If you could afford to send your kids to a private school, would you?

[juicychops]

or would you choose for them to go to a 'normal' state school?

just curious what your responses will be

[BastardDog]

Yes, preferably one that was a boarding school.

[usualsuspect]

No

[Geordieminx]

Yes, and after today's constant stream of whining and whinging, it would def be a boarding school!

[Pissfarterleech]

I can and don't, just now as the local state primary school is second to none.

Probably will at 14 for some of them, not all my kids. Different schools suit different children. The very structured, strict private school will suit my DD1, the more relaxed state secondary will suit laid back DS1.

I choose the schools that best suit each child, rather than whether they are free or not.

[SazZaVoom]

We could if I upped my hours. However we have good (not outstanding) primaries and a fair few grammar schools. We have gone with state education for now, but would review if we were unhappy with how dd's school experiences were panning out.

Dh went to a top independent and I went to the local comp. We are therefore sitting on the fence somewhere in between

[inmysparetime]

I would, I think the smaller class sizes would benefit them, and they'd get to network with more influential people. I can't afford private school though, but I did move to a nicer area so my kids could get into better state schools. It's probably not a choice everyone would make, but I am happy with my decision, and my kids are happy in their schools

[WorzselMummage]

Absolutely.

[SamsungAndDelilah]

if it offered a better education than they could get at the state school they're allocated.

"better" includes more appropriate for that particular child.

if I could afford to send them to Eton I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[scaevola]

Maybe - if I thought that was the right school for that particular child, then yes. Which sector and type of school is less important than what I'd actually happening during the school day.

[southeastastra]

yeah i'd send them to bedales where they can ponce about with famous people's kids and i can have soirees with them

[norriscoleforpm]

definitely. We're looking at the possibilty of a bursary for dd already - for year 3 - as I am convinced she'd be better off in a private school. Howvere, ds who is less able but very easy going and sporty is fine at his sstate secondary so it wouldn't be considered. it really does depend on the child I think (unless of course it's a normal thing in your family and children automatically go to independant schools iyswim)

[Anotherchance]

Absolutely no way! But then I live in an area with two Outstanding secondaries and one very good, expecting to be pronounced oustanding in the next couple of weeks, secondary!

Have to be honest, though, my children are currently at a primary school that is highly likely to fail OFSTED and I wouldn't send them somewhere else. I have had to invest a lot of time as a parent, but it's been worth every second and my children have learned some very valuable lessons about the real world.

I don't trust independents - I've had a fair bit to do with a number, including big names (long story), and the teachers methods tend to come out of the ark and they're not a patch on the teaching at our amazing secondaries. They survive because of parental pressure (they are paying afterall) and the obvious advantage of hand picking from social groups who instantly value education. Put many of the teachers in the state sector and you'd create some spectacularly failing schools overnight!

Sorry, I know that's strong, but it's an opinion based on having a certain amount of priveleged access into the private sector.

[TheMonster]

Yes I would. It opens doors.
I am a teacher in a state school, and I have also worked in a private school.
I would do anything to have my son not have to mix with some of the idiots it state school.

[prolificwillybreeder]

Most definitely.

[RitaMorgan]

Absolutely not.

[Sinkingfeeling]

Are there no idiots in private schools, bodyofeeyore?

[ByTheSea]

I would have always said no, but DS2-14 is at an independent special school (EBD) which is absolutely fantastic. There were no state schools which could meet his complex needs. It is extremely expensive and I am so grateful that I don't have to pay. My others are at a variety of state schools, including a comp, a superselective girls' grammar and a state primary.

[TheFallenMadonna]

No.

[mandoo]

No

[MirandaWest]

No, i don't think I would. Makes it easier as I couldn't but even if soneone else paid i dont think I would.

[TheMonster]

Of course, yes, but the class sizes are smaller and, in my experience, disruption is much less and much more swiftly dealt with and not tolerated in the classroom.

[WoodBetweenTheWorlds]

No. I can afford it but I'm very happy with our local state school and I don't subscribe to the view that education must automatically be better if you pay for it.

If I was unhappy with state provision and thought that a private school would do better, I would reconsider.

[Moomoomie]

Yes i would. I would find a private school that specialised in Foetal Alcohol Effects and send my dd there. Hopefully she will get more support than she is at the moment.

[said]

No, and I probably could afford it. But seeing BodyofEyeore's comments makes me hope she will send hers

[MollieO]

Ds is at prep but will only go on to private secondary if he gets a stonkingly high scholarship. At the moment I justify fees as an alternative to paying a CM (school has great wraparound care). Not sure I will need that level of childcare when he is 13-14!

Class sizes are smaller and expectations are higher. I know people who have recently transferred their dcs from the school to very good local state schools and they said the standard at prep is higher. Of course that is easier to achieve in classes half the size of the state ones so it isn't a fair comparision.

He has just gone into yr 3 and I can't believe the ramp up in terms of work, discipline and expectations.