going private . . .

[minestrone]

We stay in a posh enclave in a generally OK area but the local school is a feckin dump which could only be mentioned as famous for producing Ian Brady. Kids will go to private school or we move 2 miles up the road.

[filthy1980]

Hi filthy, We looked at Highclare school just on the Sutton coldfield/ Birmingham border

fecking hell small world

that exact source of my OP

it was the 1st we've seen, so i'm keeping a relatively open mind until we see a few more, appreciate the heads up though

[Mich the Tester]

Quite. Seriously it's kucky you guys can make a living as itinerant jobbing IT people, because with your grammar and spelling you wouldn't quite fit in at a high level.

lucky

[DodgyAgent]

I am pretty certain that a lot of parents send their children to Private schools for their (the parents) benefit.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I am pretty certain that a lot of parents send their children to Private schools for their (the parents) benefit.

I certainly know parents where that's the case for boarding schools.

Isn't it funny how the use of "public school" on this thread has been synonymous with "state school" whereas it has always been used to refer to the well-known fee-paying institutions such as Eton, Harrow etc - another sign of creeping americanisation.

It does appear that many of attitudes are extremely tribal in the same way as what passes for political debate on this board.

[SimonMac]

I think there are pro's and con's to private education, you are not guaranteed a good education either way, there are a lot more variables, If a child is lazy or if the parents are not fully supportive no amount of money will help.

If public schools are that bad in your area then by all means pay for private school

[Pondlife]

A Public school in England/Wales is one that is not funded by the state but is open to anyone who can afford the fees.

Historically many schools were not open to everyone but only those who met certain (eg religious) criteria.

So for today's discussion you have public = private (i.e. you pay) or state schools, i.e. local comp where you don't pay (directly)


HTH

[DodgyAgent]

I think there are pro's and con's to private education, you are not guaranteed a good education either way, there are a lot more variables, If a child is lazy or if the parents are not fully supportive no amount of money will help.

If public schools are that bad in your area then by all means pay for private school

Whatever reason one sends one's child to public school the facts remain that private education is overall far better for educating children than state schools. facilities are better, extra curricula activities are better and the fact that teachers can be sacked in the private sector much more easily than in the public sector alone suggests that the teaching is better. There are always exceptions but one thick and wealthy hooray henry and one aspiring Oxford educated oik do not change the fact.
I maintain that kids from dysfuntional families should be sent away to the highest quality boarding schools even if fees and costs are the same as for Eton. Yes we cannot afford it but the fall out from poorly educated children in terms of welfare and policing should make this cost effective.
I have never understood why we as a society only invest in the brightest kids. In the private system your thick kid can still get a good education through which he/she can uncover and develop other non academic talents, whereas if you are thick and poor then you have no chance.

[conned tractor]

fecking hell small world

that exact source of my OP

it was the 1st we've seen, so i'm keeping a relatively open mind until we see a few more, appreciate the heads up though

Small world indeed. I bet we live not far from each other.

I don't know where you're based but The Shrubbery in walmley has a very good reputation and is slightly cheaper than Highclare.

[filthy1980]

Small world indeed. I bet we live not far from each other.

I don't know where you're based but The Shrubbery in walmley has a very good reputation and is slightly cheaper than Highclare.

i'm in the not so affulent area of north Bham b20, the move to the leafy posher parts in the B70's is a few more contracting years away or if i go down the private route, a few decades