Are Private Schools worth it?

HappySad

Heard from Child in Our Time program that what matters for the childs acedemic success in the input the child gets from his mother (carer) and not the school he/she goes to. Having said that it would be good to get the input from the mother and to also go to a great school.

My school was an ex-grammar school which put everyone into streaming for all subjects. We studies subjects that were new to most schools like computers and technology. We even had an A-level class that was attended by just two pupils in the 6th form. The school pushed the higher band pupils to go off to University.. the down side was those on the lowest stream were assumed to not do well in their studies and were not encouraged as much as the higher streamers.

There was a lot of pressure for the higher stream to do well at every stage of school (tests, exams) and I feel that the pressure was too high sometimes and would cause me & my friends stress. I feel that this pressure to achieve was good but I feel that support to deal with the pressure to achieve and do you best was also needed. "It is not the end of the world if you don't pass test/exam XYZ and there are other routes that you can take your choosen acedemic path".

I have no experience of private school but I would image that they would be similar to my ex-grammar school where they focus more attention on the achievers and leave the lower achievers to affend for themselves.

I would be sending my son to a state school and will be looking to see which is the best one that will suit my son.

What research to you need to choose your school? Ofsted, stats results, talking to parents at the school gate, visit school and speak to head master; look at children's behaviour at the school gate. Is there anything else that can be done on the research area of a school?

silvercar

I have no experience of private school but I would image that they would be similar to my ex-grammar school where they focus more attention on the achievers and leave the lower achievers to affend for themselves.

I have one child at a grammer school and one at a private school.

The grammer school pushes each child to exceed their academic ability. For those that are competitive, enjoy school work and thrive in an academic environment this is a good choice.

The private school treats each child as an individual (and with smaller class sizes, better motivated teachers they are able to). Each child is nurtured to produce their best standards: in academic subjects, sports, music and to become responsible members of adult society. Non-academic children are not left out in the cold but are encouraged in the areas that they can do well, at the same time ensuring they get the best education suited to their needs available to them.

All private schools are different but when you look at the private sector you are openning up more choice. it should be easier to find the school that suits your child's needs.

If I had to repeat the experience I would do the same again.

tesuhoha

Have a read of my thread on Debt Free Wannabe, What Caused Your Debt in The First Place. This is my own personal experience. Are they worth it? I would say no.

Broken_hearted

Are private schools worth it. i have to say no my dad hated his so much he stopped bothering to turn up. My sister and I both went to the local school, both went to uni and both passed.

clairey_em

I would say, and I don't have any kids of my own yet, but I did go to a private school, that it depends very much on the child.

The schools around our area were not so great so my mum and dad worked really hard to send us to private school. My sister has a very short attention span (!) but is clever and once she finds a topic interesting, she's an expert. However, with school work she was terrible. but, she did very well in her exams because of the discipline and attention she was given at our school, and she would never have achieved what she did if she had not attended that school. she left the school to do her a levels at a normal sixth form college, and needless to say, spent 3 years, after changing her courses once, doing not a lot and came away with nothing. she has since been very successful in her career as she managed to hone in on her specialty, dealing with people, and has made a lot of money, which is LUCKY! many people don't, private school or not. but i think she wanted to prove to my mum and dad that she could do well.

I am a bit different, I was always one of the smartest at my primary school, then went to private school and was suddenly in the middle. I have always been quite quiet and was really desperate to do well but was made to feel a bit inadequate, which I did. I stayed there for my a levels and did well, but had a shock when I left to go to uni, as I was left to my own devices. but I picked it up towards the end and got my degree and now am doing the job of my dreams. I also would never have done so well if I had not gone to a private school, so I am very grateful to my parents(although I wasn't then, school uniform was brown and there were no boys)

but I was a bit insecure anyway, and it did make it worse.
However, I will endeavour to send my kids to a private school, but only if we can afford it and there are no decent state schools in the area, and I think they will personally benefit.

Sorry to ramble!! x x :rolleyes:

Fiona11

When we started looking around at schools for my DD and DS, we looked at state and Private schools. We came across some very bad state schools and some good ones. We also visited some very nice private schools and some private schools that were ok but nothing special. In the end we opted for a private school, not because it was private but because we loved the school. Financially, it has been a massive commitment, but we decided to give our children the best start in lift that we could. I believe different schools are right for different children (and families). My children , have by no means, turned out snobs, but have very good manners, are polite, kind, patient and considerate. Friends, that have children at the local state school, always comment on their table manners, ability to use the english language and their good behaviour. this of course could also be obtained from a state school, but in a private school they are usually mixing with like minded children.

Sending our children to private school, was the best thing we ever did. They only went to private school in their primary years and then to the local grammer.

Voyager2002

Take a look at post #4! A great advertisement for private education -- NOT! Any school system that turns out adults who make so many elementary spelling mistakes and grammatical errors in a short post is really one to avoid.

in_my_wellies

flutterbybutterfly - I think you are exactly right,

A reminder to everyone who chooses a private school. Take out the insurance incase
you get sick and can't pay.

We did for the first two and luckily we never used it. We didn't take it out on the third (funds were tight when paying for three) but my DH is very ill and will probably not be returning to work. The youngest has 5 years to go and whilst school will help a little remaining fees will did deep into savings/ pension

salli9

My son won a scholarship, he would NEVER have fitted in at the local schools, I knew it was the only route for him. He has been a bit of a rebel, doesn't do much work, but he has enjoyed it, and has been happy. He has studied Latin and Greek and three sciences as seprate subjects, not available in state schools. However my daughter will probably get better grades at her state school. Horses for courses!!!!

wonderfullife_2

Hi
I would say a child would learn no matter what school he/she went to. High achievers, are just that high achievers and will do well wherever they go, the local primary/comp or private school.

Of course you can always look at the stats for your local schools, to see which are achieving better results academically, if thats what you want.

So I would save my money, as I believe that they are not worth it.