Am I the only one that does this?
Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators
Am I the only one that does this?
I've recently found myself searching through the websites of various independent schools (which we absolutely cannot afford) just to look at all the amazing facilities they have
I suppose it is a sort of masochism, but I would rather compare it to those people who pretend they are looking to buy a very expensive house but are actually just being nosey and want to see how "the other half" live
I fully appreciate that a school is soooooo much more than its facilities, but I can't help but let out a little sigh when I see those swimming pools, sports halls, drama studios, theatres and more......... particularly when I know how much my own DC would relish having the opportunity to use them all.
This isn't supposed to start a discussion about the pros and cons of independent v state by the way (there are many things I dislike about both systems!) but I was hoping that I'm not the only sad person on this forum that sometimes can't help themselves
I suppose it is a sort of masochism, but I would rather compare it to those people who pretend they are looking to buy a very expensive house but are actually just being nosey and want to see how "the other half" live
I fully appreciate that a school is soooooo much more than its facilities, but I can't help but let out a little sigh when I see those swimming pools, sports halls, drama studios, theatres and more......... particularly when I know how much my own DC would relish having the opportunity to use them all.
This isn't supposed to start a discussion about the pros and cons of independent v state by the way (there are many things I dislike about both systems!) but I was hoping that I'm not the only sad person on this forum that sometimes can't help themselves
-
- Posts: 357
- Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:44 pm
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
Just been doing that all morning. However, I was amazed that so many of them insist the children have all day school on Saturday. I really am not keen on that idea. I am a single mother and I know his father would have a blue fit if I told him he could only see his DS on a Sunday!
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
I went to an independent school which until recently would not have looked great in the glossy brochures. I took my DH round it when I was leaving my hometown and he was surprised that anyone would pay for it. So the facilities were not my vision of independent education; my vision was bright children extremely interested in learning and teachers who were extremely knowledgeable and interested in their subject and wishing to convey that to children.
Now roll on a few years, living in the south-east, and every independent school brochure I see seems to be about the facilities, the gourmet lunches etc. They are more like the brochures that I read for wedding venues than school prospectuses. It doesn't make me feel bad that my children are missing out on the facilities; the prospectuses make me want to get a bucket out!! Hope that makes you feel better!!
Now roll on a few years, living in the south-east, and every independent school brochure I see seems to be about the facilities, the gourmet lunches etc. They are more like the brochures that I read for wedding venues than school prospectuses. It doesn't make me feel bad that my children are missing out on the facilities; the prospectuses make me want to get a bucket out!! Hope that makes you feel better!!
-
- Posts: 1446
- Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 1:57 pm
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
Your children aren't missing out, only a small percentage get access to these facilities. At DS1's current school they use the swimming pool for one term and not everyone gets access to all the facilities - some of it is a big con. Then you get the child that would rather sit in the library reading and they could have done that at a state school. FWIW, Purcell have the worst facilities (they don't have any) that I've ever seen!
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
lol this made me laugh as it reminds me of ds2 who sits on Rightmove looking at £2m houses (with huge gardens, swimming pools, cinemas etc )and persuading his siblings to all club together so they can 'share' one when they're older
He has asked me what job he'd have to do to buy one but my careers advice is a bit limited to deal with that question.
A criminal or a banker maybe? (Or are the terms now interchangeable )
He has asked me what job he'd have to do to buy one but my careers advice is a bit limited to deal with that question.
A criminal or a banker maybe? (Or are the terms now interchangeable )
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
um..that reminds me of DD who regularly looks through the property websites looking for a house which might have some kind of animal in the background because apparently they come with the property
I work in a swish brand new hospital which everyone admires as it has single en suite rooms and so is " like a private hospital " however this hospital does have a private ward and I was talking to a doctor the other day who works there wondering what the difference was. He said nothing much ...just a better quality flooring oh and fluffy hand towels ( for the staff ) The only real difference is that there are LESS staff to patients which you'd have to call a biggy really...and not one you'd want to spend thousands on. So yes, perhaps you need to take a closer look sometimes , and wonder if they are things you can provide outside of school anyway ?
I work in a swish brand new hospital which everyone admires as it has single en suite rooms and so is " like a private hospital " however this hospital does have a private ward and I was talking to a doctor the other day who works there wondering what the difference was. He said nothing much ...just a better quality flooring oh and fluffy hand towels ( for the staff ) The only real difference is that there are LESS staff to patients which you'd have to call a biggy really...and not one you'd want to spend thousands on. So yes, perhaps you need to take a closer look sometimes , and wonder if they are things you can provide outside of school anyway ?
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
DD was at an indie for 3 years. I think she went in the lovely pool about 10 times - she had one block of 8 weeks of swimming each year, but it always fell across inset days, trips etc so she wore her expensive swimming costume a few times each year before growing out of it and having to have another one. I presume if you were a good swimmer and lived nearby and so could go the the after school club you might get picked for the team and do more. DD could have been a good swimmer but there was never the opportunity to show it. The library was very good and she used that a lot . And the grounds and buildings were nice. The food was AWFUL!current school they use the swimming pool for one term
scary mum
-
- Posts: 1841
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:44 am
- Location: Reading
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
my DD's Indie is a 3-18 one and she is now in yr5. In yr 1 (I think) they started doing weekly swim lessons year round at the pool in the senior school (down the road). It seems such a missed opportunity to not extend use of all (appropriate) facilities to all pupils.
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
To our son's immense delight and relief, he's just been allowed to give up rugby and now has two sessions a week in the school swimming pool instead.
Mike
Mike
-
- Posts: 12894
- Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
- Location: The Seaside
Re: Am I the only one that does this?
know what you mean. Often think it is the parents that like the facilities rather than the kids!!Waiting_For_Godot wrote:Your children aren't missing out, only a small percentage get access to these facilities. At DS1's current school they use the swimming pool for one term and not everyone gets access to all the facilities - some of it is a big con. Then you get the child that would rather sit in the library reading and they could have done that at a state school. FWIW, Purcell have the worst facilities (they don't have any) that I've ever seen!
My kids went to a private primary (up to age 11) - people who ran it opted to hire facilities rather than manage the long term upkeep of such things, so the kids went to local swimming pool on a coach for lessons, they paid the local cricket club a retainer to use their sports field / cricket pitch, the local sports hall for some afternoons a week and the village hall for extra dancing / drama space. Helped with being part of the local community and supported village facilities .... and kept the fees down do a more attractive level.