Sir Keir Starmer ate my Hamster…..

ronib

Growstreet schools and educational psychologists assess special needs? Not parents. Probably parents flag up difficulties but that’s a different story. Parents probably pay for private education when there’s poor support for special needs. Simple.

No, they don't. Not all pupils with a special needs label have been assessed by an educational psychologist - in fact, most haven't been and are still on a waiting list.

Parents sometimes pay for private education because they prefer their children to have a special needs label rather than another one, which might reflect badly on them. Some state schools have excellent special needs provision; some not - and some of the ones without good provision don't provide it deliberately because they don't want to attract special needs pupils because they're time-consuming and expensive on resources.

Such a caring and sharing society we have become - not.

Starmer has explained about his attending football matches, he
was asked to sit in the boxes because of security

Honestly, some of the things on here re children with additional needs are priceless.

Why, why can’t some of you simply admit that Independent Schools are a business, a privilege, an attempt to “buy” a better chance for one’s child. A good chance is deserved for every single child, not just those with wealthier parents.

Many children with additional needs receive great support in state schools, both prior to and after assessments.

More funding and more support is required for all schools and all children.

Cossy

Honestly, some of the things on here re children with additional needs are priceless.

Why, why can’t some of you simply admit that Independent Schools are a business, a privilege, an attempt to “buy” a better chance for one’s child. A good chance is deserved for every single child, not just those with wealthier parents.

Many children with additional needs receive great support in state schools, both prior to and after assessments.

More funding and more support is required for all schools and all children.

Excellent post!

So the same argument applies to parents who pay for extra tuition to cram their children for top selective grammar type schools. And then get 7 years of free good quality education. Mostly from the monied professional classes….Cossy why can’t you see it?

ronib

So the same argument applies to parents who pay for extra tuition to cram their children for top selective grammar type schools. And then get 7 years of free good quality education. Mostly from the monied professional classes….Cossy why can’t you see it?

Don’t remind people, that will be the next VAT target.

Or those who are wealthy enough to move to an area because of the excellent state school.

Every child in this country deserves an education in which they can fulfil their true potential. If state education was properly funded there would be no need for private tuition or private schools.

I quite agree Cossy and frankly some of these ill-informed comments on the quality of provision for children with special needs in mainstream and special schools are downright insulting.
The sector is struggling because of poor funding by previous governments, but the "private good state bad" comments could only be made by people with no understanding whatsoever.

Mamie In your opinion ……

ronib

Mamie In your opinion ……

I have to say that I agree with Mamie's 'opinion'. She has made sensible posts from a position of knowledge.

I don't think you at all well informed.

ronib

Mamie In your opinion ……

My informed opinion Ronib. Many years as a SENCO and many more as an adviser working in dozens of special schools in state and independent schools.
And you?

So looking forward to vat on private tuition?

There are about 5% of children who have very obvious learning difficulties or physical disabilities, which without any doubt require special provision.

I seem to recall that 'special needs' children with physical difficulties were, in the past, sometimes effectively ghettoised into 'special schools' for those with the same disability without any regard to their actual ability. It was pressure from parents who wanted their children educated in mainstream, not siphoned off into 'special' schools, which brought about an influx of special needs children into mainstream.

Which was not intrinsically a bad thing, as many children with disabilities such as vision or hearing impairment, or limited mobility, are well able enough to learn in mainstream with adjustments made to accommodate their disability. It was just taken, IMO, a bit too far. Especially with Warnok's fatuous pronouncement.

I'm sure you didn't mean it that way but it almost sounds as though you might support 'resegregation' of children with physical disabilities

ronib

So looking forward to vat on private tuition?

I doubt if many private tutors earn enough for their takings to be subject to VAT.

GrannyGravy13

I will say it again, Starmer fan grans really need to grow thicker skins.

I have always voted Conservative (wouldn’t if Liz Truss was in charge) Tory voters and my party have been vilified since GNs inception.

I am not a blind follower criticised when I thought they were wrong, and sucked up all the jibes some were at times very personal (to MPs, and GN members who owned up to being a blue), it’s par for the course.

Your man wanted and got the top job and he and you will just have to accept that everything he does and says will be under micro scrutiny, and rightly so.

If you are finding it uncomfortable, well gird your loins only another four years and nine months until the next election…

Exactly.

MaizieD

ronib

So looking forward to vat on private tuition?

I doubt if many private tutors earn enough for their takings to be subject to VAT.

I am off to Google whether or not tutoring companies charge VAT, they appear to be springing up all over the place here in the S E.

MaizieD the same could be said for small struggling private schools - but it’s still going ahead. 17.04 comment

I've known parents who are desperate for their child to be in mainstream schools, and others who preferred their child's special needs to be accounted for, as mainstream schools were too difficult for their child to cope with.

They were children who had been assessed, properly, and had difficulties.

MaizieD I support the right of every child to an education.
Education as a political football is as bad as the posturing about the NHS. These sectors should operate independently of the latest loon show in government.

ronib

So the same argument applies to parents who pay for extra tuition to cram their children for top selective grammar type schools. And then get 7 years of free good quality education. Mostly from the monied professional classes….Cossy why can’t you see it?

I can see this.

I speak as a Mum who learnt this as my older child did attend a very nice fee paying school from 3-11, I was a single Mum with just him and I wanted small classes and a school which would pick up any issues educationally.

I needn’t have bothered or worried, he was academically very able and was awarded a bursary at 7, flew through the 11+ and attended the same Grammar school as both my parents and where, many many years before, my maternal grandfather was Latin and classics master.

Many boys were coached within an inch of their lives and many dropped out and were moved to other schools.

Our other three children, who were born AFTER he finished at his fee paying school, had the benefit of me at home during the day as I took a job in a local 24 hour bank, rather than work during the day commuting to and from London.

It IS the same argument, people moving into a good catchment area to get into the “best” state schools. It is exactly the same.

IMO, every child deserves an outstanding education, not just middle class children in nice houses, near good schools, or those with wealthier children choosing to educate their children privately.

I’m all for choice, pay for your child’s education if you choose too, but let’s use their model of small classes, better green spaces, better facilities and think of more opportunities for all children.

Education and aspiration are the only ways out of poverty.

Whilst we are on that subject, higher living wages required, and govts should stop “subsidising” large companies with UC and Tax Credits!

ronib

MaizieD I support the right of every child to an education.
Education as a political football is as bad as the posturing about the NHS. These sectors should operate independently of the latest loon show in government.

How on earth would that work?

I meant “wealthier parents” of course, not “wealthier children”

I think you will find clinicians completely in favour of medics being in charge of the health service. Likewise I am sure educators would like to have control rather than government ministers who are completely wet about the ears. 17.20 Cossy