Emmanuel School... Post Reply

[supergirl]

If you are lucky enough to have found a gem private school and lucky enough to be able to afford it all the way, then our opinion (my husband and i) is that a private education is by far better.
What is said about being academic doesnt frighten me because coming from the french system i am used to it. I think it is a bit scary that is starts so early though (7-8 and 11+) but on the other end if the french governement was to stream the children earlier maybe the whole system would be more efficient? (I am prepared ti be flamed for saying that).

I firmly believe that this debate is biaised. What is talked about on this thread is peanuts: you are talking about outstanding state schools vs. Outstanding (for most of them) private schools for whose parebts ARE very involved in their school life and education. Those kids are bright and lucky, challenged and priviledge for most.

I dont see a huge difference between kids at a private school and kids at BV, HW, AllF, etc. The only difference is the money you ve spent on your house (to live in tiny catchments) and the car you drive (land rover seem to be very popular)

[KatherineHepburn]

When did private schools start being called independent schools? Is there actually a difference?

We'll happily be sending our kids to state primary and secondary schools. They will receive all of our support and enthusiasm for learning. As long as they are happy, we'll be happy.
They can choose their degree subject or university as they see fit and I don't doubt will go on to have great careers in whatever they choose. Be it banking, ballet, medicine or software.

This hysteria over private schooling has to be so tough on both the parents and kids. How nice to not be a part of it.

For the OP. My oldest has swimming lessons at Emmanuel and although it is through SWSS the grounds and facilities look lovely.

[Tinasan]

Northcote please - I have at no point criticised people for choosing to go private! I stated in my first post that I don't have a problem with it. I'll go further now - I was in fact, privately educated! I was just trying to point out that, for me and many others, the difference between the two (around here, comparing outstanding state with private schooling) is 'peanuts', as Supergirl so aptly put it Although I have to say, I think a fondness for Landrovers is pretty much synonymous with either choice around here And I absolutely take on board your contention that some people buy into catchment areas when selecting a school. At no point in this discussion have I suggested that this is somehow morally superior to going private.

I also think your chess analogy is a poor one: we are all interested in education and do our research carefully into all our options. I don't believe knowledge of 'Indy education' is a specialised subject around here! Anyway, I should probably leave it at that as I have the feeling that we are going to have to agree to disagree!

[jg75]

I have observed this thread with interest and think that the arguments have probably run their course, but just wanted to say two things:

1. It's not entirely fair to state that the comparison is between outstanding state and private. There are very few outstanding schools that are an option to most (bearing in mind that unless you live on/near Northcote Rd and have access to Belleville/Honeywell, or are a strict practising Catholic and fulfil all the criteria - including tiny catchment distances - for the 'outstanding' Catholic schools in the area, you are facing a choice of some pretty decent schools but with some issues (whatever they may be), or, if you can afford it, private). But the problem with the 'decent' schools is that, due to demand in London, they are oversubscribed too. So you face the real option of being allocated a cr@p school (and, sorry, there are some - whatever you say, it's true - ones with behavioural issues, high absenteeism, low results, etc).

2. To me the only difference between sending you child to aforesaid outstanding state schools and private schools is that you can get a mortgage on your house loan but not readily for a loan for school fees (correct me if I'm wrong)! Why is it becoming a moral issue? Why are the private
school parents having a go at the state school parents and vice versa?

It is strange to me how emotive this whole subject is. We are unfortunate enough to live in an area where we are not particularly close to any state school, we are taking a gamble with the whole state school system, and we finally panicked and decided to go private instead. We are fortunate enough to have a choice but it will be a struggle and I still lay awake at night worrying about it.

If I could get my girls into an outstanding or even a good state primary I would have no hesitation in doing so.


Oh dear, I had better stop this outpouring of worry!!

[ready2pop]

KatherineHepburn - my kids are both at a private prep and it would be hard to find happier children.

Neither I nor they feel any hysteria about it all. From our point of view we feel we are giving them the best possible start to their education (and we are fortunate enough that we aren't quite reduced to bread and gruel to fund it). They get to learn in a lovely environment, with fantastic resources, small classes, low teacher to pupil ratios and amazing outdoor space to play in. Yes the school also has a good academic record but they are taught in such a way that everything is fun for them.

I think the hysteria comes from those who aren't completely confident in their decision whether it be state or private and that's when the kids are put under pressure i.e. extra coaching for state school kids to make sure they do everything the private schools do, private school kids needing to get in to 'top' next schools to justify having gone private in the first place etc... etc..

Discussions like this thread is fast becoming can only really make that worse.

[metoo]

Back to the original question - one point that nobody has mentioned is that at Emanuel the pass mark for siblings is lower than for other kids.

We went to an open day a few years ago and the Headteacher mentioned the school's results not being as good as other private schools (at that time, maybe not now) and said it wasn't an excuse but to bear in my that their selection process sometimes produces a wider 'middle band' than the extreme top 95% selection process.

Having said this my son wasn't offered a place because although he passed the exam there wasn't a bursary for him (the pot is in great demand in the current recession). We rang and asked did he get a place or not - if we were able to find the money would he get a place- after much too-ing and froing they rang us back to say they'd looked at our form and we couldn't afford to go there!! I kid you not. Why do they think we applied for a bursary? After all that hard work I believe my son deserved a letter to say 'Yes, you passed the exam' and then we could have had a discussion about the lack of bursaries etc. We found it very shabby.

[metoo]

" mind" !!

[rooting4tooting]

truely an amazing debate. This has become a referance book for me. congrats to all.

[sandraletitia]

In brief, our son, an extremely competent musician, had five very happy, constructive years at Emanuel (his brother went to a more academic School and that suited him)
What Emanuel gave him was the the opportunity to get involved fully in School life - he played rugby for the School and spent a lot of time in the Music dept., performing on many occasions.
What the School ALSO gave him, I truly believe, was the confidence and self-belief to move on at 16 to go to the Brit School in Selhurst where he is coming to the end of his BTec course.
Although not currently studying music, his passion won out finally and he applied has been offered a place to study for a 4 yr BMus in Jazz at a Conservatoire.
There is always far more to a School than its results. I would suggest a visit, talk to the pupils.....
Couldn't be happier.