State vs Private Education

rustybin

Because Grammer schools are also state?

nabby

Private school results wouldn't count towards the overall national picture in terms of school improvement. The government doesn't fund them, doesn't really regulate them in any meaningful way and so can't take any credit for their outcomes.

r21442

Because it's spelt Grammar, rather than Grammer.  I'm no major grammar nazi but that misspelling is amusing given the context

r21442

Except they do.

rustybin

What is interesting is that there isn't the same sensationalist articles (either on here or in the mainstream media) about those that choose to spend their disposable income on

German cars
Expensive or bi-monthly holidays
Pension contributions
Charitable donations
Property portfolios

Not too sure why that is?

MrNismo

Apologies. I was talking from a primary point of view, I believe you're correct for secondaries.

r21442

To succeed coming from a tough state school is damn hard.
Been there, done it.
It's not just the teaching but the school's ability to maintain discipline and exclude the nasty trouble makers.
In the 80's at school opposite Wandsworth prison as a small weedy boy, my main concern was physically surviving school and the trip home.
From what my teacher friends tell me, their powers to hold discipline are even tougher now as nasty pupils and their parents seem to be getting worse.
I worked hard to make myself physically tougher and academically stronger and made it to a state grammar school further afield for A- Levels, then Uni.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger......BUT.......I fear in case I put my kids in the same position and they're not strong enough that they'd drown.
So I've got help from parents to send my 2 private.
If you're lucky enough to have a good state school on your doorstep all well and good.
But from 11-13, to me it felt more like a prison yard.
Maybe if my experiences were more pleasant I would have sent mine to state school.

Coulson

Me too, Nismo. Carbon copy.

domtheone

I remember that the occasional concern about getting through the school day safely. Luckily I wasn't one of those kids that got bullied regularly. But obviously there were others who were. The prison yard would actually actually a pretty good analogy.  Not enough staff to look after the play ground properly, no authority to enforce discipline.
Overall, even the few good teachers are leaving or have low morale and the schools have no money. Then the government decides to add to the load.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Me too. Except the kids bit.

Both comprehensive schools that i attended are long gone, thank god.

Vile, nasty places.