subject: State School Education Or Private School Education [print this page] I have carried out a study and observation of 2 schoolboys I know fairly well, both age 10 at the time, close friends since the age of 3 with similar intelligence, interests and hobbies.
When it became the time to move from primary to secondary school, because of the area they both lived which was middle class and a pleasant area, both were allocated different and low performing schools not of their preference. Both listed 4 choices but none were made available.
One child accepted the place at the given school without appeal but the other child went through the appeal process for the 4 chosen schools. All were unsuccessful. The child then pursued the nearby independant school and after successfully passing the interview process and entrance exam was offered a place.
We are now 1 and a half years on and I have been observing these boys during that period. Both boys are currently in year 8.
Sadly the friendship slowly diminished to the point that the boys no longer keep in contact as their paths became so very different.
Boy 1 is in a state school class of 31. He has several friends who find it difficult to concentrate and he has little interest in school. He does not pursue any after school activities and gets homework roughly 3 times a week. His school day starts at 0850 and ends at 1500. His uniform is unkept as the school has no strict dress code or rules regarding hairstyles or accessories worn. He wears his hair long and tied back for school. He has roughly 5 supply teachers each week as several staff members on are sick leave with stress related illnesses. There are always Teaching Jobs available on the school website. He has little confidence and little respect for the teachers or other adults. At lunchtime he goes to the shop next door and buys crisps and sweets as the lunches are not to his taste. He has no interest in sport and prefers to hang out in the town with his friends. He has no aspirations or idea what he would like to do in the future apart from leave school.
Boy 2 attends an independant school and is in a class of 20. He has many friends, both boys and girls. He is polite, articulate, well mannered, respectful, competitive, happy and driven. He excels at every subject. He is in the rugby, football, athletics and cricket top teams and performs extremely well in all of them. He has represented the school in the national athletics meetings.
He is immaculately presented with shirt and tie, blazer and smart black shoes and takes great pride in his appearance with a neat smart haircut.
His day begins at 0815 and ends at 1620. After this he does sporting activities 3 days a week for an extra hour per day. He has homework 4 times a week for 1 hour per day.
The school restaurant provides an excellent choice of lunches and a 3 course meal daily. Pupils are not allowed to leave the school at any time. The school has a zero tolerance on bad behaviour but the children are generally extremely well behaved. There are very rarely any teaching jobs available other than maternity cover.
Boy 2 spends his free time commiting himself to his passion of football and athletics. He has no desire to hang around the town. His desire is to go to university and get a degree.
The comparison of both boys is incredible. They now have little in common which is a great shame but clear to see that the independant school offers the child so much more. Respect, ethics, achievement, friendships,leadership, positive attitude, balanced diet, exercise and above all, great happiness.
