Good state school v indy

Independent Schools as an alternative to Grammar

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Caroline1852
Posts: 114
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:24 am

Good state school v indy

Post by Caroline1852 »

... with the benefit of hindsight I would opt for the state school.

The indy has worked well for us as a family, one son is still there doing v well and another has gone off to study something competitive at a Russell Group uni, so no sour grapes or anything. But I can't shake the feeling that what looked so clear when my eldest was sitting his entrance exam, seems very silly now, with hindsight. Luckily we could afford the fees so there's been no taking in washing to meet the bills or anything. But I know the fees aren't easy for everyone, and some people seem to be willing to make unbelievable lifestyle sacrifices when a perfectly good state school has been offered.

1) Interested and motivated parents make for pupils who'll do well anywhere. Independent schools are a self-selecting group in that respect: you can't get more interested and motivated than jumping through all the hoops necessary to get Ptolemy to compete for a place at various schools and then making often whole-family sacrifices to meet the fees and extras.

2) Lots of independent school students are tutored both to get into the school in the first place and then some more for GCSE, AS and A level exams (these are motivated parents and they're not averse to spending money on education). Independent schools take ALL the credit for the high exam grades, even though much of it was down to the parents n some cases helped by private tutors. These high grades then become the very reason for opting for the indy in the first place: it's a lot of self-perpetuating nonsense.

3) It often looks as though indy schools get everyone through their exams at high grades. This is not true. Having now lived through the exam bit (my eldest is now at university) I saw boys asked to leave at various points in the snr school, you don't see this at the bottom of the school because the school is happy to accept your fees as you are no threat to its immaculate exams stats at that time. Academically competitive independent schools often ask students to leave if they're underperforming as they don't want the poor exam grades on their books. When these students leave they go to the local state school. So an indy-educated boy can have his rubbish exam results chalked up to the state school, while the indy keeps its record clean. Several pupils at my sons' school are asked to leave each year prior to GCSEs, after GCSEs or after AS exams as it looks likely their performance in exams isn't going to pass muster. And again the high grades in the indy are often the reason why parents chose the indy in the first place. And the lower grades at the state school are the main reason parents reject that option, not realising that the low grades contain the indy's dross. Again it's self-perpetuating of this indy-good/state school bad/mixed perception.

4) Some academically selective indy schools make it compulsory to sit General Studies AS and they allow students to choose to carry it on to A2. This is not for the benefit of the student since selective universities sspecifcally exclude Gen Studies from their admissions criteria. It's entirely for the benefit of the school, to boost its A level points score for the league tables. An academically selective independent has no business offering General Studies exams to its students, let alone making them compulsory. At Habs Boys' General Studies is taught but not examined: this is how it should be but it isn't so at all academically selective schools, so do look carefully. Make sure you aren't comparing apples with pears.

I write all this to try and help those struggling to decide between a decent state school and an indy (there seems to be a lot of people struggling with those difficult decision on here atm). If I had my time over again, I would opt for the state school (we have a good comp on our doorstep) and stand ready to hire the odd 1:1 tutor as necessary.

Some indy schools are truly excellent, but some are just slick marketing machines preying on parents' fears.

And use the Sutton Trust research tools to look up the schools, this one for example: http://www.suttontrust.com/research/deg ... ns-tables/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The worst-performing state school in Harpenden, Sir John Lawes, procured eight Oxbridge offers this year, a not dissimilar number to either St Albans High School for Girls or St Albans School. http://www.sjlsixthform.co.uk/latest-ne ... s-2012.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyway, good luck to those making difficult choices this week. I'm glad it's not me. :D
zorro
Posts: 2076
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:27 am
Location: Barnet, Herts

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by zorro »

With regard to 3. That's why I think sometimes it is better to send your child to a independent school which is not so academically selective. If they have the ability it is nutured by the school and they have the opportunity to do well if they are able enough.
Some state schools also ask children to leave if they think that their results will be affected - QE Boys in Barnet is well known for the Sixth form 'cull'.
Caroline1852
Posts: 114
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:24 am

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by Caroline1852 »

zorro wrote:With regard to 3. That's why I think sometimes it is better to send your child to a independent school which is not so academically selective. If they have the ability it is nutured by the school and they have the opportunity to do well if they are able enough.
Some state schools also ask children to leave if they think that their results will be affected - QE Boys in Barnet is well known for the Sixth form 'cull'.
I have no problem with schools applying their published selection criteria (presumably boys not advancing to the sixth form at QE don't meet the published requirements?), but I do have a problem with schools discarding pupils when they think the student concerned might grace them with an unflattering forthcoming exam performance. That unflattering performance is a reflection of that school, and they should bear it. But they don't.

Parents who are told they might want to look at alternative schools, by their private school, are placed in an impossibly difficult position. Who wants to pay for a school where their child isn't wanted? They very often seek solace in the state system.

Anyway, the above situation is uncommon but there are a few in most year groups. But it affects a lot of people, as it distorts the exam results and makes those joining at the bottom of the school, believe their chosen school gets stellar exam results for all of those fortunate enough to be offered a place. But it's not true.

It's quite tempting to persuade my predicted 10 A* son to sit his GSCEs at the local comp. To redress the balance a bit. :lol:
BarnetDad
Posts: 395
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:51 pm

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by BarnetDad »

I think there's a lot of truth in this thesis, although it may be a trifle exaggerated. However, there's no way I'm paying for a private tutor on top of indie fees!
Certainly I don't pay much attention to league tables. In my opinion, most schools add about the same value - so bright ones in, lots of A-levels out...
In terms of the whole family suffering - isn't that the point?! :twisted:
workhard
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:31 pm

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by workhard »

Hi Caroline1852!

Just wanted to say thanks for your candour and that very useful and detailed explantion about private schools. Your post is an important reality check. I feel that something similar also applies to the grammar schools.

One fact to add is that the budget per pupil at North London or Habs Boys is four to five times that at a state school.

Talented kids and families' efforts and/or families' money make schools and the schools take the credit.

WH
lara228
Posts: 201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:23 am

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by lara228 »

And do schools like QEB and HBS not take the credit for the GCSE results that are gained by the highly tutored pupils?
coffeemorning
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:06 pm

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by coffeemorning »

It may not be correct or fair but the name of the selective Indy does carry weight on a CV. The old boy/girl network does exist and in certain careers the interviewers take notice.
Caroline1852
Posts: 114
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:24 am

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by Caroline1852 »

lara228 wrote:And do schools like QEB and HBS not take the credit for the GCSE results that are gained by the highly tutored pupils?
I don't know how much tutoring goes on in the selective state system. I bet there's a fair bit, but I don't live in a selective area so have no personal knowledge.
zorro
Posts: 2076
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:27 am
Location: Barnet, Herts

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by zorro »

At QE Boys if they don't do well enough at GCSE (i.e. get A *) then they will not be allowed to stay on to do their A levels. I have heard that this applies to St Albans Boys as well but Caroline 1852 can tell us if this is true.
lara228
Posts: 201
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:23 am

Re: Good state school v indy

Post by lara228 »

coffeemorning wrote:It may not be correct or fair but the name of the selective Indy does carry weight on a CV. The old boy/girl network does exist and in certain careers the interviewers take notice.
Absolutely agree - I didn't do very well academically at my Public School (very long time ago) but I know being able to put it on my CV has played an enormous part in every job I've applied for and got - there's an expectation from Employers about the type of person they are dealing with.
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