Private schools, yes or no?

[Twosugars]

Labour is thinking of abolishing them.

Idk what to think of it.
On one hand they have a toxic, classist reputation in this country.
On the other, in principle, why shouldn't they exist as an option?

Thoughts?

[Oliver_W]

They're not "necessary", nothing is necessary. But the option should exist.

Yeah, it sucks that there are lots of bright kids whose parents can't afford to send them. But it also sucks that some people can't afford to go abroad for their holidays. But unlike holiday companies, private schools have scholarships and bursaries for underprivileged kids.

[James]

I think private schools are fine because it is not wrong to pay to gain knowledge.

If private schools are abolished then there would be more demand for private tuition lessons, and wouldn't logically they have to go also?

Rich parents will always find a way to give their children an advantage.

[Oliver_W]

Also, mainstream schools are under enough strain, they don't need the thousands of kids across the country who are in private education added to their numbers.

Plus, a lot of people will be relocating, so they would be in better catchment areas.

[Withano]

Not personally. Up to each person though.

[Toy Soldier]

In an ideal world, the quality of education in mainstream schools would be high enough for private schools not to be at all necessary.

In reality, there are SOME wonderful state schools and some that are simply barely fit for purpose, and it's a postcode lottery, so all that would happen if private schools were outlawed, is that financially well of parents would move to the catchment areas of the best state schools. Which already happens to some extent. My eldest will be in high school in 2 years. Her primary school is excellent, but her catchment high school is awful. She's going for a private school scholarship but if not, we fully intend to relocate for high school.

So yeah to go back to the original point; I'd prefer it if every state school was up to scratch, but they're nowhere near, and the idea that anyone should "have to" send their kids off to a poor quality education even if they have the means 5o provide better, is quite horrifying.

[smudgie]

Choice is good.
Most of my education was paid for, primary onwards.
Both my kids went to amazing state schools, they were fortunate that we could move to decent areas for both primary and secondary.
Not everybody can afford to move, or go private, that’s why I am all for Grammar schools as well.

[AnnieK]

My brother and I went to private schools, we both got scholarships so my parent's didnt pay. We went to the same school but they had separate girls and boys buildings. My brother loved it and excelled. I hated it. Girl's are bitchy, rich girls are really bitchy.

I would never send my kid to private school, but if you ask my brother I am sure you will get another opinion.

[James]

My brother and I went to private schools, we both got scholarships so my parent's didnt pay. We went to the same school but they had separate girls and boys buildings. My brother loved it and excelled. I hated it. Girl's are bitchy, rich girls are really bitchy.

I would never send my kid to private school, but if you ask my brother I am sure you will get another opinion.

A lot of Corbyn's people, and himself, went to private schools. I wonder if that is a reason - apart from the socialism of course - for wanting rid of them.

[joeysteele]

No, in principle for me.

However I am with Toy Soldier on this more.
Until all State schools are of the highest possible quality.
Private schools sadly have their place.

Education however is one of 3 areas of government I think should be out of politics and be a concensus agreed policy cross party.
The NHS and Defence, my other 2.

[bots]

i always have a problem when opportunities are reduced in the the name of mediocrity. It reduces the standards that people can achieve. I don't like the elitism associated with private schools, but then, it does produce some very well educated people that are by definition elite.

I think the class aspect of private schools has to be removed, along with the implied entitlement associated with them .... those to me are the main things that need to be addressed.

I have a far wider issue though, advancement in the workplace is still not driven by merit. After all these years of pushing equality, merit based systems still do not prevail and I think that is the biggest issue of them all.

[MTVN]

Our education system, and by extension the people it produces, would be poorer without them so no problem on my part

[DouglasS]

A ridiculous idea.

It’ll just harm everyone’s education because it’ll put all schools under more strain, and having more pupils in general is more work (regardless that the teachers will move across also).

Also the government will lose even more money because part of the money private school parents pay goes towards the government. Why be willing to lose millions of pounds you could invest in other projects? Perhaps just spend that millions on public education

[Cherie]

Its good to have the choice, not all kids who go into private education have wealthy parents, some just choose to give up holidays etc to send them.

[GoldHeart]

Just seems stuck up , too expensive& unnecessary.
But each to their own .

But a regular school would still educate the child:conf::shrug:

[Nicky91]

yes, keep private schools

[Liam-]

They should be kept around, private schools themselves aren’t the issue, the issue is the disproportionate amount of opportunities handed to people who attend private schools, the social, class advantages need to be sorted out rather than taking away people’s education options

[AnnieK]

Just seems stuck up , too expensive& unnecessary.
But each to their own .

But a regular school would still educate the child:conf::shrug:

Agree with this, I don't feel I got taught any better than I would have been at a state school. Only difference was my school probs had better amenities.

I was offered my first job off the back of my school...I went for an interview and was obviously not doing too well until the guy interviewing me looked at my Record if Achievement and it turned out his son went to my school and knew my brother...I started the following week.

[GoldHeart]

Agree with this, I don't feel I got taught any better than I would have been at a state school. Only difference was my school probs had better amenities.

I was offered my first job off the back of my school...I went for an interview and was obviously not doing too well until the guy interviewing me looked at my Record if Achievement and it turned out his son went to my school and knew my brother...I started the following week.

Sometimes people are blessed in those situations Annie , it's good that you got that opportunity .

But in general i think these private schools are just showy and too expensive , obviously academically it can help people . But then look at University that's expensive aswell but can be helpful with further education but then there's college which can be just as useful :shrug: .

I just don't like the snobby attitude of people who think private schools are the best , there's people who have gone to regular schools and then left at 16 and got a job then had successful careers . It works for some and it doesn't work for others but that goes for most things in life :shrug: .

[Toy Soldier]

Its good to have the choice, not all kids who go into private education have wealthy parents, some just choose to give up holidays etc to send them.

:umm2: Unless they're on a scholarship, the family has to be pretty wealthy. Private fees these days are easily £15,000 - £20,000 a year. That's some holiday :joker:.

[arista]

Labour is going to Stop UK Tax Money
going to Private Schools


If they Win a Election
They going to Halt all Private Schools

[arista]

A lot of Corbyn's people, and himself, went to private schools. I wonder if that is a reason - apart from the socialism of course - for wanting rid of them.



No it's because they get UK Tax funding
that's what the Labour plan is to stop Private Schools


https://news.sky.com/story/labour-support-abolishing-private-schools-in-conference-vote-11817251

[Kazanne]

I think private schools are fine because it is not wrong to pay to gain knowledge.

If private schools are abolished then there would be more demand for private tuition lessons, and wouldn't logically they have to go also?

Rich parents will always find a way to give their children an advantage.

More or less my take on this .

[Kazanne]

A lot of Corbyn's people, and himself, went to private schools. I wonder if that is a reason - apart from the socialism of course - for wanting rid of them.

This is true ,one of the schools he went to is in our town so he is well known here.

[Kizzy]

Maybe the us and them reason is one issue, however private schools are covers for tax fiddles as many are given charitable status I'd say this is a reason too.
It would make it a more level playing field with regard to university entry.
All that said I can't see how it will work, rich people are willing to pay for education that's not going to stop. As long as all the loopholes are closed I can't see the issue.

[Oliver_W]

Who was it who said "don't abolish first class, abolish second class" ...

[Vicky.]

I think private schools lessen the burden on state ones. I cannot blame parents for spending a fortune for a better education. However, education in state schools needs to be improved massively, as the difference between the two is a bit much..mind, if state got better, maybe less parents would pay. I know some parents do it for exclusivity and 'look at how rich I am!!' type reasons rather than quality of education though..just would expect those to be the minority.