State versus private - which provides best education? Post Reply

[Honeymummy]

Hi, I've actually written a piece about my personal experience in private schools (as a child in France). It was years ago (!) but, overall it's still something that could be lived as of now.

http://www.genevafamilydiaries.net/neig ... en-rangee/

[twice_as_nice]

Hi honey mummy

I really liked your blog, really interesting to hear your experiences from your schooling.... It's precisely the sort of thing I'm concerned about with private school education - especially the confidence issue and being one of many bright children rather than being at the top of the class in a state school.

It's interesting that some people believe that private school improves confidence and public speaking - whilst that may be true for the majority, probably not so for those who are naturally more introverted and shy I imagine. Plus, I think there's a really fine line between confidence and arrogance which I think private schools can tend to build.

At the end of the day, the answer is probably that the best education does depend on the child and your circumstances. Secondary school is a whole other ball game....

[supergirl]

I firmly believe that what is best for one child might nit br the best for snother.

I went to private schools in france for primary and secondary and my experience from this was not remotely similar to the one of honeymummy.
For me, my private school (same all the way through except 3 yrs sbroad) gave me a sense of security, teachers cared about our wellbeing as well as our achievements. They were there for us, the head even told my parents off for putting too much pressure on me
I agree there was some arrogant brats, but like everywhere you cannot relate and like everyone and it is ok.

Judging one system from another solely based on people's experience or generalisation wont give you the full picture. Go and view the schools, talk to the kids there, see what is right for your child.

[Honeymummy]

It really depends on the child, and for my own kids I would try to base my choice on the environment where they are confident and where I also feel good to leave them. It could be private or state. I tried to change school when I was young (there were some good state schools there with a more 'normal' urban feel, but they wouldn't have space for someone coming from a private school).

[motherbear]

Very strong opinions and one would have to advise...the right school is the right school for you and your child, there is not a 'better or worse' depending on private or state...every school is so so so different

I would say however that in my many years as a primary school teacher, private tutor and now teacher trainer and lecturer in primary education...you do NOT always 'get what you pay for' in private. Often the weaker teachers end up working there, sometimes those who are not actually qualified. The standards are not necessarily higher nor the provision better.....rather the opposite at times

Parenting is important as is quality teaching and it is not as simple as saying private is better or state is better....but a well rounded individual who is aware that we are all different and not all privileged is pretty important, no?

[APRILJ]

I agree with many of the posts here.

When it comes down to it, if you can afford to send your child/children to a private school then do it. Remember that the worst thing is to put them in to a private school then take them out. Do the sums but remember all the extras ie. music, trips, clubs, uniform etc...

You must not do it at the expense of your happiness.

Good-luck

[janee]

In terms of GCSEs the difference between state schools and private schools is very little. This is slightly distorted because some private schools don't report results, either because they do the International Baccalaureate or because they don't publish data which enables you to make a proper comparison (such as the %age of students making expected progress). As with state schools, some private schools are good and some are worse than any state school I have known!

There was some research years back which showed that if you compared state educated students with privately educated students with similar 'A' level grades, those who went to state schools got better degrees.

[coldatchristmas]

Couldn't agree more.

It kind of proves that private kids have that last bit "squeezed" out of them and so they will tend to be at their potential and when that falls away their performance suffers.

It was explained to me that if you go to a "good" comprehensive versus a "good" private school then you should achieve the next "level" of university.

So if you got into Leeds with a comp you'd get into Warwick with private

If you got into Warwick with a comp you'd get into Oxbridge private etc etc

[EHMorris]

I think it depends on the school/s in question - saying that a state or private education is better or worse is quite a blanket statement, unless you have very strongly socialist principles or vice versa and would not consider state or private full stop. That and finances!

[MelC]

I came from a working class council estate, yet was lucky to be accepted into the best State school in Scotland. I did OK. Went to Uni and got a good job afterwards. So I have been through the state system and I did OK. Now for my kids I want them to do amazingly well, where there is nothing that holds them back. I am afraid that dreams and possibilities are just nurtured much more in private vs state. State is about doing as well as you can. Private is about being the best. The latter giving much more pressure and deepening on your character- will end up with better results.

I know what the best of the best is for State- and let me tell you its not that great! Now the grammar system (we don't have up North) could be different.

So net net, I will fork out the money to send my kid to private school and I will make it my job to keep her feet on the ground and to treat everyone equally and with lots of respect. If I can let them do the schooling and I focus on my kids values I think private will be better in the long run.

[ready2pop]

Completely agree with the last post. I went to a normal state school and got into Oxford so you can do well. But I was lucky and very self-disciplined. I want my kids to have the best chances in life they can, so we will scrimp and save to give them a private education.

[AbbevilleMummy]

I went to a mix of private and state schools and my husband went to an elite prep school and then private secondary.

I think that a private education often provides a greater breadth of learning. When my husband was 7 he was learning latin and greek mythology! Whilst I performed better academically than him, his knowledge as an adult is far broader than mine. His language skills and vocabulary are amazing (probably due to the latin at such a young age!) and his public speaking, confidence, eloquence etc far exceeds myself and most others I come into contact with!

I realise that not all of this will be due to his education, but I think that the fact that private schools are not restricted by the national curriculum is a huge advantage. The more varied the subjects that are taught to my children when they are young, the better, in my opinion. As there is a greater chance of hitting upon something that they are naturally fantastic at or a subject that really sets them alight.

Therefore I will be pulling out all the stops in my career to provide them with the best eduction I can afford. And at the end of the day, is there a better way to spend my hard earned than on providing my kids with the best start?

[Writerlady]

Totally agree with last two posts, specially AbbevilleMummy. An education from an excellent private school is about so much more than exam results blah blah. It's about developing your character, studying a huge breadth of subjects, ancient and modern, drama, music, sport, public speaking, poise, etc. People get so hung up on exam results and which university might lead to which career, etc. This is so short term in my view, and in the span of life makes up only one part of 'an excellent education'. However good the state school, and of course there are many, I just don't think they can offer all of this.

[stayathomemuminsw11]

Oooh another interesting debate!

I myself went to an independent prep school, followed by going to a pretty well regarded senior boarding school, followed by Bristol Uni. My husband went to an average state primary, followed by a very good independent day school, followed by uni at Imperial.

I definitely think that, although at the time I couldn't see it (!) my senior school equipped me with all sorts of skills (similar things to what Abbeville Mummy mentions), and gave me lots of practice at public speaking, interviewing skills, how to talk to adults etc that were definitely useful to me. I do also think that some professions do still favour a private school education (at secondary level).

However, we have 1 daughter who is due to start school next September (2013) and a baby on the way. She will be going to our local state primary. (Mind you, it IS a very good one, and we did move here ((properly move here!)) with that in mind).

Put simply, there is absolutely NO way we can afford private school fees at this stage. My husband has a good job, and I didn't go back to work after baby #1 (although do bits and pieces from home) and we just can't afford it.

As an ex teacher (primary) myself, I can tell you that SO much of what's important at primary level is what goes on at home. Reading to your children, taking them to places of interest, going through homework together, not letting them watch too much TV, having fun and interesting discussions about what is going on in the world-these things really matter, and if a child is getting this then in my opinion, as long as the school is also of a reasonable standard, and the teachers are motivated and interested, there is not a huge difference in the quality of education between state and private at primary level. Of course, this is a generalisation, but I believe it to be broadly true.

Also bear in mind that primary teachers in state schools have to have carried and (and passed) teacher training, whereas private schools will (not often now, but it still happens) take on unqualified teachers who simply have a degree, with no formal teacher training (this is what I did!)

Admittedly, we are already thinking that we will have to have a private tutor for our daughter in the last couple of years of primary, to get her in to a good independent secondary school, which is what we want for her.

Financially, it's going to be a big struggle, which is why we're making plans for that now. I do want her to have the same sort of secondary education as my husband and myself had (not boarding though), and I do think that it is a huge benefit for all sorts of reasons, including all the fantastic extras they offer, and 'skills for life' for want of a better phrase.

THAT SAID I also believe that there are MANY, many people (many of my good friends included) who went to a 'normal' school (i.e. a comprehensive) who have done fantastically well, more than I could ever hope to achieve! Similarly, I have friends from school who have gone on to do nothing with their lives because they will just get bailed out by someone (parents, usually!) and have no sense of wanting to do well.

It is a very interesting topic!

[sw11_]

Hope no one minds me reviving an old post but its the best thread of its kind that I have found. We are currently debating private vs state for our daughter and just can't decide. There seem so many pros/cons for both.

My biggest concern with state is large class sizes (so my daughter doesn't get such a tailored education) and that she won't get so much training on soft skills like public speaking. I guess i also worry that it will restrict our options for secondary school. My biggest concern with private is that my daughter will spend her whole life doing homework and will find life very hard work from an early age (4?). Are these concerns unfounded? Am I just stereotyping?

If it makes any difference our state option is Belleville and private options are (eaton house and Wandsworth prep - guaranteed places) and Thomas's Clapham (guaranteed assessment).

Finally one thing I've recently been made aware of is that it might be advantageous for girls to go to school just with girls - at least for primary. Apparently at a young age some girls find boys disruptive and annoying in class. I guess this is where Eaton house has its advantages. I don't much fancy their slightly OTT school uniform though!