Private education

It's most definitely an advantage.

Networking – look at the Cabinet and its members histories.

Hostility hardly matters when you socialise and work largely with members of your own network.

Smaller classes, better discipline

Didn't do Kate any harm.

I know nothing about privately educated people facing hostility in their lives, but to answer the question, clearly it depends on the alternative.
I have heard of a state school in Northumberland where one post has been filled by 7 different teachers in the last four months - walking out because of appalling behaviour by pupils.
I have always supported the idea of state education for several reasons, but I also believe that children deserve to be educated in an environment that will allow them to flourish and develop all their potential.

We went down the Private Education route with ours not because of the social side to it but because it worked out cheaper than paying for full time child care after they where 3 yrs old,they then went on to take 11 plus exams whilst DD failed hers the boys both got full burseries so it payed off for us with our DCs,they still all socialised with the children who went to the State Schools who lived in our area.

Social networking and educational advantage.

Not surprised to hear there is hostility towards privately educated people. Someone, somewhere, will always find reasons to be prejudiced.

There is a nasty anti-elitist culture in some state schools where it's 'not cool to be clever'.

We sent our children to independent schools for the education they received. They did not go to top flight Public Schools and do not have the same advantages of 'who you know' etc but still face being called 'posh' so try not to talk about where they went to school.

Our children started school when there were huge changes afoot and we felt they were better off not having things changing around them. We have talked on here about the quote from our local Education bod who said 'All schools will be open plan within a decade!'

We were founder members of our local SDP but were criticised for using the local independent schools, mostly by people who had used their money to move into middle class areas for the good schooling.

Very much an advantage Ylil I wish I could afford to send my grandchildren to private school. Mind you having said that, I don't think a private education can make someone intelligent if they are not.

My Old Dad used to say if you want to learn then you will learn and if you dont then you wont regardless to what kind of school that you go to.

Wise words Mey

We actually encountered quite a bit of hostility and criticism (how can you sacrifice your children for your principles, and the like). My husband went to Grammar school and did very well. I was educated in a country where there were NO private schools, apart from those for the ex-pats in Geneva and Zurich. Many in my OH's family went to top public schools.

We truly felt that sending our kids to private schools would NOT be beneficial to them. But, yes, we did make sure we lived in parts of town where they would go to 'good' schools, whatever that means (and what is 'good' for me maybe 'not so good or bad' for someone else). We sincerely believed that it is best for children to have to cope with all sorts of children, and to some extent to learn to cope with bullies - as bullies do exist in the adult world too. We also believed that 'prep' does not encourage children to take their own responsibility with homework, timing, etc. Because in adult life, there isn't always going to be somebody 'sitting on you' until you've done your work - so the sooner responsibility, initiative, timing, organisation, etc, is learnt - the better prepared to be autonomous and lead.

And we also believed sincerely that dividing society with private education is in the long run a recipe for disaster for society - where it is them against us, both ways. Where people do not understand how and why people are different, because they know and have regular contact with each other. The UK is a very divided society - with people from a very young age having little on no contact with sections of the population, and pointing the finger, or worse, at each other. So yes, you can protect your children from the outside, smaller classes, better grades, etc - but in the long run, I personally believe it is not good for the children and certainly not good for society - and dangerous for all.

When our daughters went to UNI, they couldn't believe how badly organised the ex private school students were. They could never hand an essay in time, and their behaviour re drink, sex, drugs, etc- was totally off the rails as they went berserk with all the sudden freedom.

The history of private education in the UK goes such a long way, but it is divisive imho, and is one of the important factors in our extremely divided society.

Mey I agree with your dad up to a point.
That point being where discipline has broken down, disruption and bullying are tolerated, and where there is a culture that learning is not 'cool'.

janeainsworth are you saying that these are the things that happen in all non private schools.

I often wonder when it all starts to go wrong for the children you are talking about janeainsworth. Most little children start school full of hope and wonder and most little children adore their teacher. At what point to the discipline break down and the disruption start? and why?

Granjura My granddaughters love school, they are both extremely bright and have lovely teachers, however if this had not been the case they would not have been able to move schools. My son and his family live in an ex local authority house on the outskirts of a council run estate. There is one school so no choice. Choosing to live in an area with the best schools is financially not an option for many families.

jane both of my children went to the school in Ponteland and some of the children from that well know estate (I am sure you know which one I refer to) where one of the schools are situated, were some of the most bad mannered, ill disciplined children I have ever come into contact with.

Alan Sugar born and bred on a Council Estate

Oprah Winfrey Poor upbringing, most highly payed women in America at one point.

J.K.Rowling single Mum and on the dole when she was writing her book

Leonardo DiCaprio grew up amongst criminals

Bill Gates was a college drop out

As said if have determination and want to get ahead nothing and no one will stop you.

I could go on but at this point I rest my case

The reason I have a small problem with private schooling is because I think ALL children are entittled to the BEST education regardless to their parents pockets.

I agree with you Mey but that is simply never going to happen is it? Those who choose not to privately educate their children out of principle (even when they can afford to) still "buy" the very best schools for their children don't they?

Granjura you make excellent points and I agree with everything you say except!

My son was diagnosed as dyslexic at the age of 7 (some 31 years ago when dyslexia was only just being recognized). The only help he could receive in the state system was one hour per week outside the school (removed from lessons and taken by taxi and verbally humiliated by his peer group as being "stupid").

So, we sought a private school that would help him every day and I worked full time in order to pay all the school fees until he reached the age of 16 when he transferred for A levels to the local Grammar School. He is now a confident, extremely able person with a good career...something I think would have been impossible if he had stayed in the local schools.

So, unless the state can provide alternative schools who can help pupils with learning disabilities, then some private schools will prosper in order to fill the gaps our education system...sad but true. My daughter is a primary school teacher and she tells me that the state system in her area is still unable to provide adequate assistance to those pupils who require special teaching methods, and what help there is available is deteriorating with more austerity measures.

Well there is a terrible divide but it is closing because we can ALL seek a good Education now and it is part of the Law that Uni's are not permitted to enroll just people with the perfect backgrounds or from good areas.(got this info from a Uni Employee)

Also when a new private block is bulit The Builder must by Law offer a portion of its apartments to The Local housing Association.