4 reasons why William and Kate should send their children to the local state school

Francis Gilbert's picture
 10
Watching the Royal Wedding makes me think about the children that might be a product of it. I think that Prince William and Kate should break from tradition -- as they have in other ways -- and show support for the state sector by sending their children to the local state schools. Here are my top four reasons:

1. Their children would get a better education at the local state schools: teachers are better trained and have livelier lessons than in the private sector.

2. Their children would get to know the local community (wherever that is!) and feel a genuine part of the country, rather being isolated in a gilded cage.

3. Their children would be happier at a state school and not suffer the horrors that we know Prince Charles and others endured at their horrific private schools.

4. It would send a powerful signal to the rest of the country that the monarchy are keen to be "in touch" with the people.

 
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Comments

Sambal's picture
Fri, 29/04/2011 - 13:03

What a wonderful idea! Would give it my full support but don't see it happening any time soon.


Janet Downs's picture
Fri, 29/04/2011 - 13:56

It would be wonderful if any children went to a state school. It would even help them obtain better degrees than their peers in independent schools as NFER evidence showed in December:

http://www.suttontrust.com/news/news/comprehensive-pupils-outperform/

This evidence was said to be contradicted by a new report, but the figures still show comprehensive school pupils with a slight advantage:

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6077920

But more important than qualifications would be the opportunity to meet with people from all sections of society.

Ben Taylor's picture
Sat, 30/04/2011 - 23:36

Ok does that include state grammars and WLFS?


Janet Downs's picture
Sun, 01/05/2011 - 15:19

The bride's brother read a passage from Romans which includes this phrase:

"Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly"

Given that state grammar schools don't admit those with "lowly" intelligence, and WLFS has said its curriculum is not suitable for all, then it's not clear whether the Romans injunction would be followed to the letter if these schools were chosen. However, if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge want their children to obtain the best possible degree then they should really choose a state comprehensive because pupils from these schools have a slight edge as recent surveys have shown.

Nigel Ford's picture
Sun, 01/05/2011 - 17:24

Kate also had a pretty bad time at Downe House (private) school where she was a day girl.

To many it must have been a slightly peverse parental decision when uprooting her after two terms, to then send her to a Marlborough public school as a boarder away from the solace of her family, although she appears to have had a better time there.

Francis Gilbert's picture
Sun, 01/05/2011 - 18:15

Just reading today in the ST about the now Earl of Shaftesbury who had a terrible time at Eton during the 1990s -- as did a few people I've spoken to. These "dream" schools are not as they seem at all.

The trouble is we just don't know what's going on at public schools because they are not "transparent" in the way state schools are.

Joseph's picture
Thu, 26/05/2011 - 13:00

I know, maybe they can go to their local grammar school!

Oh wait...
http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2011/05/local-parents-protest-agai...

Laura's picture
Thu, 26/05/2011 - 13:05

Why on earth is it any of our business where they decide to send their hypothetical children? Different parents value different things within their child's education.

I really don't see what on earth this has to do with anyone except them.

B Silva's picture
Thu, 26/05/2011 - 18:10

Completely agree with Laura.
Francis, what is the root of your obsession with comprehensive schools?
In both this thread and the thread about Kendrick and Reading School you have displayed arguments that lack evidence and are based upon prejudice.
I see nothing wrong with the royal couple sending their children to private schools, why do you assume that private schools are, as your 4 arguments state:

'Isolated gilded cages', 'horrific', out of touch and boring?

Such views are unfounded and ridiculous.

FJ Murphy's picture
Wed, 03/07/2013 - 22:27

Some private schools may be horrific for some children, but I am sure that a lot of state schools are truly horrific, for teachers as well as pupils.


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