state school v independent school

badgerbread

don't know if this is in the right place if not sorry!

My daughter is doing her G.C.S.E's this year and has been predicted A/B's in all her subjects she now wants to go and do her A Levels after however she does not really want to do them at her present school which is state run. She has big ambitions as we have always brought her up this way. She would love to go to a school which really delivers the grades and has good teaching all I can find looking into it are the best schools in the London area which we live in are Independent schools.

I know we could apply for bursaries and scholarships but how likely am I to get one of these for her because on paper it looks like we earn good money about £50,000 between us but that is without the debts and motgage coming out. I really can't afford the £5000 termly fees that seem to be the average that are requsted. Has anyone got any ideas on my likelyhood of being accepted I just don't want to build her hopes up and then have them dashed for her. Or if anyone knows of an excellent state 6th form school that would also be fantastic thanks guys and again sorry if this is written in the wrong place.

not_tonight_josephine_2

it sounds like she is doing really well at her current school, why exactly does she/you feel a move is necessary?

looby-loo_2

Be careful because universities usually set higher grades for students from private schools than state schools, also, at colleges of FE most students are doing a course because they want to be there so there are fewer behavioural issues than in school thus making the classroom setting about the same as private school. Of course this depends on the subject she chooses

msb5262

You're asking for recommendations of schools but more detail is needed - I know of an excellent state school sixth form in London but obviously it would depend entirely where you live. If you let us know a postcode or area, you may get some useful information.
I'm also unsure why you feel independent would automatically be better...remember that independent schools which "deliver the grades" are helped to do this by having smaller classes, picking the brightest pupils and often by pupils having private tuition in addition to school, sometimes from age 7 up!
The grades these schools produce are also a reflection of the socio-economic background of most of their pupils - it isn't simply a matter of good teaching. Many state schools do a fantastic job and if your daughter is doing so well now, you might want to consider leaving her where she is.

peachyprice

To be honest, to qualify for a scholarship/bursary she's probably going to have to raise her grades to A*/A's and most likely on the G&T register at her current school. She would be up against other pupils who are exceptional.

Firefly

DS has applied to an independent school. Hes a nationally ranked athlete, A' grade G&T student (that's gifted and talented, not an alcoholic beverage!) in four subjects and a county athlete in four different sports.

He's been offered a scholarship to the maximum they offer although when we submitted a bursary request it seems that they will only offer a further 10%. I have a salary of less than £25k and am a single parent.

We paid to submit the application and were assured at the time that 100% fees were available.

Unfortunately the standard of teaching, choice of subjects, athletic coaching and facilities aren't available locally.

We're facing huge disappointment as there are few places that you can apply to that will support either indivudals or offer help totalling more than a few hundred pounds.

Good luck with your quest.

silvercar

Some of the big private schools offer very good scholarships.

You need to be honest with your daughter. At 16 she is old enough to understand that she can only go private if you get a bursary or scholarship. Phone some schools and ask what they can offer you. I think City of London and St Pauls offer scholarships.

What area are you in?

rainbow81

Hi there

I don't know if you've looked into private tuition after college to add to the state education of your daughter?

Why doesn't she want to continue at her school?

inkie

I personally would not be concerned about a state 6 form. If your daughter is bright, then she will do well. The 6th form environment is very different to secondary school. The students are there because they want to go there. I would save the £££s for when she goes to uni. Thats the plan for with our DD - whose sitting her GCSE's in Y9

badgerbread

I am sorry not sure how to quote different messages in one so I'll just reply to the questions in one.

It is my Daughter that has decided she no longer wants to be at the school. When she first went to the school I was not happy about her going there as it has a terrible reputation I tried to persuade her that another school would be better however she threw a wobbler and really wanted to go to this school. I let her go on the understanding that if her grades dropped (as she was doing extremly well in primary school) I would take her out an move schools. It now seems the tables have turned and she wants to move schools herself her ambition is to go to Westminster university to study Law.

We live in the Barking and Dagenham area but travel into London is not a problem

thanks for all your advice so far

peachyprice

How about state schools further into Essex, they might be worth a look, they will be better than B&D but you won't have to fork out for private. Brentwood schools are supposed to be very good, not sure about Romford? Or there are schools Chigwell and Woodford.