school choice......
Discussion
james_tigerwoods said:
[/grumble grumble]
I also went away to school, from 7-15. Tbh i quite enjoyed being away from home, essentialy living with mates and having a laugh, sure there are some bad times, but the positives outweigh the negatives.Bullying always happens where ever you go, if you are boarding you cant get away from it, but you just have to man up, i was told it was called character building and that i should do something about it myself, which i promptly did by beating the s
t out of the little fecker. I quickly learned that there is a cycle to it and if you dont stand up for yourself you're constantly a victim.Some of my fondest memories are from being at school, I’ve met some great people, some immensely rich people and have been given opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t have had due to their generosity.
Everyone has different experiences but just because one person has had a bad one, it doesn't mean everyone else has.
Mc lovin said:
Some stuff
I wasn't bullied the whole time - Being told to "man up" is all well and good, but when, at times, it's constant and racist and you've got noone to turn to (especially when teachers don't/won't listen or believe you) - it's pretty hard to cope with.Admittedly, this wasn't the whole time and I did "man up" during secondary school and put an end to it - I did have a good time (sometimes) but being away from my family was a killer. The worst part was when, at the age of 15 when I know in 3 months time, I'll leave and I can be with my Mum and Dad and get to know them again - my Dad dies, well, you'll excuse me for feeling bitter about that one.
I'm not saying that my experience should influence anyone elses choice - I just think that the choice should be made in the knowledge that while times might be good - there will be times when they're not and the child should be listened to and consulted at least.
My education was, to be honest, a good one - But if there is a local alternative that's as good and can provide grounding for the child, why go boarding.
Day private school - that's another matter, but that has its own pitfalls as local kids from the local "comp" might take exception to the kid that's privately educated. The child may find himself with no local mates as all his mates are at the private school 25 minutes away...
schmalex said:
Yes. It'll be a little tight, but yes.
I don't know your financial situation but think carefuly about the answer to that one. Can you afford 20-30k PA?? Thats what it costs as the age rises. It will be much harder to take them out of the private system later then start off in state school & move to private.I think that the best way is to state educate until 14 (if you've got a half decent state school nearby), and then private for GCSE/A-level. I think that private education is a waste of money for a younger child, and those that I have met who have always been in private education don't seem to have a very realistic perception about the world. I think that state schools make you more streetwise, but then privately educating for important exams means that your child is more likely to be successful.
Right....another way of thinking about it.
I've taught in a lot of schools with supply (25) and had a contract in a very nice "outstanding" school. Seeing a lot of places first hand has made me very cynical, both state and private. I would seriously question the ability of ANY school I've worked in to give a child an education....ie:- To think effectively and have a good working knowledge of all subjects. You either properly pay up bigstyle or you consider the finer points.
I have taught both Maths and Science and really, the subject matter of both is bitty, watered down and taught for tick-box rather than understanding. A private school may have teachers with better qualifications and a bit more curricular freedom, but you can guarantee that the kids will be as chavvy and horrible (albeit with slightly different speech) and the teachers just as jaded. State schools are pretty shocking.
I got out of teaching science as it's far too top down and data focussed to allow the teacher proper freedom to actually teach with his style, slant and coherent learning progression. I've seen courses gradually become more wishy washy and topical, which is all very well, unless you want to apply the knowledge, which most people won't......(who needs to do anything when you have computers? ).
I'd do some donkey work. Forget ofsted reports, all they show is how a school pulls it's finger out of it's arse during "oh st, we might get found out" week. Speak to parents... what are the courses? How good are they, how are the teachers regarded? Sadly, you will have to graft here. The most amazing school I've worked in was a Grammar and yet it was like a prison and the kids were scared to talk, let alone debate. The school culture is important and they vary hugely. Don't tar them all with the same brush. I'd say that most of the schools I've worked in are a much-of-a-muchness. You want to have a lively place which is going places with happy staff and happy kids and no Grammar skimming the top students in the area. If your kids are sharp, they will get in the top sets and even in stty schools, have the opportunity to succeed. DO NOT FALL FOR THE DATA DRIVEN RUBBISH COURSES OR SCHOOLS THAT "TEACH THE EXAM". No-one will tell you about this, you have to find out. All can be as bad as each other in this respect.
This assumes that you want your kid to actually be able to think and apply knowledge....as everyone seems to get 12 A*'s.
Unless you live in a st city area, I'd look at what schools have to offer carefully. Spunking money is just that and having been at the front of classes in private schools, I can tell you the kids are just as awful/stupid/rude/smoke/drink/take drugs/fk and swear as any of the others. Some don't really give a st if you pull the parents lever. It is a different ballgame.
I ask myself the same question and I'm not sure that the best solution is to go mainstream at all. I know that Steiner creates freaks and various other "forward thinking" places are hugely expensive.
Most of my education and original mind (I'd like to think) was due to my folks and what I read. I honestly can say I learned nothing at school, apart from in Science. One of my greatest reservations about the whole thing is how the job spec outlaws "interesting and inspiring" teachers to these dull and soulless "learning facilitators". It's all very well being "planned for learning" and having all your assessment strategies in place, if it adds up to a sterile experience, you end up with kids turned off learning, enthusiasm and motivation. The culture of a school is critical to this and there are no hard and fast rules to guessing which ones will be positive.
I'd leave it a few years, go private with pre-senior if your locals are horrible inner city chav-dens filled with scum.
When it's time for a proper choice, your kid will have developed a personality enough for you to see what his needs are and where he will fit in best. You then have to make the descision based on £. Always always look at the school culture. Not how refined it is or it's rep, not what the students talk like, not the prestige or gloat value, or the ofsted or the grades.
The place is totally determined by it's culture which influences how the whole place ticks. You need to investigate all your choices in a personal and informed way.
From someone who has seen people doing it differently both right and wrong, from city academies to private religion schools, there are those places where learning is inspiring, motivating, self starting and like lighting a fuse for life.....and there are those places which are a regimented, impersonal factory for the moulding and spirit killing of students by zombie staff in order for glory based on tradition and wonderous grades. Obviously the very latter have a bit of holding. I'd go for a place that nurtures an original mind, rather than kills it.
As Dawkins said, don't go by authority, revelation, peer pressure or tradition, go by your own evidence.
I'm surprised we've had no state school apologisers on here.
I've taught in a lot of schools with supply (25) and had a contract in a very nice "outstanding" school. Seeing a lot of places first hand has made me very cynical, both state and private. I would seriously question the ability of ANY school I've worked in to give a child an education....ie:- To think effectively and have a good working knowledge of all subjects. You either properly pay up bigstyle or you consider the finer points.
I have taught both Maths and Science and really, the subject matter of both is bitty, watered down and taught for tick-box rather than understanding. A private school may have teachers with better qualifications and a bit more curricular freedom, but you can guarantee that the kids will be as chavvy and horrible (albeit with slightly different speech) and the teachers just as jaded. State schools are pretty shocking.
I got out of teaching science as it's far too top down and data focussed to allow the teacher proper freedom to actually teach with his style, slant and coherent learning progression. I've seen courses gradually become more wishy washy and topical, which is all very well, unless you want to apply the knowledge, which most people won't......(who needs to do anything when you have computers? ).
I'd do some donkey work. Forget ofsted reports, all they show is how a school pulls it's finger out of it's arse during "oh s
t, we might get found out" week. Speak to parents... what are the courses? How good are they, how are the teachers regarded? Sadly, you will have to graft here. The most amazing school I've worked in was a Grammar and yet it was like a prison and the kids were scared to talk, let alone debate. The school culture is important and they vary hugely. Don't tar them all with the same brush. I'd say that most of the schools I've worked in are a much-of-a-muchness. You want to have a lively place which is going places with happy staff and happy kids and no Grammar skimming the top students in the area. If your kids are sharp, they will get in the top sets and even in stty schools, have the opportunity to succeed. DO NOT FALL FOR THE DATA DRIVEN RUBBISH COURSES OR SCHOOLS THAT "TEACH THE EXAM". No-one will tell you about this, you have to find out. All can be as bad as each other in this respect. This assumes that you want your kid to actually be able to think and apply knowledge....as everyone seems to get 12 A*'s.
Unless you live in a s
t city area, I'd look at what schools have to offer carefully. Spunking money is just that and having been at the front of classes in private schools, I can tell you the kids are just as awful/stupid/rude/smoke/drink/take drugs/fk and swear as any of the others. Some don't really give a st if you pull the parents lever. It is a different ballgame. I ask myself the same question and I'm not sure that the best solution is to go mainstream at all. I know that Steiner creates freaks and various other "forward thinking" places are hugely expensive.
Most of my education and original mind (I'd like to think) was due to my folks and what I read. I honestly can say I learned nothing at school, apart from in Science. One of my greatest reservations about the whole thing is how the job spec outlaws "interesting and inspiring" teachers to these dull and soulless "learning facilitators". It's all very well being "planned for learning" and having all your assessment strategies in place, if it adds up to a sterile experience, you end up with kids turned off learning, enthusiasm and motivation. The culture of a school is critical to this and there are no hard and fast rules to guessing which ones will be positive.
I'd leave it a few years, go private with pre-senior if your locals are horrible inner city chav-dens filled with scum.
When it's time for a proper choice, your kid will have developed a personality enough for you to see what his needs are and where he will fit in best. You then have to make the descision based on £. Always always look at the school culture. Not how refined it is or it's rep, not what the students talk like, not the prestige or gloat value, or the ofsted or the grades.
The place is totally determined by it's culture which influences how the whole place ticks. You need to investigate all your choices in a personal and informed way.
From someone who has seen people doing it differently both right and wrong, from city academies to private religion schools, there are those places where learning is inspiring, motivating, self starting and like lighting a fuse for life.....and there are those places which are a regimented, impersonal factory for the moulding and spirit killing of students by zombie staff in order for glory based on tradition and wonderous grades. Obviously the very latter have a bit of holding. I'd go for a place that nurtures an original mind, rather than kills it.
As Dawkins said, don't go by authority, revelation, peer pressure or tradition, go by your own evidence.
I'm surprised we've had no state school apologisers on here.
I boarded at an all girls school from 8-18 and am glad I had the opportunity. I would not change it at all. My education was excellent and the experience was tremendous. As some have mentioned, you do tend to lose out on local friendships but that has never been a concern for me. The friends I made I will keep for life and am still in regular contact a decade or so after leaving.
I believe my schooling gave me independence and I feel it made me a stronger individual. I would certainly offer the same chance to any children I may have.
I believe my schooling gave me independence and I feel it made me a stronger individual. I would certainly offer the same chance to any children I may have.
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