The 7th rebrand in 18 months - is this one any better?

That was to GSM

zakouma66 Hear, hear!

LizzieDrip

GSM an IFS report entitled ‘Private Schools and Inequality’ states that ‘there are educational advantages to growing up in an affluent family background’.

There … I’ve allowed myself to be goaded!

I wouldn’t say that as a single mother struggling to pay the bills I was affluent, but I was supportive - support doesn’t cost anything.

GSM the report is talking about children attending independent schools - not those with ‘supportive parent/s’.

“Educational advantages in growing up in an affluent background”? Who would’ve guessed that?

Anecdotally ( sorry no film or stats available) I'm sure lots of people can vouch for seeing children from varying schools playing sports. Some were large, well turned out and confident.
Others thin, undernourished.

Feckless?

To read that word on Gransnet is one thing but for it to come from a Labour supporter is mind blowing! I assumed that sort of Neanderthal mindset had been left in the 19/20th century!

Would you have preferred me to use the alternative meaning for feckless, i.e. irresponsible Pantglas, because that’s what it is?

I don’t really know how to respond Casdon because although we’ve crossed swords on political stuff here in Wales I never had you down as someone who would use that sort of judgmental language.

It’s in the same mould as “if they didn’t spend their money on mobiles/fake tans/acrylic nails/booze/fags/bingo then they wouldn’t need food banks” IMO.

It’s the correct use of the word though in this context Pantglas. Who would commit to paying large sums of money for such a pre-determined long period of time without fully researching to ensure they could afford to continue to do so if there was a change of government and that government did what they said they would do? If this proposal was a bolt out of the blue it would be a different issue, but sure as night follows day governments change.

Many parents will give advantages to their children if they can, it always has been like that - unequal, some parents give educational advantage, even if it’s just helping with homework.

Later in life we see it in business as “Jones and Son” (or daughter) where the younger generation get the chance to take over the business. Jones and Son could be a couple of subcontract bricklayers or they could be Stockbrokers the principle is the same.

Giving your children in life is part of being a parent.

Katie59 I totally agree, why would you have children if not to love cherish and give them the best life possible.

Every best life differs from family to family

Using feckless to describe wealthier families makes a change from its usual usage on GN…

GrannyGravy13

Katie59 I totally agree, why would you have children if not to love cherish and give them the best life possible.

Every best life differs from family to family

Using feckless to describe wealthier families makes a change from its usual usage on GN…

The days are going where large numbers of parents sent the kids off to boarding school from 7 yrs old, a large number of boarders these days are overseas children. UK children at private schools are mostly day pupils. In both cases the private schools provide a much higher standard of education, not just in educational attainment.
Overseas children often have very wealthy parents where cost does not matter, they want, an “English” education. The parents will choose a school that suits their child’s ability, some specialize in academic attainment, some in dyslexia and other learning difficulties and everything in between.

Although I support taxing those that can afford to pay, doing it for idealogical reasons l do not agree with.

We have used all branches of education in my (blended) family (I was a Grammar School Girl, half brother was a boarder, half sister Comprehensive and my sister was a day girl (abroad) )

Our five had a mixture of Montessori, pre-prep/prep, day pupils and Comprehensive, depending on what we thought was suitable for each child.

Casdon

It’s the correct use of the word though in this context Pantglas. Who would commit to paying large sums of money for such a pre-determined long period of time without fully researching to ensure they could afford to continue to do so if there was a change of government and that government did what they said they would do? If this proposal was a bolt out of the blue it would be a different issue, but sure as night follows day governments change.

Many don’t realize the long term commitment of anything, relationships, loans, schools as well, personal circumstances can change so quickly, unless grandparents can make up the deficit, lifestyle has to change.

I guess it’s not generally known that the major public schools have contingency plans for relocating lock, stock and barrel to overseas locations. Many schools already have established satellite schools all around the world. For UK parents, I guess but don’t know, many children will now go to state schools and not fee paying. I think land is available in Southern Ireland for Uk students to use if push comes to shove.

Katie590

Casdon

It’s the correct use of the word though in this context Pantglas. Who would commit to paying large sums of money for such a pre-determined long period of time without fully researching to ensure they could afford to continue to do so if there was a change of government and that government did what they said they would do? If this proposal was a bolt out of the blue it would be a different issue, but sure as night follows day governments change.

Many don’t realize the long term commitment of anything, relationships, loans, schools as well, personal circumstances can change so quickly, unless grandparents can make up the deficit, lifestyle has to change.

You’re right, but educating your child privately is a very large financial commitment. You have choices before you commit: they can start their secondary private education at 11, they can move to a private school at 13, or they can do just their A levels at a private school (18% of students apparently do this). So why would anybody make such a huge financial decision and send them at 11 without fully thinking it through. If you can’t afford something, or know it will push you to your financial boundaries, and it’s non-essential, why would you do that unless you were indeed feckless?

Of course most parents want to give their children the best opportunities, but the fact that fee paying schools offer far greater opportunities highlights the inequalities in our society , UK is one of the most unequal. The largest number of independent school is in London, where most of the wealth of the country lies. Such inequalities are getting bigger. Levelling up anyone?

TBH it’s the inequality that I find deeply depressing, and the fact that many people just don’t seem to ‘get it’. You know the phrase ‘when you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression’. So sad

So you would prefer that the choice of fee-paying schools just wasn’t available?

GSM I am realistic enough to accept that won’t happen. 40 years of Neoliberalism (including Blair’s New Labour) has turned the UK into a population of consumers. What I would like is for our society to function in a way that ensures people pay their fair share and tax loopholes are closed; public services work for the good of all; buying privilege is the exception not the norm; and the vulnerable are treated with respect. It doesn’t feel like a lot to ask … but, in reality, it probably is.

It's something to work towards LizzieDrip instead of the politics of "they're all the same, change isn't' possible" narrative which pervades so much thinking.
Give Labour a chance, with realistic expectations that things will take a long time.

vegansrock

Of course most parents want to give their children the best opportunities, but the fact that fee paying schools offer far greater opportunities highlights the inequalities in our society , UK is one of the most unequal. The largest number of independent school is in London, where most of the wealth of the country lies. Such inequalities are getting bigger. Levelling up anyone?

UK is one of the most unequal.

That is rubbish go to India, China or indeed any developing or third world country.
The elite have everything, the business and professional class have many choices, the poor have abject poverty, that is assuming there is not a war going on.

You’re right Wyllow. I don’t subscribe to the ‘all the same’ narrative and I will, of course, give Labour my vote. TBH I think I’m just tired of this government & this unequal society, which seems to get worse every day.

‘People pay their fair share and tax loopholes are closed’. I strongly suspect that means higher earners paying far more tax than they currently do, and the abolition of all legal tax avoidance schemes including ISAs. Probably taking the rate of inheritance tax to 100% too, so that nobody may benefit from inherited wealth, and ensuring that the boss doesn’t earn much more than the worker on the shop floor. This is typical old Labour thinking.