Earl Aelfheah

I don't think anyone has suggested that independent schools are not entitled to be registered as charities. It is self evident that they are. There has been no suggestion that they do not comply with a legal definition or that they are breaking the law.

Anyone know what's happening to the old Haus of Wood / Soupdragon site?

BTW - I genuinely mean it when I say that I wouldn't criticise any individual for seeking to give their child a 'leg up'. It's just that in my opinion, this is what you are are doing. Wanting your kid to have the best chances in life is honourable. I just don't think it's reasonable to claim that private education is actually motivated by the public interest.

LondonMix, that's nicely put and the most convincing defence of their charitable status that I've heard. I guess the outcome of their work - the fact that for many, independent schools appear to entrench social inequality is an issue. Rightly, or wrongly, the perception is that they primarily serve the interests of a fairly narrow and already privileged group of people, which doesn't seem compatible with the 'charity' label. It's not as though they are voluntary giving help to those in need. They are providing a superior service, mainly to those who can afford it, in order for them to gain a personal advantage.

There is no doubt that they contribute something to the community ? I mean it would be a pretty sad state of affairs if they didn?t right? Even the local estate agents sponsor community events, I mean that?s just basic civility right? It?s not too much to expect an organisation of their size to occasionally open up their facilities, or reach out to those in the local area in some way. The fact that people seem to consider that this amounts to significant acts of charity is actually pretty sad.

Again, that's an example of a charitable act. It doesn't make JAGS a charity in the sense that most people would understand it. Many big corporate enterprises undertake charitable acts and donate large amounts of money to good causes, but it's not their primary function.

I don't understand the attempt to paint independent schools as charitable organisations being run in the interests of all, or even more absurdly, the needy. They are run for the benefit of a small minority of often already privileged children. If you pay a large amount of money to give your child a competitive advantage over others (and I wouldn't criticise you for it) then why not be upfront about it. Drop all the chicanery.

steveo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A friend of mine got his daughter into Jags then > was almost immediately made redundo. The school > cheerfully covered her fees for five years. That's an example of a charitable act. It doesn't make JAGS a charity in the sense that most people would understand it. Many big corporate enterprises undertake charitable acts and donate large amounts of money to good causes, but it's not their primary function.

It's not a case of which pre-dates the other. My post was a response to the suggestion that private schools in some way aid / support the state sector by their very existence. I don't necessarily have a problem with independent schools, but I do dislike the attempt to paint them as charitable organisations being run in the interests of all. They clearly are about providing an advantage to a minority of often, already privileged children. If you send your child to a private school in order to bestow such an advantage upon them, then you ought to be relaxed enough with that decision to declare your motivations without the double speak.

As of a few minutes ago, the petition has 811 supporters. Would be great to make it 1,000 or more. If you haven't already signed please do and please share it with those you know. http://www.change.org/p/heygate-estate-scandal-demand-an-investigation

There is a lot of private school bashing on the forum today.

amydown Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > As thee parents don't get any tax deduction for education expenses > coming out of their net pay, the state doesn't > lose out and it provides more space in the state > system. Not quite true (Top public schools using charity status to help parents reduce tax bills): http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/20/wealthy-parents-save-on-tax-bills-thanks-to-private-schools-39-charitable-status.aspx

Private Schools drain the state system of talented teachers, pupils and parents. The state system loses a great deal when parents decide to withdraw their children, their energy and talents and instead invest them (along with considerable financial resources) in to competing with it. It's about giving your own child a competitive advantage in the world, by ensuring that all schools are not the same. Fair enough perhaps, but it seems disingenuous to pretend it's something else. amydown Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Given the shortage of state school places, I think > the more they can do to encourage quality > education through the private sector, the better. > > People who then end up sending their kids to > private school are, at the same time, relieving > pressure on the state school. As thee parents > don't get any tax deduction for education expenses > coming out of their net pay, the state doesn't > lose out and it provides more space in the state > system. > > If private schools were to lose charitable status > and therefore tax paying, for instance, the cost > would get passed onto parents. That would have a > huge knock on impact on already-stretched state > system capacity.

Fundamentally, a school which charges pupils thousands of pounds a term for their education is not a charity. Can anyone honestly suggest that it is, in the sense that most reasonable people would understand it? The rest is just spin.

They should have to not just refund the ticket, but pay compensation when people are delayed.

Interesting article here on Southwark's 'record straightening': http://35percent.org/blog/2014/09/20/setting-the-record-straight/

It's good that Southwark Council wish to set the record straight. I assume they will be supporting the call for an independent review then?

This is nice (Top public schools using charity status to help parents reduce tax bills): http://news.tes.co.uk/b/news/2014/02/20/wealthy-parents-save-on-tax-bills-thanks-to-private-schools-39-charitable-status.aspx

DadOf4 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I know one club that provides free membership to > kids who otherwise wouldn?t be able to play their > sport ? that same club made a loss last year. But > they still have to keep shelling out to Dulwich > estate. ^ it is hard to argue with the perversity of this situation.

Was the monkey riding on the back of a cloud?

Not just 'some stuff out' - first release in 13 years. Jah Lush Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Aphex Twin has some stuff out.

I have asked James Barber whether he will support an investigation. He's been a bit unwell, so he's not had a chance to respond yet, but will keep you posted.

http://logonoid.com/images/thumbs/aphex-twin-logo.png

Asset Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, at a guess, I'd say that the people whose > kids are at Heber will say Heber is better and the > people whose kids are at Goodrich will say > Goodrich is better. > I think they are pretty much of a muchness. Very > close to each other, similar size, similar > demographic. Don't know what the parity is > regarding 'results' but they can be found on the > web I'm sure. > > I'd put the closest one first personally. Exactly this^

It's ridiculous that independent schools are given charitable status in my opinion. I really can't see any justification for it.