This article makes me very very cross!

http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/the-highclass-tutors-who-know-how-to-give-your-child-an-educational-bonas-9055654.html

Oh no, the article and my thoughts on the matter are quite separate.
I agree that parental guidance works over and above any school system. I'm just saying that the highest school results and parental and school pushing are not the be all and end all.

The trouble is I don't think choosing between state or private helps you much with those criteria, contrary to what a Guardian journalist might suggest! Family values are very important too.

I rather enjoyed the following article:
http://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jul/30/best-educatioon-state-school-not-private

With all the current discussions about grades, 11+, state till 8 and monitoring and tutoring to ensure over-achievement we seem to be forgetting the most important thing.
Is your child a nice person? Do they mix well with other children (including those outside of their immediate peer group!)?
Will you be proud of the person they'll become?
Do they have grit? Patience? Understanding?
Who cares if they get a billion A*'s if fundamentally they have a socially narrow vision and don't grow up to be particularly pleasant.

Just a thought...

YAWNNNNNN!!!!!!!

I went to private schools. They are ok i guess, but is the child's independent learning at home that really makes the difference.

Because of my Father's job I lived around the country and overall went to 8 different schools until I left school. I started at Fidelis School in Crystal Palace and finished at a 6th Form college in Durham.

I can say without doubt the worst school I went to in terms of pastoral care and education was Truro Public (sic) School a fee paying school. One size doesn't fit all.

However I do agree with the outrageous double standards of the last Labour administration especially Blair and the most obnoxious Harman.

I went to private schools ( primary and secondary). They are ok, but is the child's independent learning at home that really makes the difference.

My son goes to a state school and is always studying at home and have private tuition, but his inquisitive mind is what really makes him learn.

I think it's hard to make any generalisation Wheresmyschool. It may be the case with some schools but, there are some state schools that are brilliant, and there are some private schools that are not. I have some friends who put their children into a private school thinking they were doing their best for their children. The children did not do particularly well and they ended up moving the youngest to the local state school. She changed overnight and began to thrive. It's hard to say which is best. It depends on many, many different factors and is a highly personal choice.

Hi
I've got into a lot of trouble on this forum in the past for highlighting that private schools are "better" for children's education in terms of sport, drama, academic achievement, music etc. The list is pretty endless.

That does not mean I am a fan of it, I'm not, I hate it, but one of the most important parts of any battle, and it is a battle, is recognising the enemy and I think many parents are short sighted and believe state is "fine" when in many circumstances it is not.

I want to link to this Telegraph article.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10412144/Private-schools-are-blocking-social-mobility.html

One of the things I feel that labour should be ashamed about is that private education thrived on their watch and that we have a cabinet full of private school alumni who talk about social mobility but are a living example of it's total collapse.

Rant over but I do want it to be said

WMS?