will really need it through the university / house years. But don't have to make this decision for at least another 5 yrs.

Sounds good to me. I went to public school, got thrown out and then went to another public school. I can't say the education was all that great, and I saw a lot of bullying and snobbery. BUT, Bagpuss is right about confidence and the accent; these things have been very useful for me. I'm convinced though that I got my confidence from other activities like sports and combined cadets, and that by joining the drama club I learnt public speaking; public schools have those facilities, but you don't need to pay a public school to teach your kids these things as those clubs are available all over the world.

[MPwannadecentincome]

So if people live near a good comprehensive they'd be wasting their money on a public school, but if they don't then the money is well spent. I'd have thought there are plenty of ways to build confidence. Army cadets, theatre groups, sports clubs etc are all over the place and can be very good places for kids to build the same kind of confidence they get at a public school, but at much lower cost.

Mind you, I've certainly noticed that speaking with RP is a benefit; somehow people seem to listen to the arguments of someone who speaks well; that isn't fair on intelligent people with strong regional accents, but it's easier to learn a new accent than to change society.

My daughter is not in secondary yet, she suffered from lack of confidence terribly in her first few years in primary, we switched to private school and it has improved immensely.

Everyone is different, different learning styles, different barriers to learning or socialising.

[Bagpuss]

Sounds good to me. I went to public school, got thrown out and then went to another public school. I can't say the education was all that great, and I saw a lot of bullying and snobbery. BUT, Bagpuss is right about confidence and the accent; these things have been very useful for me. I'm convinced though that I got my confidence from other activities like sports and combined cadets, and that by joining the drama club I learnt public speaking; public schools have those facilities, but you don't need to pay a public school to teach your kids these things as those clubs are available all over the world.

My careers teacher told me to go for a job at Rumbelows.

There is the difference, teachers who keep reinforcing the confidence or ones who kick you in the teeth and derive pleasure from it (state vs public).