Ruth Kelly sends child to Private School...

[Ultra]

That's not what I said.

There's no evidence to suggest that comprehensive education should hold bright children back.

[The People's Hero]

Some folk might say similar things about this forum..

Care to explain?

Or as usual lacking in balls and preferring veiled, ambiguous snipes like this one?

[The People's Hero]

That's not what I said.

There's no evidence to suggest that comprehensive education should hold bright children back.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

[Milky]

most private schools kids seem to be a bit out of touch with reality to me, and alot also seem to go off the rails. Plus they pick up an annoying accent.

[Head Honcho]

most private schools kids seem to be a bit out of touch with reality to me, and alot also seem to go off the rails. Plus they pick up an annoying accent.

Sure your not confusing Private with Public?

There is a big difference.

[Janx]

Sure your not confusing Private with Public?

There is a big difference.

blimey Allen, Im onna agree with you again!!!

Definitely a massive difference twixt private and public... most dont know the difference though.

[Guest]

HOT SPUD WARNING!!

As the father of a "bright" child (not my opinion, although one that I do agree with) ....

I don't blame you. Let the little guy learn at his own pace, and if it's quicker than most other kids then why should he suffer.

I seriously suffered at the primary school I attended. I.......

I know the feeling exactly.

If you can afford to educate your children privately then I believe it is your duty to do so!....

Couldn't agree more.

There's no evidence to suggest that comprehensive education should hold bright children back.

Really? I disagree.

[lookwhaticando]

I almost went to a couple of Private Schools.

Not Public Schools though... so my accent and attitude would have remained the same.

[Daggers]

Most "Public" schools do not cater for students with special needs as it runs the risk of ****ing up their exam pass rate & university entrance offers. They will, of course, welcome over-achievers with open arms.

I went to a decent public school and have taught in the State and private sector; I've nothing against people spending their money that way if they so choose but I'll not be sending my kids there. There can be no question that a child will gain more qualifications at a higher grade if they go "Public"...the evidence is irrefutable.

My experience has shown that the vast majority of parents of students in the private sector are either shut off entirely from the education process or hothouse their offspring...leading to a whole range of problems. Incidences of drug abuse, sexual activity and alcohol abuse are far higher in the "Public" schools I know of than in any State Secondary.

To me, learning goes beyond simply passing exams...it includes learning values that I find are almost totally absent in the private system.

For all of you that want the benefits of a paid-for education for your little'uns ~ good luck to you, we'll be sticking with the system that has done well by my mates, my cousins and those I've taught.

[Daggers]

holding back the brightest kids by making them learn at the pace of the slowest helps no-one, not the brightest nor the not so bright.

There is this marvelous method used in teaching called "differentiation":

The concept that 'all' students in a class learn at the same pace and cover the same material simply isn't true. Where students do suffer is on the amount of time a teacher can spend with each one during a period ~ and this comes down to class sizes. With streaming and setting there is no reason why all students should not have equal opportunity. With effective differentiation a teacher can ensure that all members of a class are being stretched to their maximum.

One limitation is the willingness of the teacher to invest their personal time, and the readiness of the parents to spend time at home supporting the studies. Most teachers give over a certain amount of their time to support students, either at lunch or after school...inevitably, peoples experience of this will vary from institution to institution. Twelve years of delivering Physics & Science has shown that the vast majority of parents do not see that educating their children has anything to do with them whatsoever.

[davieG]

There is this marvelous method used in teaching called "differentiation":

The concept that 'all' students in a class learn at the same pace and cover the same material simply isn't true. Where students do suffer is on the amount of time a teacher can spend with each one during a period ~ and this comes down to class sizes. With streaming and setting there is no reason why all students should not have equal opportunity. With effective differentiation a teacher can ensure that all members of a class are being stretched to their maximum.

One limitation is the willingness of the teacher to invest their personal time, and the readiness of the parents to spend time at home supporting the studies. Most teachers give over a certain amount of their time to support students, either at lunch or after school...inevitably, peoples experience of this will vary from institution to institution. Twelve years of delivering Physics & Science has shown that the vast majority of parents do not see that educating their children has anything to do with them whatsoever.

Or in some cases anything at all to do with turning innocent children into sensible adults

[Thracian]

Most "Public" schools do not cater for students with special needs as it runs the risk of ****ing up their exam pass rate & university entrance offers. They will, of course, welcome over-achievers with open arms.

I went to a decent public school and have taught in the State and private sector; I've nothing against people spending their money that way if they so choose but I'll not be sending my kids there. There can be no question that a child will gain more qualifications at a higher grade if they go "Public"...the evidence is irrefutable.

My experience has shown that the vast majority of parents of students in the private sector are either shut off entirely from the education process or hothouse their offspring...leading to a whole range of problems. Incidences of drug abuse, sexual activity and alcohol abuse are far higher in the "Public" schools I know of than in any State Secondary.

To me, learning goes beyond simply passing exams...it includes learning values that I find are almost totally absent in the private system.

For all of you that want the benefits of a paid-for education for your little'uns ~ good luck to you, we'll be sticking with the system that has done well by my mates, my cousins and those I've taught.

An interesting insight.

I've got two grandsons at public school, a youngest son who didn't go to school at all from 8-15 but was educated "otherwise" and the rest of the youngsters in my close family go to state schools.

I shall be fascinated, based on what you've said, to see how they all turn out and how the different approaches to education affects them all.

[Daggers]

I shall be fascinated, based on what you've said, to see how they all turn out and how the different approaches to education affects them all.

By far the most successful (economically) out of friends and family have proved to be those that went to State School and hold, by and large, less qualifications.

[Nationwider]

There is this marvelous method used in teaching called "differentiation":

The concept that 'all' students in a class learn at the same pace and cover the same material simply isn't true. Where students do suffer is on the amount of time a teacher can spend with each one during a period ~ and this comes down to class sizes. With streaming and setting there is no reason why all students should not have equal opportunity. With effective differentiation a teacher can ensure that all members of a class are being stretched to their maximum.

One limitation is the willingness of the teacher to invest their personal time, and the readiness of the parents to spend time at home supporting the studies. Most teachers give over a certain amount of their time to support students, either at lunch or after school...inevitably, peoples experience of this will vary from institution to institution. Twelve years of delivering Physics & Science has shown that the vast majority of parents do not see that educating their children has anything to do with them whatsoever.

Or in some cases anything at all to do with turning innocent children into sensible adults

Mrs NW is a teacher (when she's not larging it on maternity leave). I'd estimate she works a 45-hour week in school, does another 5 hours at home every week, and gives up a decent proportion of her holidays towards planning, reports, displays and such like. Putting in the hard yakka to ensure her kids all get the most out of a lesson according to their own abilities is her top priority.

The lack of thanks and support she gets from her leadership and the parents is becoming increasingly demoralising. Most parents (in an admittedly sh*t area) have no interest in how their kids are educated in or out of school (roughly 25% attend parents evenings) - and unfortunately, her boss is a **** who can't see further than the latest league tables.

It's a credit to her and her love for the job she doesn't just sod the four years of study and go back to work at the bank.

[The People's Hero]

Mrs NW is a teacher (when she's not larging it on maternity leave). I'd estimate she works a 45-hour week in school, does another 5 hours at home every week, and gives up a decent proportion of her holidays towards planning, reports, displays and such like. Putting in the hard yakka to ensure her kids all get the most out of a lesson according to their own abilities is her top priority.

The lack of thanks and support she gets from her leadership and the parents is becoming increasingly demoralising. Most parents (in an admittedly sh*t area) have no interest in how their kids are educated in or out of school (roughly 25% attend parents evenings) - and unfortunately, her boss is a **** who can't see further than the latest league tables.

It's a credit to her and her love for the job she doesn't just sod the four years of study and go back to work at the bank.

The same can be said of my mother, my girlfriend's mother and father and... will inevitably be true of my girlfriend in the future.

It's something I admire because I simply do not have the same dedication towards my own career.

[Hullfox]

Mrs NW is a teacher (when she's not larging it on maternity leave). I'd estimate she works a 45-hour week in school, does another 5 hours at home every week, and gives up a decent proportion of her holidays towards planning, reports, displays and such like. Putting in the hard yakka to ensure her kids all get the most out of a lesson according to their own abilities is her top priority.

The lack of thanks and support she gets from her leadership and the parents is becoming increasingly demoralising. Most parents (in an admittedly sh*t area) have no interest in how their kids are educated in or out of school (roughly 25% attend parents evenings) - and unfortunately, her boss is a **** who can't see further than the latest league tables.

It's a credit to her and her love for the job she doesn't just sod the four years of study and go back to work at the bank.

Without wishing to belittle her efforts NW, a 50 hour week and giving up some of her 12 week holidays isn't at the top end of people's efforts in this country.

Many people I know have a **** for a boss who gives them little or no support.

In fact most of them work for me.

As for going back to the bank, I'm not sure it will be any better. It will be all about targets and squeezing more out of everyone. The holidays will probably not be so generous either.

[The People's Hero]

Without wishing to belittle her efforts NW, a 50 hour week and giving up some of her 12 week holidays isn't at the top end of people's efforts in this country.

Many people I know have a **** for a boss who gives them little or no support.

In fact most of them work for me.

As for going back to the bank, I'm not sure it will be any better. It will be all about targets and squeezing more out of everyone. The holidays will probably not be so generous either.

[davieG]

Mrs NW is a teacher (when she's not larging it on maternity leave). I'd estimate she works a 45-hour week in school, does another 5 hours at home every week, and gives up a decent proportion of her holidays towards planning, reports, displays and such like. Putting in the hard yakka to ensure her kids all get the most out of a lesson according to their own abilities is her top priority.

The lack of thanks and support she gets from her leadership and the parents is becoming increasingly demoralising. Most parents (in an admittedly sh*t area) have no interest in how their kids are educated in or out of school (roughly 25% attend parents evenings) - and unfortunately, her boss is a **** who can't see further than the latest league tables.

It's a credit to her and her love for the job she doesn't just sod the four years of study and go back to work at the bank.

The same with my daughter (and the maternity leave ) - but then everyone knows it's a cushty 9-4 job with masses of holiday, no pressure, friendly supportive parents with little interference from faceless bureaucrats .