Would you send your child to a private school?

JC9297

Tammer wrote: »

. My girlfriend summed up the difference between private and public schooling as "At private schools it's not uncool to be clever".

I think this is one of the best things about my son's state school, you can be cool and clever (even boys), which probably is one of the reasons the results are so good. Although to be honest I think the fact that a large proportion of the kids come from middle class families with high expectations and involved parents (like most private schools) may have some bearing.

Accountant_Kerry

Tammer wrote: »

I suppose it's a question of priorities.

If I had the cash then yes I'd send a child to a private school. My girlfriend summed up the difference between private and public schooling as "At private schools it's not uncool to be clever".

The amazing thing is that many people wouldn't consider sending their kid to a private school but would happily blow £3000 on all the stuff for a newborn and £20k on their wedding.

I totally agree with this, i spent less than £400 on all the stuff i needed for her when she was born for example, I had £1000 in savings for her by the time she was 6 months as we bought 2nd hand clothes etc and cheaper items, example £90 cot and mattress (brand new) £80 travel system also new, about £50 on clothes up to 6 months etc etc. i would rather be able to provider her with the best education rather than stuff that is really just for show when shes too young to know the difference.

cskay

BTW state schools feel free but in actual we are paying through our noses by paying high taxes. We will only appreciate good free education once government decides to start charging, considering it a benefit that country can't afford. Having got my education from a country where state schools are actually rubbish I don't see in most cases the premium that private schools charge here, worth it.

property.advert

I am a product of a comprehensive system which does not work for the brightest when even in the top of 8 streams, there was so much diversity of talent that those at the top were stifled and bored. Those at the bottom dragged us down. I don't want that for my kids.

However, you could argue that a child at a higher level (not top) fee paying school costs about £50,000 of pre tax income. With inflation, even just covering the 11 to 18 years for two kids is going to be the best part of a million pounds of pre tax income. This is not feasible for the vast majority.

If you think about having to save for a deposit for your own house, paying off student loans, paying rent, feeding a pension, having a life even, there is no room for school fees for the majority. The only way you are going to be able to afford it is if help comes from elder generations in one way or another.

There are just not many jobs which pay £150,000 plus when you are 25 years old.

Lunar_Eclipse

property.advert wrote: »

I am a product of a comprehensive system which does not work for the brightest when even in the top of 8 streams, there was so much diversity of talent that those at the top were stifled and bored. Those at the bottom dragged us down. I don't want that for my kids.

However, you could argue that a child at a higher level (not top) fee paying school costs about £50,000 of pre tax income. With inflation, even just covering the 11 to 18 years for two kids is going to be the best part of a million pounds of pre tax income. This is not feasible for the vast majority.

If you think about having to save for a deposit for your own house, paying off student loans, paying rent, feeding a pension, having a life even, there is no room for school fees for the majority. The only way you are going to be able to afford it is if help comes from elder generations in one way or another.

There are just not many jobs which pay £150,000 plus when you are 25 years old.

You could. But the best schools, academically speaking, are generally much cheaper. There are several independent senior schools at the top of the league tables that cost under £15k year; some are still below £4k/term for day pupils.

Whilst it is still a significant financial outlay, it doesn't need to be in the region mentioned. Not all schools are as expensive as Eton and Cranleigh, for example.

Jewel_2

property.advert wrote: »

I am a product of a comprehensive system which does not work for the brightest when even in the top of 8 streams, there was so much diversity of talent that those at the top were stifled and bored. Those at the bottom dragged us down. I don't want that for my kids.

However, you could argue that a child at a higher level (not top) fee paying school costs about £50,000 of pre tax income. With inflation, even just covering the 11 to 18 years for two kids is going to be the best part of a million pounds of pre tax income. This is not feasible for the vast majority.

If you think about having to save for a deposit for your own house, paying off student loans, paying rent, feeding a pension, having a life even, there is no room for school fees for the majority. The only way you are going to be able to afford it is if help comes from elder generations in one way or another.

There are just not many jobs which pay £150,000 plus when you are 25 years old.

My daughter's private school costs about £12,000 a year (not boarding), which I suppose equates to about £20,000 at tops pre-tax. I can work longer hours and she attends homework clubs and could stay any tme (although she doesn't) and life is soooo much easier. So, in theory, I have a stressful schooling experience which makes me able to earn more to pay for it.

SarahLou

That is another dilemma of mine. My daughter has only recently started nursery and I'm already missing out on "mummy time" (even though she is only there 3 hours a day!) (Something I dare say I'll get used to but it is hard - its made me think about whether the longer days at independent schools are an advantage for young students or not - is it fair to have a young child (pre-prep to prep age) there from 8:00am to 6:00pm, for example?) Such a difficult one.

Another difficulty for me is knowing which area to aim for - we live between two cities, each has their own independent schools. We've visited a few in one city but none in the other city yet. At the moment I work much nearer to one city than the other so that would be the most logical option but I don't plan on working there much longer (I'm on the casual job hunt!) so I'm in a right quandry, again, because, although the options of breakfast clubs, etc, are always available for early drop-offs, I would struggle with the fact that my daughter would be so young. For senior years it would be fine but for someone age say 5, 7 or even 9, its a hellishly long day.

richardvc

Yes I would send mine (if I had any and could afford it) to a private school.

I was privately educated and had a great education, took part in everything they offered (the sports were brilliant) and it gave me an excellent grounding in life.

There are many arguments for and against but I can only see good coming from it - the real answer in my mind is the economics and that is the one only you can decide.

If your job is secure and you know your income is guaranteed for the next 10/15 years then it's a great move.

BTW, you can send them as a 'day' pupil which makes it cheaper but they will be missing out on a lot of the community stuff by not boarding.

victor2

We were fortunate enough to be in a position to send our two daughters to private schools from very early ages, but I always say to people that once you start with a private education, you've got to be able to see it through to the end of their school days - and that's a frightening committment. By the time our youngest was approaching 6th form, we took the hard decision that we really couldn't afford the private school any longer and put her into a state 6th form college, which she went along with without any complaints.
On her first day in the 6th form, the teacher walked into the classroom and she stood up out of respect as she had been taught. Nobody else stood up and she was a little embarrassed. I was inwardly devastated when she told me, even though we managed to laugh it off. However, both girls are adults now with a university education behind them and no scars from their education, so I suppose it all turned out OK.

SarahLou

victor2 wrote: »

We were fortunate enough to be in a position to send our two daughters to private schools from very early ages, but I always say to people that once you start with a private education, you've got to be able to see it through to the end of their school days - and that's a frightening committment.

Thats another worry of mine - I would hate to see my daughter get through pre-prep and prep only to then have to get dumped in a state secondary as it'd be even more of a shock to the system for her.