Cheer up, Bridget, your lucky day is nigh!

An in law tells me that in Germany you get a tax break capped at €5,000 towards private school fees as they correctly recognise that you are saving the state money by sending your child to a private school. Common sense approach, Labour would never apply common sense to any of their policies sadly.

Like so many areas, State Education has been underfunded for years.

Yes, there are some great examples of academies that provide, often through the efforts of parents or very talented staff, an adequate and imaginative education (a few miles from me is one of the top rated academies in the country for performing and musical arts).

However this school is of need of major structural repairs neglected for a long time.

In general as well as the fabric of the buildings and equipment for some subjects, class sizes are too big, there isn't enough support for special needs provision and classroom assistants, there are teacher shortages in some schools in key areas because of the stress of coping as teachers in conditions people on here have described as happening to themselves or their children.

Our society needs a "good enough for all" all education system to function well socially and economically for the 93% of us/our families not accessing private schools.

On GN we've spoken so often about having capacity to offer technical and pre-apprenticeship courses not just academic ones. Everyone agreed.

Surely it's obvious - in order to get this we have to pay for it. This doesn't come free.

We've discussed on GN failures in safeguarding reporting and again, staff time to really follow up on children in need. This dissent come free either.

Yes, of course the government need to chase the rich tax avoiders, that goes without saying. what makes posters think they aren't?

Much of the VAT on schools will come from people well able to afford it. So much is needed, and the VAT on schools is part of the jigsaw of trying to improve the current situation. Progress will be slow, it cant be any other way.

And?
People are taxed on their incomes.
It's a thing.

People sending their children and/or grandchildren to private schools have paid tax on their income already. I am guessing here but a fair few will be in the 40% bracket.
100% GrannyGravy13.

We were a state school at that time. I’m not suggesting it was the norm. There are many state schools in dire situations
There are no doubt "some" state schools with good facilities and specialist teachers, but not usually all in the one setting. This is where it comes back to parental choice. You choose the school that can offer the full package, and there are plenty of these in the private sector. In a state school the pool of pupils, (and, for clarity, I don't mean the Olympic sized one!), even wanting to practise say whitewater canoeing is very tiny, so employing a BCAB coach wouldn't be feasible. Independent schools do.
My DGD and GS don't even have PE teacher at their state primary. The class teacher does ALL, and that includes French and Music. I take my hat off to her/him, but it isn't "specialist".

J52

Sorry for some missed plurals! Trying to cook lunch at the same time!

I blame the stylus!

I was replying to the implication that “ state schools will never have the specialist teaching expertise found in the independent sector”. Also that state schools wouldn’t have the specialised facilities.

I took that to mean that the funding is simply not available for what successive governments consider to be non-essential 'extras'. The LA where my DGC go to school (and where my DC did years ago) was one of the last to axe funding for music services but, alas, that has gone along with many other 'extras' which were offered.

Sorry for some missed plurals! Trying to cook lunch at the same time!

We were a state school at that time. I’m not suggesting it was the norm. There are many state schools in dire situations.
I was replying to the implication that “ state schools will never have the specialist teaching expertise found in the independent sector”. Also that state schools wouldn’t have the specialised facilities.
In order to get ours we had to fund raise, bid for grants that matched any government funding.
I would also mention that private schools do not have to employ fully qualified staff.
I personally don’t have anything against private education if that what a parent wants. I myself was educated at a selective Voluntary Aided Grammar school and my husband at a well known independent London boys school. We sent our sons to state schools.

Was that an Academy or a State school, J52?

If so and that is the norm, why all the controversy about the Tories neglecting state education?

Was the decline in education under the Tories a myth perpetuated by Labour?

For a decade we have seen the effects of the Tories’ neglect and underfunding of education, says Kate Green MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Education
September 2021

If your school is an example of good State education then what is the truth?

MaizieD

escaped

I agree Casdon that state schools will never ever have the specialist teaching expertise found in the independent sector. I don't just mean in academic subjects, but in Sport, Music, Art, Drama etc. It also needs specialist facilities to take children with exceptional talents to the highest level, and this requires real estate and state of the art premises. Most parents at private schools won't want to make their children poorer in their sporting and cultural life, so they will pay more knowing that their children are receiving the best of the best that can never be equalled by a state school.

I don't intend to join this utterly pointless discussion any further but I've read most of the posts and if vegansrock's post was deemed to be insulting to private school pupils I feel that this one is the other side of the coin and is extremely insulting to state school teachers and to state schools which provide an excellent all round education.

I'm surprised that none of the teachers or former teachers posting on here has pulled escaped up on it.

Yes I read this as an offensive generalisation.
The last 15 - 19 state upper school where I was Assistant Principal had a theatre, recording studio, and all weather sports pitches. We were next door to a public Olympic size swimming pool. Apart from the student that went to University, we often had students go on to RADA and the Central School of Speech and Drama. Also we had strong links with Cambridge colleges.
I could name famous Alumni but that would breach my identity.
I was responsible for SEND and the Able and More Able remit, both frequently recognised as outstanding.
I’m sure there are many state secondary schools doing the same.

It at.. my fingers are on strike today.

Oh 'eck!
I better look at up too.

I looked it up
No, can't see you as that MissA!

I'm a feckler, that's my speciality, Allira. If you need something feckled I'm your woman.

Not a heckler!

Oh. Thank you. (Pay your taxes, though )

MissAdventure

I've absolutely no doubt I'll be targeted.

I have been many times over the years, none of it my doing, none of it because I'm feckless , stupid, or lazy.

I have the placards ready to paint - marching might be difficult but I'll give it a go. I can shout and heckle!
Tell me what to say.

MissAdventure

I've absolutely no doubt I'll be targeted.

I have been many times over the years, none of it my doing, none of it because I'm feckless , stupid, or lazy.

You are none of those things MissA

From the little I know of you, you are an extremely kindhearted and generous soul 😘

I've absolutely no doubt I'll be targeted.

I have been many times over the years, none of it my doing, none of it because I'm feckless , stupid, or lazy.

Allira unfortunately as I have previously posted Labour have not got the balls to go after the big boys who consistently avoid their tax commitments via highly paid tax accountants.

Middle Englanders are an easy target as are pensioners.

Be very aware that it could be you and yours targeted next…

MissAdventure

Everyone pays tax on their income, though.
It's not just confined to those who choose private education.

Well, not quite everyone but yes, we pay towards public services including education.

Those who opt to pay for private education for their children are paying three times over; fees, VAT on fees and income tax.

Without a doubt, target the big business tax evaders.

It's about time someone did.

Everyone pays tax on their income, though.
It's not just confined to those who choose private education.

Allira

MissAdventure

Pay taxes, then.
It's such a simple concept.

What happened to all the people who used to say on here "I'd be happy to pay extra if it helped (fill in, as appropriate)?

👏👏👏

Simple!

Straightforward, upfront taxes.

Target those businesses which evade tax.

MissAdventure

Pay taxes, then.
It's such a simple concept.

What happened to all the people who used to say on here "I'd be happy to pay extra if it helped (fill in, as appropriate)?

Education should never ever be taxed!

I have just had a quick google search and it is illegal in the EU and the majority of countries world wide to tax education!

People sending their children and/or grandchildren to private schools have paid tax on their income already. I am guessing here but a fair few will be in the 40% bracket.

Labour is going after middle Englanders which they appear to abhor, without the balls to tackle the big boys who employ tax accountants to avoid paying their dues!

Tax avoidance is legal
Tax evasion is illegal