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Journalist choosing "best start in life" for son

Posted on 16th February 2009

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A war correspondent has spoken about her choice to send her son to private school, after becoming exasperated with the state school "prizes for all" philosophy.

Writing in the Times, Christina Lamb argues that state schools fail to promote competitiveness among their pupils.

She criticises what she sees as the maintained sector's failure to compare children, espousing an ethos of "all children are exactly equal".

While her son is currently at a state institution, Ms Lamb is now hoping to send him to a private school, having been "astonished by the facilities and range of activities" while exploring the independent sector.

However the main difference, the journalist writes, is the "competitive ethos" in private schools.

She adds that, as recent statistics have indicated, applications are on the rise in many independent institutions despite the financial conditions.

"Like us, people are obviously going without other things to give their children the best start in life," concludes the mother-of-one.

Child trust fund provider Family Insurance recently cautioned parents not to rule out private education solely on economic grounds.