Are Private Schools worth it?

MonkeySaving?

I can't be arsed to read the whole thread, but the answer is no.

tomstickland

There is no definitive answer. Some state schools are very good. Some private schools are very good. The rest fit the rest of the sprectrum. Some pupils will do better in a certain environment, some schools will provide what they need, be it private or state.

The state system will have them tread water for the next couple of years, killing time until they can be measured and guess what they will have done 'well enough'. There is not the time or people power for the more able.

This is exactly the problem my parents had back in the late 70s. They took a very disruptive son along to an educationcal physchologist who did some tests and concluded "he's very bright, the school is holding him back and boring him." My parents took a very brave step and despite not having the money, sent him to a fee paying school. They sometimes tell me the stories of how the sums did not add up at all, yet they managed to send three children to fee paying schools. It makes me laugh when people on here accuse fee paying schools of being for the rich and priveleged (which some are) when they have no idea of the spartan conditions and tough times we went through.

Personally I find the whole spoon fed educational system dull. I only started to enjoy myself properly at university, where I liked the way that self motivation was the key. The teaching was the starting point and the rest was a personal journey based on books from the library.

missysx

i have only read the first two pages of replies.

i have 2 sons, oldest who is 6 and youngest who is 4.

my oldest son is top of his class in every subject, however i am worried that if he goes to a state secondary school when he's older, that his enthuasiam will dwindle and he may well drop down and for this reason, i have been discussing with my OH weither it would be a good idea to send him to private school at secondary level.
however if we did do this it would only be as a day student, not as a boarding student.
as for affording it. My OH earns good money and by the time he is of secondary school age my wages should cover the costs...

as for our youngest son, we haven't discussed that yet as he's only in nursery at the moment and starts school in september.. but i would do what i thought was best for him too...

shockingmoment

Our two children went to a local state primary. Felt they were held back treading water - not overly bright but in top 1/3 of their resp. classes. One day, 8yo daughter came home and called her nan a 'fiick head'. Took them both out and transferred to a local prep school. Order of magnitude different in lots of very positive ways - attitude, expectation, support, encouragement, respect etc etc.
Both passed 11+ and are doing well in local grammars.

Both have a wide social mix of friends. Both are well balanced.

Do it again? Most certainly. Wouldn't even consider local state primary.

BTW, I went through the state system - pulled my sec mod school down after I left - beyond salvation. Really really bad school. Police there every week. Poor GCEs (age giveaway there) then I earned two degrees incl a Masters.

So I've seen both sides. It would be preferable for state system to be better. But its not.

So you have a choice. So do your MPs and PM. What do they do? Where do they put their trust?

looby-loo_2

missysx wrote: »

i have only read the first two pages of replies.

i have 2 sons, oldest who is 6 and youngest who is 4.

my oldest son is top of his class in every subject, however i am worried that if he goes to a state secondary school when he's older, that his enthuasiam will dwindle and he may well drop down and for this reason, i have been discussing with my OH weither it would be a good idea to send him to private school at secondary level.
however if we did do this it would only be as a day student, not as a boarding student.
as for affording it. My OH earns good money and by the time he is of secondary school age my wages should cover the costs...

as for our youngest son, we haven't discussed that yet as he's only in nursery at the moment and starts school in september.. but i would do what i thought was best for him too...

We did the same for the same reasons. I pay out of my income which luckily went up as the fees did. I had one year with four to fund but we managed.

shazrobo

I have twin sons who started a state high school last september, even tho it is one of the top schools in the country for exam results, which is the reason we put them in there, the class sizes were just too big, and as my children have ADHD, they found it hard to concentrate.
So as a result we moved them, one child is in a class of 8 now, and the other is in a class of 4, needless to say they are much happier and are learning much more.

Hapless_2

Although most do, private schools do not have to use the national curriculum neither to the teachers have to be qualified teachers. Not that it makes any difference as I am not a qualified teacher and I home educate and I don't do curriculum either.

Just remember, stuff the league tables (that goes for state schools too) results are not everything, not all kids want to go to university. There will always be pressure to pass exams in any institution whether private or state.
If you believe private is right for your child, it is your choice and as long as you can afford it or your child can get the scholarships/entrance exam then go for it. As long as your child is happy where they go, that is all you need to worry about.

cells

well if you can afford it comfortably, then sent your child to a private school

FrugalFairy

I think it all depends on the state and private schools in your area that you can choose from, and which school would suit your particular child. Have a look round all the possibilities and see how you feel about them.

My son went to a state primary as it was a good school. However, the state senior schools in our area are only OKish.

We are really lucky that we have an excellent private school only 5 miles away, and when we went to visit we knew that it was the perfect school for our son. We make huge sacrifices to pay for him to go there, but it is worth every single penny because he is so happy!

A child can only gain a place at the school if they are intelligent, well behaved, enthusiastic, and have lots of extra curricular interests. All the children know that that is why they are there, and not just because they may have rich parents. As a result there is no snobbery at all.

themaccas

In my opinion YES they are worth every penny. Our children are in private schools and have experienced a fantastic level of education. DS who was predicted not to pass any GSCE's at the age of 9 (state school had written him off that early) passed all 11 of them last year and is now doing well with his A levels. DD was diagnosed as dyslexic 2 weeks after starting private school at age 7 and has specialist tuition 4 times a week. It's not only the education but the facilities, activities, and the social aspects it teaches them - manners and independence.
Maybe I've found 2 very good schools but I have no regrets. If you can afford it then go for it. It's worth a few sacrifices.