Will Do Anything to Get Children into Best Schools - British Parents

Getting admission into a decent secondary school for their children seems to be a major preoccupation with British parents who are ready to do anything to get just that, reveals a new poll.

For parents who are ambitious for their youngsters but cannot afford to buy private education, more than half said they would be willing to move house while 43 per cent said, bluntly, they would do "whatever it takes".

Nine per cent said they would lie about where they live, 22 per cent said they would go to church to get into a good religious school and 11 per cent said they would give a cash donation.

The poll has been conducted by website Netmums.

Some 53 per cent of those polled said there was a big difference between their preferred school and others in their area.

More than a quarter of parents feel it is unfair and favours better-off families able to afford to buy houses close to good schools.

And, if their child does not get the preferred place, 27 per cent would fight the decision "all the way" while 68 per cent would appeal. Just 21 per cent would accept it.

The poll also revealed that parents of younger children are more likely to go to any lengths, with 43 per cent of those with pre-schoolers and 44 per cent of those with primary children will do whatever it takes, compared with 39 per cent of those with older children.

"Applying for a secondary school is terrifying and stressful. Parents know this decision impacts on your child's education and on their friendship circle, social life, extra curricular activities and sense of self respect," the Daily Express quoted Siobhan Freegard, of Netmums, as saying.

"It is possible to affect the outcome of the process by moving house and/or by paying for home tutors. But this means the system often favours middle class parents, leaving others without those means at their disposal feeling powerless and sidelined," added Freegard.

Source: ANI