The Evening Standard reports that Shadow chancellor George Osborne has chosen to send his two children to an £11,000 a year private school.

The school in question is Norwood Place - an independent but non-selective prep school.

No doubt Labour stalwarts will make attempts to exploit his decision to 'snub' the state school system.

But in party political terms, does it actually matter?

Although the move does contrast to David Cameron's comments that he hopes to find good state school places for his children, private education is hardly against traditional Tory principles.

A Conservative spokesperson states: “George has always said that, like any parents, he and his wife would choose what they thought was the right school for their children.

"That’s what they’ve done, and George has never tried to lecture other parents on what they should do."

What do you think?

UPDATE: Read Benedict Brogan's rather intriguing footnote on the Osborne story via this link.

Comments

[Victor, NW Kent 5 Feb 2008 22:14:26]

Carol-Ann

There are 550,000 children in private education. A couple of abuse cases does not damn the whole system nor can you deduce from those figure that children are more likely to be abused in those schools than in state schools.

As you well know the deficiencies in the Sex Offenders Register have led to many dubious people getting close to school children.

It is also common knowledge that abuse in Catholic schools is at a higher level than in others but not all of those are run as private schools, by a long way.

Paedophiles are unutterably horrible and they pop up anywhere, even in the police and in politics.

What Dennis said, and he is usually realistic and informed, is that knife and gun crime is very, very rare in private schools whilst it is parents' greatest fear in state schools in almost any area nowadays, not just the poorer metropolitan areas.

It costs the taxpayer nothing for the education of these children. The state benefits in many ways, not least being the taxes paid by their parents who are often working unusually hard to pay the fees. British trained doctors come overwhelmingly from these schools as do our engineers,mathematicians and army officers.

[Bruce Hulmes / England 5 Feb 2008 18:03:05]

Carol Ann.
I am totally at a loss with your comment regarding sexual abuse, being more prone in private schools.
Then if what you say is fact(which you must admit is a rarity in your case) then why do we pratically every week get reports of teachers seducing pupils in state schools, by both male and female teachers.The clouds of bigotry decend around you on a daily basis, let the truth not get in the way of what you wish to be the truth, in your eyes, lies and mythology are the truth if it can be used for some personal fixation with the Tory party.

[carol-ann livepool 4 Feb 2008 18:42:42]

Correct me if I am wrong but I dont think any metal detectors will be instaled in private schools,I have not heard of any teachers getting attacked in private education,with news that a boy has been stabbed in the class room,I do not blame-----------------------------
We don't know that for sure - they are more in a position to keep such things hush hush - as they did when Cammers got into a bit of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at Eton. Where, it is alleged, he almsot got suspended for smoking dope.

I have seen a couple of cases in the last 18 months or so about child sexual abuse at private schools.
Infact, it would seem, children are more likely to suffer child abuse in a private school than in a state school.

[Bruce Hulmes / England 4 Feb 2008 15:42:28]

DF Essex.
You are totally missing the point, socialism is about the mass of the population doing as they are told, not acting like those who do the tellling.
Socialist governments are no different to any other party in that they do not want a population of highly educated people. Educated people querie and ask to many questions,keep them in the dark and throw manure on them just like mushrooms and let them enjoy their football and binge drinking and you can get away with ruining the country and fiddling your expenses. No Politicains only educate those who they wish to take over running the country ie their own children.

[DF Essex 4 Feb 2008 14:23:12]

Good luck to him.

Who in their right minds wants to send their children to school with feral kids in an inner city?

Many Labour MP's send their children to private schools.

[Bruce Hulmes / England 4 Feb 2008 13:10:32]

Maurice.
Not a word from the media or our lefty/Liberal contributors about closing schools in white areas and moving the resourses to the inner cities for the schools full of immigrant children.
Are they proposing the same North of the border or is it Just in England where our children are now coming second best to Polish,African and the rest of the children from the sponging countries, is it a coincidence that white school boys are now drifting down the league table in the three Rs I think not.

[The Morning Post 4 Feb 2008 13:09:18]

Many state schools have and are complaining long and loud about having to accept immigrant children who cannot speak basic English! I know of schools in Luton and Watford where English is now the minority language! How on earth can we expect our children whose mother tongue is English to learn alongside recently arrived Polish kids for example, whose knowledge of English is zilch! There are schools in my area of the UK where 40+ different languages are spoken! My three children all went through state schools, thankfully before New Labour and their unlimited immigration era began. If i had school age children today, i would not hestitate to send them to private schools even if i had to sell my house to do it! State schools have been given the cash but with one arm tied behind their backs by this pitiful government, they have and are failing our children big time.

[keith incroydon 4 Feb 2008 11:22:27]

osborne is not a labour hypocrite whats your point education in many state schools is a total mess

[Victor, NW Kent 4 Feb 2008 11:09:21]

Rae

Brown has only made a promise - it has not become reality. There is a difference.

The real issue is why is state education so poor generally in contrast with private education? I can assure you that it is not the amount of money spent. There is a lot more to education than nicer buildings and computerised wall boards.
Many fee-paying schools are in antiquated buildings and often have less modern facilities than state schools.

It is the entire ethic that affects the results. A private school cannot adopt a take-it-or-leave-it attitude - it has eager competitors if it fails a pupil.

A private school is not hampered by red tape, by central targets and by PC concepts. It is not necessary to legislate against racism in such schools - mostly they will cheerfully accept children of any creed or race and leave them to integrate and form friendships naturally as kids do.

Many of them place a great emphasis on physical activity and most teachers are permanently involved for at least an hour daily in after-school activities.

State schools are now so bound up with PC red tape that they cannot even ask what a parent's occupation is nor even allow an interview with a prospective parent. This is egalitarian lunacy.

When you talk about Brown caring for kids in ordinary parts of the country please explain the wholesale closure of village schools. Please do.

[Maurice - Northumberland 4 Feb 2008 10:21:49]

How come this is turned into a story?

Nothing about the likes of Dianne Abbot included - why?
The Education system is a shambles, so sending kids to private school is the responsible thing to do!
Same goes for Health and Security - you want it get it privately!

[Rae 3 Feb 2008 22:38:11]

Why don't I hear Osborne say that he will match Brown's commitment to ensuring over time that the money spent on public Education per pupil will match that of private schools so that ALL children get a good eductaion. I won't hold my breath. He doesn't give a jot about the kids from ordinary areas in this country. Brown does and that is the difference.

[Alexander taunton 3 Feb 2008 15:43:07]

WITH MOST OF THE LABOUR MPs ALL READY SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THEN CLASSED AS EXPENSES, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE, REMEMBER THE MPs MOTTO "EITHER LIKE IT OR LUMP IT"

[Simon Weston, Essex 3 Feb 2008 10:36:29]

If the state run schools were run as they should be, there would be no need for private schools. Who wants to send their kids to a school where English is not neccessarily the first lanugage?
This governments immigration policy (or lack of one) has contributed to a higher than ever need for private education.

[Lizzie/ Surrey 2 Feb 2008 21:16:53]

What a non story. It's his money he has the right to spend it as he sees fit! My two children go to private school and if I had any more I'd send them too in a heartbeat. Maybe if the present selection of schools wasn't so pityfull parents wouldn't have to pay to give their children decent education.

[Jon, cephalonia, greece 2 Feb 2008 18:17:35]

So bloody what. If he wants to send his kids to a private school, then why shouldn't he. The education system in Britian is crap, as is most things run by the Labour Goverment.

Maybe he has decided he wants to give his children the best start in life, where they wont be stabbed in the class room. If you really want to give your children the best start in life, and can't afford private schools, then get them out of the country.

[JC 2 Feb 2008 15:39:41]

So what?

"Man chooses best education he can afford for his children" - hardly news story of the year, is it??

[Robert, Scotland 2 Feb 2008 13:52:29]

Private schools are not divisive, children who attended them are well prepared for integration into society, there is plenty of evidence of this and little to the contrary.
The schools that are divisive in any society are Faith schools, these are increasing at an alarming rate in this an unhappy and disillusioned Country. The Politicians who should be aware of increasing isolation amongst different ethnic and religious groups, in a grubby attempt for votes, deny this problem and in many cases promote more Faith schools in conjunction with their class war on private schools.

[E Welshman 2 Feb 2008 11:26:07]

I detect more than a hint of bias here.

If you were to balance this report with a Labour cabinet minister who was doing the same, I would accept that you were not biased, but otherwise . . . .

[Curbishly 2 Feb 2008 11:15:39]

A bit of a non-story really.

Rabid Labourites will have their prejudices confirmed and normal people will agree with him.

[Ian, France 2 Feb 2008 10:14:31]

What do you expect any parent that can afford private education to do, given that nulab's efforts over the last 10 years have actually reduced the quality of their system's output.

[Praguetory 2 Feb 2008 10:13:56]

Any political doctrine that demonises those who do anything other than the best by their children is anathema. Happily, that is not the Conservative doctrine.

[judy from the north 2 Feb 2008 09:50:18]

The Conservatives are the only party to stand up for feedom of choice with regard to education.The Labour party want all independent schools to close or become part of the system.We should be proud of our independent schools they attract students from around the world and enhance a feeling of excellence.Many of us send our children to private schools because of poor standards lack of discipline and political correctness.George Osbourne has every right to choose the school for his children he does release his state funding for the use of other families.I was a teacher and I can tell you at present lots of us dont like what we see in the present Education system.

[Philip, Bristol 2 Feb 2008 09:18:49]

He is doing what many Labour MPs do. Send his kids to private school.

And the story is....?????

At least his party agrees with private education.

After watching the prog on tv last night about getting kids to join a choir and seeing the total lack of respect for the teacher by children who "know their right" wouldn't anybody agree with it.

The state education system is dire.

[Fluffy, London, England 2 Feb 2008 09:06:14]

Diane Abbott.

'Nuff said...!

[Rob Sutton 2 Feb 2008 03:06:34]

DIANNE ABBOT DIANNE ABBOT where is her son again?

[The Morning Post 2 Feb 2008 01:29:14]

Unlike the many champagne socialists who castigate private schools and their patrons whilst choosing the same education for their kids, Osbourn is not a hypocrite! He's never done so! One hopes that state schools will eventually provide the very best education money can buy but its unlikely. So private schools will be with us for the foreseeable future for those that have money, the same way that five star restraunts and hotels will continue to co-exist alongside Little Chefs and Travel Lodges!

[Mark, London 1 Feb 2008 23:55:46]

Dont blame him at all.
I wish I could aford to send my two sons to private school
However after excessive income tax, council tax, fuel, mortgage and everything else there is nothing left even though I earn a good wage. he must be getting it on expences

[Diablo 1 Feb 2008 23:10:08]

Why are we still fighting the class wars of thirty or forty years ago? If Osborne chooses to send his children to a fee paying school that is entirely his and his wife's decision - and his right.

If anyone tries to take the high moral ground on this on the basis that it somehow undermines the standards and provision of state funded education let them ask Tony Blair, Diane Abbott et al why they have done the same thing.

[G.King 1 Feb 2008 22:59:40]

What a pathetic post by Cheryl Smith.
Most labour ministers were educated in Private Schools and many send their children to private schools and quite honestly who can blame them.To name just a few who have sent their children to private schools:Ruth Kelly,Diane Abbot,Harman,Boeteng.
Who cares.Not worth wasting your time on this stupid topic.

[Gary Elsby 1 Feb 2008 22:58:35]

Elizabeth, you can rest assured that I can, I'm willing, and I'm very able to prove a correlation between £11,000 children and a direct route to Eton.

I can also guarantee you that I would have failed my 11+ if given half the chance to fail it.

Jealous, me? Not at all.
I'm gifted.

Gary

[mike,spain 1 Feb 2008 20:01:29]

Depends if you want your children to be able to read and write.

What people spend their money on is up to them surely.

[DENNIS HERTS 1 Feb 2008 19:44:44]

Correct me if I am wrong but I dont think any metal detectors will be instaled in private schools,I have not heard of any teachers getting attacked in private education,with news that a boy has been stabbed in the class room,I do not blame anyone putting thier child in private education.

[carol-ann livepool 1 Feb 2008 18:42:10]

To be honest, speaking only for myself, I don't have a problem with it.
I am quite happy for Giddy to send his children where he chooses.

Oh, and this will shock a few people, I actually thought the assisted places scheme helped poorer families/single parent families who had bright children.

The main thing is that state schools are well funded and standards keep driving forward.
In the past they weren't, so going to a private school gave kids disproportionate advantages e.g. in preparing them for university for example.
Now, there isn't such a big gap between state and some private schools; so I don't think we should get all hung up about it as much.

As long as the kids going to state schools have equal access into further and higher education -
as well as good standards of vocational education, I have no real objections

Dictating whether parents send their kids to private or state schools, is a bit like telling them what religion they should choose to follow.

[Peter, Fife 1 Feb 2008 18:26:47]

In my opinion he is entitled to choose either to pay for the private education for his children or opt for the state education system; having chosen private education should forever prohibit him from proffering opinions on how the state system should operate and how it be funded.

I just think it is only fair that someone should let him know that private school education for 13 years per child at £11,000 per annum equals £286,000 (not uprated for inflation), not just £22,000 for the whole of their education; this I feel this is only fair when we consider ‘his’ calculations associated with ‘his’ £1,000,000 Inheritance Tax threshold, of which little has been heard lately.

[Paul, Leeds 1 Feb 2008 18:21:19]

At least he has not been pontificating to us how we should educate our children unlike the good socialists of Labour notably Tony B Liar, Hapless Harriet Harman and Diane "I'm in it for the money" Abbott all of whom presumed to dictate to us how we should educate our kids but optedout for their own. Shameless Hypocricy!

[Victor, NW Kent 1 Feb 2008 18:03:32]

A pretty ridiculous discussion. Why should George Osborne be castigated for this? They are his children, it is his money, he is not a champagne socialist like Harman, Abbott and others. He believes in private enterprise.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 1 Feb 2008 17:53:14]

Gary
Do I get a hint of jealousy there in what you are saying " selection" indeed! They are his children and if , and I mean IF he can afford it, Osbourne can educate his children as he pleases!

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 1 Feb 2008 17:39:37]

Mr Osbourne is choosing to school his children as he pleases, Britain is a democratic country, that is his choice. Get off his case.

[Gary Esby 1 Feb 2008 17:34:09]

I think that at £11,000 per child, no other explanation need be given of what 'selection' actually means.

No wonder Tories are always putting their hands in the till, after all, Education is expensive taste they have acquired over the Centuries.

Gary

[Madnurse 1 Feb 2008 17:20:02]

I don't blame him. I sent my children to private schools back in the 1950s. I would do the same now. Successive governments have ruined education in this country.

You cannot blame any parent for opting out of the state system. I bet many poorer parents would send their kids to private schools if given a chance too and I doubt if they would be schools run by burger chains.

I know that the Stepford PTA frontbench made education a priority in their manifestos but, as with many of their flagship policies, have not delivered tangible results in proportion to the cash costs involved.
Even Labour members send their kids to private schools.

[Bruce Hulmes / England 1 Feb 2008 16:58:59]

Go on tell me no New Labourites send their children to private schools.

[Peter Chuah, Birmingham 1 Feb 2008 16:53:18]

No one can compel parents where to send their children for education. This shows the lack of faith by Osborne in the educational system as run by the Labour Government.