Top Schools

Sure but there's only so much a motivated student can do in an environment that doesn't entirely encourage them to thrive. (ie. a state school).

I mean, I was at a state school and all my class sizes were 30, whereas in the private school nearby they were about 15 to a class. This means a lot more 1-1 tuition and a lot more time for individual needs. Also, if the teacher is under less stress, they will work better.

Also I guess there is more pressure on private school students to do well both by the school and the parents due to the money involved. I know that if my parents were spending £10,000+ a year for my education I wouldn't want to let them down!

Not to mention the fact that most of the best private schools have entrance exams so they can be selective about who they take in, state schools don't have that option really so there are a lot of students with learning difficulties / just less intelligent , there.

That reminds me a lot of my school, bar obviously points 1,3 and 11. Shame some people want to shut it down...

As soon as I read the description of the previous posters independent school I thought 'Ah, won't be long until Lord H. says it's just like his school' Bless you - you didn't let me down.
P.

Is it not brilliant that a school like that can be free and run by the state? There are 164 left, and they are a dieing breed.

Is it not brilliant that a school like that can be free and run by the state? There are 164 left, and they are a dieing breed.

Remeber the following:

Teachers at state schools often have to teach a class of 30 or more pupils, of completely varying intelligence. There may be 10 people who'll be lucky to scrape an E at GCSE, 4 or so who're aiming for a C or a D and who do want to work, 12 complete troublemakers who don't care for education and 4 Oxbridge candidates. The teacher will have limited resources, face numerous bullying and other discipline problems and can't refer to a 'blackboard' because it's racist.

There is another teacher who takes a private school class. Everyone in her class of 15 wants to work; everyone is of roughly the same ability. It doesn't take her 20 minutes to calm the class down each day. She doesn't have to send people out for flicking ink. In fact, she could probably just give the students the text book and they'd still get As and A*s.

Now you tell me who's the better teacher.

If you are referring to Grammar schools, I have to laugh at your naivety.

A school which:


1. A higher calibre of teacher is attracted through academically and behaviourally better pupils.


2. Entrance exams mean that only the academically-able get in.

3. There is an intellectual atmosphere and ethos, produced by a mixture of the teachers and the people who go there. Academic success will impress everyone in the school.

4. There is rigorous academic setting even within an already small ability range.

5. The many extra-curricular activities and sports which are available keep morale up, and complement the academic side.

6. School uniforms, school traditions, and history (my school is 450 years old next year!) keep up a good school spirit and school loyalty.

7. High-quality buildings and a pretty site engender pride in the school.

8. There is a diverse range of backgounds; rich and poor which enrich the school.

What a load of pompous bulls***. Take a step into the real world little boy.

Sorry, could you just point out which bits are incorrect, please.

The fact that you sound like the brochure! Actually I bet you copied it from a brochure! Hahaha.

Seriously, this could be the advertisement (most of it) for any schools. The fact that you are so taken in by this brainwashing rhetoric is an sad indictment on you.

Any school?!

Of course. Schools will try to sell themselves.

But that is true of my school. The same cannot be said for the Burnley comprehensives. My school is like that, that is my opinion of it.

You actually quoted your schools website/prospectus?
The same cannot be said of our Grammars.

I think you need to come out of your rural cocoon.

No I did not. Kent grammars are notorious, but they still perform as well as comprehensives. In my area the three grammars are very, very far ahead in the league tables. I think Kent is as much a rurla cocoon as one of the former industrial capitals of the world (Burnley).

I'm not sure that you know Kent!!! (Re: Medway, Thanet).
Kent has the most Grammar schools, and thus there are not many Comprehensives, but the Comprehensives get better results for the top 25%.

OFSTED have made no criticisms of the selective system used in Kent.