Private vs. State
Private vs. State Education
- Brits split on private v state education
- Only just over half of those privately educated feel it was worth it (55%)
- But still 64% of Brits who would pay/have paid for private education believe that private education gives children many opportunities
A whopping seventy two per cent of adults received a state education versus just one in ten (11%) who went to private schools, and the majority (66%) of Brits wouldn?t pay/haven?t paid for private education for their children, versus the eighteen per cent who have or say they would in the future.
Interestingly, of those adults who received a private education themselves, forty-five per cent would send their child to private school versus forty per cent who wouldn?t, despite the fact that not much more than half are of the opinion that it was worth the money spent (55%). A meager fifteen per cent of state educated Brits would send or have sent their children private.
For the eighteen per cent who have/would pay for private education, the plethora of opportunities, standard of facilities, and small classes are some of the reasons cited:
The top five reasons for private education:
- To provide as many opportunities as possible (64%)
- The classes are smaller which means more focused attention (51%)
- You pay for a better education (50%)
- The facilities are better (44%)
- There will be better job opportunities (31%)
Whilst our education system seems to be in constant flux, many Brits do stand strong when it comes to supporting the state school sector, with the majority (66%) preferring this option of education. Of those who would not pay/ have not paid for private education for their children seventeen per cent believe that state schools create a sense of community and one in seven (15%) think that a state education is just as good as a private one. A fifth (19%) are of the opinion that students from private schools do not understand the real world.
Top five reasons for state education:
- Unable to afford anything elset (39%)
- Supporting the concept of state education (36%)
- It?s a right as a UK taxpayer to receive a free educationt (32%)
- A state education brings together local children regardless of wealth, culture or religion (29%)
- Private schools breed elitism (22%)
James Endersby, managing director of Opinium Research, commented: ?In Britain we are privileged to have such an established and diverse education system, but it?s interesting to see the differences and perceived benefits offered by each. It?s such an important journey for a child to undertake, and choosing the best and most appropriate form of education will go some way to ensure that he or she has a positive start to that journey.?
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,007 nationally representative (UK adults aged 18+)
