Cheer up, Bridget, your lucky day is nigh!

I was one year old in 1960. Maybe the grammar school system worked well then, but by the 70s it didn’t - or not where I lived.

Regardless, we are talking about private schools, and however much they may have in common with state grammar’s inasmuch as they allow a small number of children to get a better crack of the whip than the majority, they are unfair and shouldn’t be propped up by those who have to work and pay into a system that others opt out of.

The real unfairness is that families who use public schools are having to pay twice as they also have to pay into a system they don’t use.
Not only that, all taxpayers pay tax continuously and not just for the years children are in school.

Yes, the tax system needs to be reassessed so that it is fairer, I agree. Not all children in either system are from families where both parents contribute.

I have no problem with the fact that the basic assumption is that everyone pays to educate all children though, or that this includes those who have no children of their own, and those who opt out of the state education system. I can’t think of a way to make things fairer - in a Pay As You Go system there would be children who had no education at all. Is that what you are advocating?

I am in favour of parental choice and would prefer a voucher system which could be used in either the State or private sector since you ask … that would be fair Doodledog

Back in the late 50s in my area if a pupil achieved good results at a secondary modern school at the end of 3rd year when they would be leaving school they were offered a place at a grammar school to complete studies up to 6th year. Yes the 11+ did seem brutal but if you had potential it was recognised, and the system accommodated that.

vegansrock

My DD works at a posh prep school, there was an increase in numbers doing the entrance exam this year. So the idea that hordes of Tarquins and Jemimas are going to be barging their way into those awful rough state schools is a bit previous.
I used to work at a posh independent school. The sixth formers had better cars than the staff. Some kids came to school in chauffeur driven Bentleys. One parent landed a helicopter on the school field to pick up her child. The tiny violins are well and truly polished.

The politics of envy, I rest my case.

The politics of envy, I rest my case.
I agree Sago. The post you quoted there has some very unpleasant thoughts. Not directed at the school, nor even at the parents, but attacking the very children themselves in all this. They have done nothing wrong, even down to the names some of them possess. Also, how they travel to and from school is not decided by them, so why mention it?
They don't all bulldoze their way into places as described. If nothing else, a private education teaches manners and appropriate behaviour and most of the pupils are polite, courteous children.
Leave posts about them out of it!

I am surprised so few go to private schools in the UK. I think here it is rising and is around 38 %. In some areas almost all the children attend private schools.Various reasons, some connected with faith, some because the state schools aren’t very good in that area. Parents should have a choice. They all pay taxes and if they choose to pay over and above and are able to, what’s the problem ? One of my family lives in the bush and the schools nearby are not the best so she is scrimping and saving and sending her 3 children to the local Catholic school. I’m proud of her. She is doing what is best for her family and making sacrifices.
S

I think that post by vegansrock was part spoof designed to get a reaction,

- which it did.

Its a caricature straight from the very "elite" schools beloved of many cartoons

No other country in Europe taxes education in this way. Greece tried it 10+ years ago and it was a disaster.

Labour don't like private education because it is "elitist", this makes it even more so.
It's socialism at its most vindictive.

In my opinion.

Many in Blair's cabinet and their advisors, lawyers etc sent their kids to schools like Westminster and St Paul's. Indeed one or two are now grown up and flourishing amongst the new clutch of Labour MPs in safe seats. No doubt they are earnest in the cause to ensure other people's children don't receive the same opportunities as themselves. To be fair - Blair, Falconer, Thornbury and their like have never had a problem squaring their multi millionaire wealth with their socialist principles. The mantra seems to go - socialism is great - but generally something better applied to other people.

nanna8

I am surprised so few go to private schools in the UK. I think here it is rising and is around 38 %. In some areas almost all the children attend private schools.Various reasons, some connected with faith, some because the state schools aren’t very good in that area. Parents should have a choice. They all pay taxes and if they choose to pay over and above and are able to, what’s the problem ? One of my family lives in the bush and the schools nearby are not the best so she is scrimping and saving and sending her 3 children to the local Catholic school. I’m proud of her. She is doing what is best for her family and making sacrifices.
S

The Catholic schools in Australia are subsidised but the fees have gone up recently I think. Where the local State school is not good they are an alternative if parents can afford it. They're not as expensive as private schools here.

I'm not sure about the fees at Anglican schools, and the only one I know is excellent.

Wyllow3

I think that post by vegansrock was part spoof designed to get a reaction,

- which it did.

Its a caricature straight from the very "elite" schools beloved of many cartoons

Some Gransnetters may have DGC with those names.

Another name was used recently in a derisory way which is the name of someone in my family.

Just as bad, imo, as calling entitled women Karens or rather snobbish men Waynes. Unfair and unkind.

I know lovely Karen's and do know a Wayne (although he is quite unique).

snobbish men
Autocorrect at work again!

Slobbish men

And I know there is no apostrophe in the plural of Karen but autocorrect disagrees.

Before anyone gleefully points it out.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

No other country in Europe taxes education in this way. Greece tried it 10+ years ago and it was a disaster.

Labour don't like private education because it is "elitist", this makes it even more so.
It's socialism at its most vindictive.

In my opinion.

👏👏👏

Thinking that the £46 million raised 24/25 and £1.5 billion 25/26 VAT (estimates from GOV.UK website) are going to magically increase teachers and student welfare is somewhat fantasy.

Latest figures I could find on GOV.UK are 23/24 the U.K. spent £111 billion on education.

Businesses that charge VAT are also able to reclaim VAT they have been charged, so basically no big deal for the schools, just petty minded politics directed to a section of the electorate which Labour appear to despise.

P.S. If (and it’s an enormous if ) they were to go after the likes of Amazon, Starbucks and all the big boys who get away without paying their dues Labour (or any Government in power) might find that their coffers are significantly increased…

Private education is necessary when living abroad in a service or diplomatic family.

Wyllow3

I think that post by vegansrock was part spoof designed to get a reaction,

- which it did.

Its a caricature straight from the very "elite" schools beloved of many cartoons

It sure did!
But note that no one on here ever writes a crude caricature of low class, common Kyles and Jelly Belly children. It's off limits. In the past on GN we've had posters, who should know better, ridiculing children at private schools to prove their points.
Sorry, but it's something a few of us feel strongly about.

Oh, but they do, frequently.

The only difference is they're serious.

X post Allira. I'm just back ftom a soggy dog walk and hadn't read the other posts.

Allira

And I know there is no apostrophe in the plural of Karen but autocorrect disagrees.

Before anyone gleefully points it out.

I retyped my grammatically incorrect post this morning and I can confirm that my laptop like my iPad and iPhone’s predicted text has obviously not had the benefit of a good British education 🤣🤣🤣

P.S. If (and it’s an enormous if ) they were to go after the likes of Amazon, Starbucks and all the big boys who get away without paying their dues Labour (or any Government in power) might find that their coffers are significantly increased

I said exactly this to DH this morning. It's as if they are scared of upsetting the big boys and are going for easy targets. Middle Britain, those they think won't argue. Pensioners, farmers, those who see that their local school is failing and discipline has all but disappeared

MissAdventure

Oh, but they do, frequently.

The only difference is they're serious.

Show us one then where a poster has deliberately ridiculed a child in poverty and I will personally give them a lesson!

GrannyGravy13

Allira

And I know there is no apostrophe in the plural of Karen but autocorrect disagrees.

Before anyone gleefully points it out.

I retyped my grammatically incorrect post this morning and I can confirm that my laptop like my iPad and iPhone’s predicted text has obviously not had the benefit of a good British education 🤣🤣🤣

😁

I have had stern word's with mine but it wont listen.