Private Education
Now I wish to point out that in general I don't favour private education over state education, likewise private health over NHS health for all the reasons you can argue about.
Nonetheless for a lot of people, including Heather and her post on the subject of choosing schools, is a hot topic. As I understand it applications for primary schools need to be submitted so a few people are looking around, checking ofsted reports and finding out whats what.
In a drive to cover all areas, we all trundled off to Notre Dame Prep School last Saturday. Notre Dame Prep is a private school over near Dereham Road. On first inspection the overall feel (in terms of building) was that is was no different than any other school, nothing special. We were presented with students doing some drama and some singing. We were then escorted around the building by two charming young girls. We then saw a demo of football and some more singing. We were told that students per class were currently about 8 which I understand is excellent. However our overall impression for a private school was somewhat dissapointing. Furthermore they made it clear that a lot of the education was aimed at a private school exam (or whatever it is called). This didn't really impress us too much either.
On Tuesday we trundelled along to St Johns Roman Catholic First School - in between Dereham Road and Earlham Road. The difference was stark. As soon as we walked into the first classroom, which was down a rainbow covered walkway, I knew this was the place. It was fantastic. The kids there seemed happy and it was geared up to be a place where you would learn about Christianity (as well as other religions too!!). The dilemma we have is there priority is Baptised Catholics, which neither myself, Max nor Amber are. However we didn't feel it right getting him baptised for the sake of a school. So we went and explained who we were, about our faith and the importance of an education with a christian input. They told us that they only took 60 people in each term, but had never rejected anyone so far. The school received an Ofsted mark of Outstanding last year.
SO there we go - goes to prove private education may give smaller class rooms but doesn't mean its the best education.
Nonetheless for a lot of people, including Heather and her post on the subject of choosing schools, is a hot topic. As I understand it applications for primary schools need to be submitted so a few people are looking around, checking ofsted reports and finding out whats what.
In a drive to cover all areas, we all trundled off to Notre Dame Prep School last Saturday. Notre Dame Prep is a private school over near Dereham Road. On first inspection the overall feel (in terms of building) was that is was no different than any other school, nothing special. We were presented with students doing some drama and some singing. We were then escorted around the building by two charming young girls. We then saw a demo of football and some more singing. We were told that students per class were currently about 8 which I understand is excellent. However our overall impression for a private school was somewhat dissapointing. Furthermore they made it clear that a lot of the education was aimed at a private school exam (or whatever it is called). This didn't really impress us too much either.
On Tuesday we trundelled along to St Johns Roman Catholic First School - in between Dereham Road and Earlham Road. The difference was stark. As soon as we walked into the first classroom, which was down a rainbow covered walkway, I knew this was the place. It was fantastic. The kids there seemed happy and it was geared up to be a place where you would learn about Christianity (as well as other religions too!!). The dilemma we have is there priority is Baptised Catholics, which neither myself, Max nor Amber are. However we didn't feel it right getting him baptised for the sake of a school. So we went and explained who we were, about our faith and the importance of an education with a christian input. They told us that they only took 60 people in each term, but had never rejected anyone so far. The school received an Ofsted mark of Outstanding last year.
SO there we go - goes to prove private education may give smaller class rooms but doesn't mean its the best education.
posted by monty at
12:53 AM
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