Russian Woman Journal

www.russianwomanjournal.com

Point of view

Monday 16 June 2008

DOUG R. (England)

Does Private Education Pay?

Part Two.  Why and How to Join an elite

  

This photo shows of a bunch of kids playing a game.

It does not explain the reason of this article.

I hope to convey the idea that the school you go to matters, nor that the game shows

Rugby football with two teams only distinguished by their shirts.

This game originated at a public school in the town of Rugby (in the British Midlands.)

Previously everyone played football.

A divide soon grew between public school ‘toffs’ playing the more openly vigorous rugby and others who didn’t.

The ‘toffs’ played rugby, the ‘rest’ played football.

This divide still holds in subtle ways.

The shirts those boys wear identifies which school they attend.

The game matters. The school matters. But only to those who care.

Which game does your chosen school play as their main winter sport?

The modern world has developed away from this old rigid attitude.

Be aware of subtle undertones existing in British society.

Join Your Own Club.

One day you need help with a management decision.

Who can open the door of the knowledge you need, and give you impartial advice?

From which of these will you anticipate better results?

1.  Phone an old schoolmate with the relevant influence, knowledge or contacts.

2.  Ask a favour from someone you don’t know but who has what you need.

This system of links from shared education days works.

The world wide shared experiences benefits most elites.

The example of the French ENARC system of shared higher education for selected pupils works well.

Your schoolmates will have influential parents. You will know all you need to know about them and they about you. There is your personal club.

Private education is expensive, very expensive.

Most families choosing private education have modest income.

But they know they must make personal sacrifices. 

They go without expensive holidays, the latest cars, frequent restaurant meals,

Making severe painful economies becomes their way of life.

Which school?

The apparent variety confuses.

I mentioned in Part One and explained an earlier article how and why it is important to choose the public school before arranging a preparatory school.

Here are some thoughts on choices.

However wonderful the reputation of your chosen school, does it suit your child?

I can think of many friends who went to the wrong school for them.

They would have benefited from attending a different school.

Do you have any strong personal preferences or prejudices?

Such as  

Boarding or Day school?

Co-education or single sex?

One school may be far away from where you live.

Do you look for strict discipline or a relaxed and laid back atmosphere?

Your Child.

What type of human being do you think they are;

academic?

artistic?

clever?

sporty?

good at nothing in particular?

reasonable at everything?

willing, cooperative, enthusiastic?

negative, obstructive, objectionable? 

About the child’s future life;

What lifestyle does the child want to do for a living?

Does the child have any particular preferences for anything at all? 

Any career wishes or dislikes?

The Royal Navy have their preferred schools.

Other schools have excellent contacts with the Army.

Others are strong on engineering or drama or music.

You need to investigate, based on what your child prefers.

Particularly sensitive or withdrawn children often lack social skills.

Would specific talents benefit from a specialised schooling?

Such schools must be considered very carefully.

Variety and Choice.

The wide choice gives public schools such an advantage over state ones.

Surely parents know better what is best for their child? 

If you are still wondering why and how public schools survive, does this variety hold a clue?  They have demonstrated adaptability over many years. 

Consider the recently discovered knowledge and public acceptance of dyslexia.

This has stimulated an excellent response both of diagnosis and treatment from the private sector.

The state education system offers virtually nothing, and even makes difficult any access to what little is on offer. There are no votes in treating dyslexia.

The private sector recognises this demand.  Supplying a demand at a profit means survival.

The private education system relies on these old-established business principles.

Private education is expensive.

Yes. The main voiced objection for not choosing is lack of family money.  Polls show most British people would choose it if they could. So would much of the rest of the world.

Overseas students are a significant part of their intake for many public schools. This mix can only benefit all students.

Some British schools are experimenting with opening satellites in other countries.

Compare UK average costs of £20,000  with £12,000 in Australia and New Zealand and £16,000 in America.

Spread the Payments.

Do you have a pension?

Did you plan for it in your teens? No?

Nobody does.

Would it have been a good idea?

An early decision spreads the costs.

Hence why this decision is best made when your child is young.

Soon after birth is best!

Two financial thoughts to help you.

1. Start Early.

A young child at an early stage of development implies so are you.

Your career will develop and expand, giving improved salary rates.

Family income should increase during the child’s education.

With proper planning the expected cash drain can be spread over 20/30 years or more of salaried income.

Take this theoretical example.

Invest £300 every month for 11 years in an investment scheme offering 5%.

Leave the income in the fund to receive compound interest.

For an outlay cost of £40,000 a return of between £50,000 and £60,000 will depend on the chosen fund.

That sum put into a fund paying 10% will return £70,000.

You may feel the pinch of £300 leaving your bank account every month now,  but will you later?

The earlier you start the better.

There are many financial schemes available.

An appropriate insurance policy will offer   protection from unforeseen events.

Professional qualified advice is essential.

2. Subsidised possibilities.

With a choice of over 2400 private schools, answers can be found for most needs.

The parents’ social circle gives word of mouth opinions.

But always do your own research.

Religious belief organisations promote their own ideologies for subsidised education.

Cathedral schools emphasise singing ability. They always need new choristers.

Schools specialising in dance or drama,  always need recruits to those professions.

Special facilities are usual for children gifted with music or artistic talents.

Some schools are very interested in students with aptitude for some professional sports such as golf or tennis.  

Many trade organisations run their own private schools. For example The Licensed Victuallers Society offers superb facilities including boarding.

The Services have their own subsidised schemes for suitable students. Apply early.

Most schools have scholarships, bursaries and other sources of cash to help struggling parents.

If your face fits, or your child has a special talent,  you may be surprised at what is possible. They don’t advertise their special schemes! You have to dig to find them.

Be assured all schools must be registered with the Education Department to ensure minimum legal requirements are maintained.

Payback Time.

Considered a hard nosed financial investment, what payback can be expected?

According to Sarah Cassidy, an education correspondent, private school pupils will achieve better qualifications and have better paying jobs than pupils from the state system, who were just as talented.

Only just under 8% of state system students were earning more than £70,000 pa by their thirties, in comparison with 18% of those privately educated.

On average, a private education will repay with an extra income level of £5000 per annum, or an average 19% higher income for life.

Private education why bother? What do you think?

 

DOUG R. (England)

 

Published in Woman's Magazine Russian Woman Journal  www.russianwomanjournal.com  - 16 June 2008

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