Private Education on average income? Anyone else?

brians_daughter

We looked into this for ds1 a few years ago.. the fees in themselves were doable but it was the silly cost of uniform and school trips that put us off sending him there.. we didnt want him being singled out as we couldnt afford the trips etc and we felt that the childrens parents that we had met were all very well off and we didnt want ds1 realising he was the 'poor boy' , if in reality this was the case we will never know.

We also looked at the social aspect of it, none of the children lived close to us so he couldnt just go and play with x, y or z. In the end we settled on the local school where he has lots of friends close by, the OFSTED report was outstanding and we paid for 5 hours private tutoring each week (worked out at 20 hours a month at £200)

So all in all he got the 'best of both' ie socially he was with his peers from locally and educationally he got additional assistance via the tutor. Couldnt have worked out better for us.

emsywoo123

kafkathecat wrote: »

As gingin says most private schools are not interested in supporting children with any extra needs, have you talked to them about this? I know of children who have been thrown out because the school didn't want their results to suffer.

DDs school could not have been more supportive with additional assistance for her dyspraxia, I think you have made quite a sweeping statement, but I do acknowledge your use of the word "most"

sad_dog_lady

can i suggest you consider.. first college.... private school online, with virtual class rooms great for add and asd freindly small classes and 200.00 a month.

sad_dog_lady

my son is now at a 30k a year private school, courtisey of tax payers, but prior to that due to his needs even whilst on income support.! we used first college and there are others, they log in from their home computers and virtually chat to other kids in the class whilst teacher delivers lessons and chats to them, it is a private education, at home.

MrsE_2

msb5262 wrote: »

Another issue the OP might like to consider is that on top of actual fees, things like uniform, sports equipment and trips can work out extremely expensive for the posh schools. Also children at posh schools mix with posh kids to whom it's quite normal to have a pony, ski every Christmas, go to the Caribbean regularly, be given a car/flat/house at the age of 18...not sure it's a very good environment for children whose family income is never going to run to any of those things.
MsB

Thats my feelings too. I think it could be very isolating for a child if they didn't fit in. Its a different way of life.

swiss69

Have you considered moving to an area where class sizes are small in school. Many rural areas have smaller class sizes.

Personally I think its a waste of money unless your can afford it without it affecting your lifestyle.

If you have to give up holidays etc I think thats a shame. Kids remember things like that more when they are older.

I know people who went to private schools who work in call centres and banks earning £15k a year. To me thats a waste.

If it costs £10k a year and I had it spare I think i would rather invest it and buy them a house outright rather than hope private school gets them a better job. My view is that even in state school talented kids usually do well if they have supportive parents and a stable background.

mandragora_2

ManicMum wrote: »

hello

I am debating whether to apply for a bursary for my daughter to go to a private school. She may have Attention Deficit Disorder (being assessed) and the smaller class sizes would be beneficial to her, I think.

Unless it's something they specialise in, I wouldn't mention ADD to them. You're likely to find all the places/bursaries suddenly gone, and may be advised that your child will be 'better suited to state sector' or 'happier elsewhere, better suited to your child''s specific needs'.

Experience? 25 yrs state sector; OH works in private sector. They don't mess around with kids who won't keep their results high or who might interrupt the learning of others, which is exactly what they'll hear as soon as you say Attention Deficit.

rachbc

mandragora wrote: »

Unless it's something they specialise in, I wouldn't mention ADD to them. You're likely to find all the places/bursaries suddenly gone, and may be advised that your child will be 'better suited to state sector' or 'happier elsewhere, better suited to your child''s specific needs'.

Experience? 25 yrs state sector; OH works in private sector. They don't mess around with kids who won't keep their results high or who might interrupt the learning of others, which is exactly what they'll hear as soon as you say Attention Deficit.

If your child has ADD why would you want them going to a school that didn't support with it? You need to establish what their attitude to the condition and support available is before anything imo.

Imp

msb5262 wrote: »

Another issue the OP might like to consider is that on top of actual fees, things like uniform, sports equipment and trips can work out extremely expensive for the posh schools. Also children at posh schools mix with posh kids to whom it's quite normal to have a pony, ski every Christmas, go to the Caribbean regularly, be given a car/flat/house at the age of 18...not sure it's a very good environment for children whose family income is never going to run to any of those things.
MsB

When I went to a fee paying school in the 80s/90s there were an above average number of pupils whose family did not have a car, and the PTA organised a second hand uniform day every year before school started. There were fights breaking out between mothers for blazers.

emg

Definitely check out the attitude of the school and find out how they will support your child's additional needs. Some private schools have a very good reputation for special needs but, as several people have mentioned, some are far less inclusive. I work with a number of children with special needs who have moved back into state schools. Some of the private schools have asked parents to pay extra money to fund professional assessments or classroom assistants. I have also been aware of a school holding a child back in reception for two extra years. As others have said, private schools do not have the same obligations to support a child with special needs as the state schools do.