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private vs state education
What type of secondary school did you go to?
State or private?
What were the pros and cons?
Where would you send your kids? (Hypothesising... or not- i.e. where do you send your kids?)
If you went to a private school did you feel you got ripped off? Or better life experience?
Any comments appreciated
State or private?
What were the pros and cons?
Where would you send your kids? (Hypothesising... or not- i.e. where do you send your kids?)
If you went to a private school did you feel you got ripped off? Or better life experience?
Any comments appreciated
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
1
Private school.
Pros: Horizontal house system; made several life-long (at least, I hope they're going to be life-long) friends. Got me playing rugby. Probably the reason I got as good A-level grades as I did.
Cons: Bullied almost throughout my tenure due to the fact that I played table-top roleplaying games. Parents had to pay a ****-pile of cash for it (although I did hold a scholarship, so it wasn't quite as bad as it could have been.
And I'd absolutely send my kids to private school, even if I couldn't really afford it. It's definitely worth it. Though if there was a fantabulous state school in my area, I might considering sending them there
And I'm not sure if my Dad feels ripped off. I'll have to ask him!!!
Pros: Horizontal house system; made several life-long (at least, I hope they're going to be life-long) friends. Got me playing rugby. Probably the reason I got as good A-level grades as I did.
Cons: Bullied almost throughout my tenure due to the fact that I played table-top roleplaying games. Parents had to pay a ****-pile of cash for it (although I did hold a scholarship, so it wasn't quite as bad as it could have been.
And I'd absolutely send my kids to private school, even if I couldn't really afford it. It's definitely worth it. Though if there was a fantabulous state school in my area, I might considering sending them there
And I'm not sure if my Dad feels ripped off. I'll have to ask him!!!
Reply 2
State grammar. We're the best in the world at everything.
Reply 3
State comp for me too.
Pros: I liked it, the teachers cared and (apart from the odd one or two) were very knowledgeable about their subjects, I met a huge range of people, it offered loads of extra currics, I did well in exams, and, yes, it was free. And also it was close to my house, but that's not really part of the school per se lol.
Cons: A lot of idiots, nutcases, and just people who didn't want to be there and ruined stuff for those who did. I had far more beef with the other pupils than I did with the staff, facilities,etc.
As for my hypothetical kids, I wouldn't have a problem with their attending a private school, or grammar school, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with going to a state comp, and hopefully when the time comes, state education will have greatly improved anyway. Bullying, obnoxiousness etc are encountered in any kind of school.
Pros: I liked it, the teachers cared and (apart from the odd one or two) were very knowledgeable about their subjects, I met a huge range of people, it offered loads of extra currics, I did well in exams, and, yes, it was free. And also it was close to my house, but that's not really part of the school per se lol.
Cons: A lot of idiots, nutcases, and just people who didn't want to be there and ruined stuff for those who did. I had far more beef with the other pupils than I did with the staff, facilities,etc.
As for my hypothetical kids, I wouldn't have a problem with their attending a private school, or grammar school, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with going to a state comp, and hopefully when the time comes, state education will have greatly improved anyway. Bullying, obnoxiousness etc are encountered in any kind of school.
Reply 4
State comp:
pros: made amazing friends, got pretty good grades, had lovely teachers whom i've become friends with and I'm really going to miss
cons: a lot of people didn't want to be there, made it harder for everyone else.
I'd send my children to a private school if I could afford it, but I wouldn't put myself into debt to make it happen. They'd also have 100% input. I'd want the best for my kids, but sometimes that means throwing them in the deep end of a scummy comp and seeing how well they cope.
pros: made amazing friends, got pretty good grades, had lovely teachers whom i've become friends with and I'm really going to miss
cons: a lot of people didn't want to be there, made it harder for everyone else.
I'd send my children to a private school if I could afford it, but I wouldn't put myself into debt to make it happen. They'd also have 100% input. I'd want the best for my kids, but sometimes that means throwing them in the deep end of a scummy comp and seeing how well they cope.
Reply 5
I just went to your regular state secondary school. Nothing wrong with it as far as I'm concerned. Yes, ok, so you get some twits who mess up the classes and make life difficult, but I came out the other end just fine. I'd be perfectly happy to send my kids to a school like mine, as long as it had a good reputation.
Reply 6
state school
pros: none really although it probably made me slightly more streetwise
cons: no disclipline, juvinile delinquents running around everywhere with knives, no other intelligent people to talk to, got judged a lot for being middle class, everybody was part of that ridiculous hip hop "culture".
I've since moved schools for 6th form, and my new one is a lot better, but I think sixth forms in general are like that, when I look at the lower years in my new school I still see the same 50 cent wannabes.
I will do everything in my power to send my kids to private or grammar school
pros: none really although it probably made me slightly more streetwise
cons: no disclipline, juvinile delinquents running around everywhere with knives, no other intelligent people to talk to, got judged a lot for being middle class, everybody was part of that ridiculous hip hop "culture".
I've since moved schools for 6th form, and my new one is a lot better, but I think sixth forms in general are like that, when I look at the lower years in my new school I still see the same 50 cent wannabes.
I will do everything in my power to send my kids to private or grammar school
Reply 7
14
I went (well, I go) to a state school.
Pros: Meet lots of people from different backgrounds; less competition so it's easier to shine, win prizes etc.; less bullying than some of my friends at private school have experienced; it's probably one of the better state schools to be at, in some ways.
Cons: Not being pushed enough to get straight As as they expect everyone to go to university in Scotland; lack of flexibility in subject choice; some particularly incompetent teachers; way too many people that don't care about exams (especially up until the end of 4th year, and then again in 6th year
).
I possibly would send my children to private school: I'm against it in principle, but in reality, the exam results are better. It depends on what sort of work ethic the child has; for example, I probably would have got better results somewhere with a) a competent Biology teacher, b) teachers that made me work, and didn't let me get away with stuff and c) somewhere where they wanted as many people to go to Oxbridge as possible/where it was the norm to apply to universities with high entrance requirements. But for other people, it's perfectly feasible to get good results etc. in a state school, especially an alright one like mine. So, I'm not sure really.
Pros: Meet lots of people from different backgrounds; less competition so it's easier to shine, win prizes etc.; less bullying than some of my friends at private school have experienced; it's probably one of the better state schools to be at, in some ways.
Cons: Not being pushed enough to get straight As as they expect everyone to go to university in Scotland; lack of flexibility in subject choice; some particularly incompetent teachers; way too many people that don't care about exams (especially up until the end of 4th year, and then again in 6th year
).I possibly would send my children to private school: I'm against it in principle, but in reality, the exam results are better. It depends on what sort of work ethic the child has; for example, I probably would have got better results somewhere with a) a competent Biology teacher, b) teachers that made me work, and didn't let me get away with stuff and c) somewhere where they wanted as many people to go to Oxbridge as possible/where it was the norm to apply to universities with high entrance requirements. But for other people, it's perfectly feasible to get good results etc. in a state school, especially an alright one like mine. So, I'm not sure really.
Reply 8
I can see this collapsing into yet another state/private debate.
I went to public school, absolutely loved it.
Pros: House system, community, responsibility, life-long friendship and banter. Opportunity and experience. Old Boys. Travelling.
Cons: Hmm...
Don't feel ripped off in the slightest. And yes, I'd send my offspring to public school.
I went to public school, absolutely loved it.
Pros: House system, community, responsibility, life-long friendship and banter. Opportunity and experience. Old Boys. Travelling.
Cons: Hmm...
Don't feel ripped off in the slightest. And yes, I'd send my offspring to public school.
Reply 9
I go to a private school and have done since I was 7.
I'm sure there are many pros and cons, but having not been to a state school since I was very young, I try not to say what they are as I've not had the experience of a state school so can't really compare. People are still bullied at private schools, and there's still problems but I don't know how bad they are in comparision.
I'm sure there are many pros and cons, but having not been to a state school since I was very young, I try not to say what they are as I've not had the experience of a state school so can't really compare. People are still bullied at private schools, and there's still problems but I don't know how bad they are in comparision.
Reply 10
10
Selective state grammar school, so kind of a mix between.
Pros: Good education without all the fees. House system. Rugby.
Cons: All boys until 6th form, but do be honest it's not really a problem with a girls grammar school down the road. Only real con for me is that I am above the average person in interlect, but in the grammar school I look below average, but its not a big problem.
In short, i think i've got the best of both worlds, and i'd love my kids to have the same.
Pros: Good education without all the fees. House system. Rugby.
Cons: All boys until 6th form, but do be honest it's not really a problem with a girls grammar school down the road. Only real con for me is that I am above the average person in interlect, but in the grammar school I look below average, but its not a big problem.
In short, i think i've got the best of both worlds, and i'd love my kids to have the same.
Reply 11
15
I went to a state school. Can't really think of any outstanding cons really. I know that I'd never choose to go to a private school though, and I wouldn't send my kids to private school (assuming that I will have kids, which I'm not planning on). I don't even know of any private schools around here, but the state schools are all really good, in my opinion.
Reply 12
13
I went to a state primary school and a private secondary school. The state school was rubbish and tried to hold my progress back, the private school was amazing and really pushed me, and if it wasn't for the teachers there and the atmosphere I probably wouldn't have gone to uni.
But then that's just one sample, there's some great state schools out there too. But I'd probably send my kids to a private school if I could handle the fees and if the kids weren't too stuck up.
But then that's just one sample, there's some great state schools out there too. But I'd probably send my kids to a private school if I could handle the fees and if the kids weren't too stuck up.
Reply 13
I'm at a state grammar, and it's been pretty good really, apart from the fact that they seem intent on spending all their money building new facilities rather than working on what they have. Personally, though, I'd never send my children to a private school, even if I could afford it, and I would only send them to grammar school if there no comprehensives available- may seem a little hypocritical but I've come to the conclusion that I'd have preferred to have had a comprehensive education.
Reply 14
I went to private school when I was 9.
Pros: pretty much everything - community, quality, good variety in extra curricular activities (ballet, equestrian, music etc), small class size, dedicated teachers, good pupil teacher relationships, hierarchical system gives you more responsibility in your later years, longer days giving you more lesson time....
Cons: can't really think of any...
I would absolutely send my children to private school.
I might let them go to state primary if we were living in a nice area and the school was small and had a good reputation, but I'd get them into the private sector a few years befor senior.
Pros: pretty much everything - community, quality, good variety in extra curricular activities (ballet, equestrian, music etc), small class size, dedicated teachers, good pupil teacher relationships, hierarchical system gives you more responsibility in your later years, longer days giving you more lesson time....
Cons: can't really think of any...
I would absolutely send my children to private school.
I might let them go to state primary if we were living in a nice area and the school was small and had a good reputation, but I'd get them into the private sector a few years befor senior.
Reply 15
16
My kid is getting the best education I can afford.
Reply 16
Secondary school: State Comprehensive. (Worst in county)
Pros: Lots of fun, some dedicated teachers, variety of people, made brilliant friends, great exam results, selection of after-school activities available (including rugby :P), sometimes small class sizes (people not choosing more academic subjects/not turning up), no pressure about what results you get.
Cons: Lots of troublesome scallywags, frequent bullying, not as fancy after-school activities, out-of-date textbooks, lack of materials, broken equipment, some not to dedicated teachers.
If i had kids, I wouldn't send them to public school. I don't see why my child should get a better chance of an eduction because I could pay for it. In addition I think I would expect too much of them if I had them go to a public school: All A*s, All As at A-Levels and getting in to a good university. To be honest though, I wouldn't want work hard to send my child to a grammar or a really good comp, just the comp they wanted to go to.
Pros: Lots of fun, some dedicated teachers, variety of people, made brilliant friends, great exam results, selection of after-school activities available (including rugby :P), sometimes small class sizes (people not choosing more academic subjects/not turning up), no pressure about what results you get.
Cons: Lots of troublesome scallywags, frequent bullying, not as fancy after-school activities, out-of-date textbooks, lack of materials, broken equipment, some not to dedicated teachers.
If i had kids, I wouldn't send them to public school. I don't see why my child should get a better chance of an eduction because I could pay for it. In addition I think I would expect too much of them if I had them go to a public school: All A*s, All As at A-Levels and getting in to a good university. To be honest though, I wouldn't want work hard to send my child to a grammar or a really good comp, just the comp they wanted to go to.
Reply 17
I went to a private school and I will be enternally thankful to my parents for sending me there. If I hadn't gone there then I'd probably have ended up at one of the failing state schools in my area. I only hope that I have the resources to send my children to a private school as I feel I gained a lot by going to one.
Pros: Much, much smaller classes than state schools. During my A Level year I was in a Latin class on my own, I was in another class of three and another class of nine. There were so many resources for us during lessons and many sporting activities (not that I'm a very sporty person, but at least there was an opportunity for me to become so). There was always a close link between the individual pupil, the parents and the teachers and there was just a great atmosphere. The discipline was also a big plus, everyone knew that if they became involved in drugs or other such things then they would almost certainly be expelled and it really did help us all to keep on the straight and narrow. The majority of teachers were also so dedicated that most of us didn't want to do well just to get into university or to please ourselves or our parents, but to please our teachers.
Cons: I feel I'm not quite as streetwise as some people I know who went to state schools and now that I've left school and I'm at university, I do, bizzarely, occasionally get a bit of stick for going to a private school. Oddness.
But, yay, private schools!
Pros: Much, much smaller classes than state schools. During my A Level year I was in a Latin class on my own, I was in another class of three and another class of nine. There were so many resources for us during lessons and many sporting activities (not that I'm a very sporty person, but at least there was an opportunity for me to become so). There was always a close link between the individual pupil, the parents and the teachers and there was just a great atmosphere. The discipline was also a big plus, everyone knew that if they became involved in drugs or other such things then they would almost certainly be expelled and it really did help us all to keep on the straight and narrow. The majority of teachers were also so dedicated that most of us didn't want to do well just to get into university or to please ourselves or our parents, but to please our teachers.
Cons: I feel I'm not quite as streetwise as some people I know who went to state schools and now that I've left school and I'm at university, I do, bizzarely, occasionally get a bit of stick for going to a private school. Oddness.
But, yay, private schools!
Reply 18
Just average state school.Yes i had some problems with being bullied but it doesn't happen to everyone. My siblings go to the same school and they're getting on fine. And its free. 
If i have kids they're not going private-if state school was good enough for me (i have 3 A levels and i'm working towards my degree at uni) then it'll be good enough for them (although i would probably be picky and make them go to the niecer state school..... 
)
If i have kids they're not going private-if state school was good enough for me (i have 3 A levels and i'm working towards my degree at uni) then it'll be good enough for them (although i would probably be picky and make them go to the niecer state school..... )Reply 19
Well I've been at an all boys public school for the last 7 years and I've really enjoyed my time there. The teaching staff are dedicated, we have wonderful library and research facilities, small classes, and the school has no qualms about academic streaming, which I feel helps everyone. The fees can be an issue, though I was fortunate in that they gave me a 100% scholarship, so my parents were spared that particular burden.
The only con is that it's all boys, and to be honest I think I'd prefer my children to go to a mixed sex school. Other than that, I absolutely would pay for my children to go to private school.
I do think one thing to note however is that there are comprehensives and comprehensives. There are some comps that are as good as any public school in the country and then there are some absolutely dire ones, it just depends upon the area that you are in, which is why the comprehensive system is so massively unfair.
The only con is that it's all boys, and to be honest I think I'd prefer my children to go to a mixed sex school. Other than that, I absolutely would pay for my children to go to private school.
I do think one thing to note however is that there are comprehensives and comprehensives. There are some comps that are as good as any public school in the country and then there are some absolutely dire ones, it just depends upon the area that you are in, which is why the comprehensive system is so massively unfair.
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