Reply to: Hurrah, someone speaks some sense

[Cyberman]

Perhaps they "work" better simply because they are adequately funded, at a level that the country is not able or willing to do for all pupils.

Additionally, it might be that they score higher achievement rates by selecting their pupils, and indeed their parents, for success of the school; which of course is not an option for universal education.

Admittedly this second point is not substantiated, since it is quite obvious that a good independent school can, and frequently does, get acceptable qualifications out of the most intellectually unpromising material (as long as they can pay). Good schools for rich idiots do work.

Adequately funded ??!! I was reading last week that the average cost per pupil in the state system is more than the average cost in the private sector, at around 9,800 pounds. Perhaps we should just privatise all education and get better standards all round.

[TheBigYinJames]

So just because he teaches at a school that works (sorry "posh" school) then why is he

a. not entitled to an opinion or
b. necessarily wrong.

Or is it that you disagree with him for reasons for which you are just a little bit embarrassed? after all if he is as you say- some poshie- then you should be able to annihalate his argument by using reason and logic??

Nope. It's just a bit like asking Islamic Jihad what it thinks about Christian fundamentalism at the heart of US politics. You're hardly going to get an unbiased opinion. A polemic about the state of UK state education from someone who actually works in it would have been far more impressive.

You may as well have put up the headline "Cameron thinks Labour is bad" - might be true, might be valid, but not exactly surprising or original.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

They get decent school qualifications, and even university entrance, ...........

How is that different from targets/league tables as a measurement of performance?

[expat]

By what measurement?

They get decent school qualifications, and even university entrance, for rich dummies. That's their raison d'être.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

well the independent schools work a lot better than public sector schools

By what measurement?

[Moose423956]

Has anyone seen my camel?

[expat]

well the independent schools work a lot better than public sector schools so I dont see your point.

Perhaps they "work" better simply because they are adequately funded, at a level that the country is not able or willing to do for all pupils.

Additionally, it might be that they score higher achievement rates by selecting their pupils, and indeed their parents, for success of the school; which of course is not an option for universal education.

Admittedly this second point is not substantiated, since it is quite obvious that a good independent school can, and frequently does, get acceptable qualifications out of the most intellectually unpromising material (as long as they can pay). Good schools for rich idiots do work.

[DodgyAgent]

I went to a private school. I have no axe to grind about them. Unike posh headmaster there.

So just because he teaches at a school that works (sorry "posh" school) then why is he

a. not entitled to an opinion or

b. necessarily wrong.

Or is it that you disagree with him for reasons for which you are just a little bit embarrassed? after all if he is as you say- some poshie- then you should be able to annihalate his argument by using reason and logic??

[DodgyAgent]

And what do parents know about education? What experience do they have in running a school?

It would seem the most articulate parents on the school board will end up running the show; whereas the bright child with stupid parents would be left behind.

What happens if an influential parent doesn't like it when their vicious Johnny is punished for thumping some innocent?

What happens if the 'paying' parents take umbrage with the 'sponging' parents and demand their Johnny is in the computer club because 'they are paying for it'?

However the most glaring omission is the lack of commitment to academic selection- the only true gateway to a better world for the brightest.

well the independent schools work a lot better than public sector schools so I dont see your point.

[TimberWolf]

Bring back the cane

[NoddY]

And what do parents know about education? What experience do they have in running a school?

It would seem the most articulate parents on the school board will end up running the show; whereas the bright child with stupid parents would be left behind.

What happens if an influential parent doesn't like it when their vicious Johnny is punished for thumping some innocent?

What happens if the 'paying' parents take umbrage with the 'sponging' parents and demand their Johnny is in the computer club because 'they are paying for it'?

However the most glaring omission is the lack of commitment to academic selection- the only true gateway to a better world for the brightest.

[Spacecadet]

<snip>
skim read it seemed like old news
</snip>

This has been said by many people in various ways for a few years now

Teaching to the exam doesn't work
Teachers have too much red tape
Schools need more freedom to run themselves for the benefit of the pupils and the greater good

[TheBigYinJames]

Spoken like a true chippy leftie

I went to a private school. I have no axe to grind about them. Unike posh headmaster there.

[expat]

Targets have ruined education and the NHS while also wasting billions.

I agree with you (should we commemorate that in some way?).

I don't see anything in the article that is necessarily about socialism or state education. I can't speak about English state schools, but in Scotland it mostly works, because Westminster mostly stays out of it.

[Cyberman]

Targets have ruined education and the NHS while also wasting billions.