There really are a lot of factors to consider when deciding how and where to educate those very precious children. The state system in UK is well organised and give a very rounded education if you can gloss over the terrifying woke left wing overtones that have always ruled the teaching profession. But it is true to say that unless they go to grammar school or better still, fee paying ‘public school’ a student of the state system will need to really go something to get a place at one of the top universities the country. The old boys’ network or system still favours the old families who have always supported the public school system. To be a barrister or solicitor of note, there is a definite best route from pre prep school through several years at the big school, taking the correct set of subjects to suit the eventual career. Then there will be the need to get a top grade in the exterior exams plus passing the Oxbridge exams if a place at Cambridge or Oxford is sought. The average cost of a life of paid for education at a good quality public school will be about £400,000. That is without the massive extras for sports or music lessons. To be honest, any family who is following a line of previous generations will be very familiar with the path and will view it as the only route to the right Chambers or Hospital if going medical.
However, doing well through the state school system is not as difficult as the above may make it seem. An enlightened head of department will ensure the teachers in his set will know exactly which exams are needed to which career and if they teach any of the favoured subjects, then they will be fully au fait with what is needed to get their students off the stating line. There used to be a careers department in all secondary schools (equivalent to High School) and this would be handled by existing teachers in the school and would be an add on to be helpful. But on the whole a dedicated teacher will go above and beyond to ensure students can reach their desired career and will leave the school prepared with the right set of exam results. The state schools in UK do not charge for teaching as these costs come out of the domestic rating system – i.e. the amount the parents pay to the local County Council who are the suppliers of the education. There is a charge for being taught at university – which is called a student loan. This is claimed for in the name of the child, or student but is actually based on the earnings of the main care provider in the family. There are two elements to this ‘loan’; the main fee for tuition on a 3 termly basis and then the living expenses which is generally a grant and doesn’t have to be repaid when the child actually get out of the education into their first job. To help a child come out of the university system without racking up a massive debt with their Student loan, parents have been known to borrow the money and pay up front from as may of these fees as possible.
There are ways and means to get to the top of a profession but it needs planning and a dedication that is second to none.
