Our daughter has a place at an Outstanding Primary School - would it be silly to pay for her to go private?

[TheJohnsonFamily]

Just what the title says.

[PlymouthMaid1]

Well it does seem a bit pointless. What would be your reasoning?

[LadyMetroland]

Main reason to go private, imo, is class sizes. It might be outstanding but won't change the fact that it's 30 kids and 1 teacher

[relaxitllbeok]

An Outstanding school is considered to be doing an outstanding job, overall, in its circumstances. That's super, but it doesn't imply that your particular child would get an outstanding education there. Don't just judge on sector - there's absolutely no reason to assume a random private school would be better for your DD - but I think if you have a choice, it would be sensible to visit and consider the specific schools you might choose.

[missyB1]

Outstanding doesn't necessarily mean it's the right school for your child, that will depend on many things. I presume you've visited both? Go with your gut feeling about where she would be happiest.

[Therealslimshady1]

Depends what you want for her for secondary, and if you like all the trappings like smart uniform, captain of the netball team or head-girl ambitions

[JugglingMum17]

I read an article once saying that private schools are not what they used to be and that state schools are doing really well. Up to you what you decide.

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/the-best-state-schools-have-pulled-ahead-of-private-schools-why-is-that-so-hard-to-accept/

[JugglingMum17]

I moved to an area which has outstanding schools with the view to getting my kids into the outstanding schools and I will prob get them a tutor.

My nieces go private and they do seem ahead slightly but will they cope with bigger class sizes when at grammar/secondary school/university.

Kids all catch up in the end.

[JugglingMum17]

Well two of my nieces are ahead. The third niece doesn't listen to the teachers so watch this space lol

[leccybill]

My DD's school is Outstanding. It was last inspected in 2009.

[hertsandessex]

In a narrow academic sense it may not make sense but quite possibly would have a much broader experience and opportunities at the private school - sports, music, drama, etc. but also non-standard academic things. Then again would only consider if you can really comfortably afford the fees.

[MrsMarigold]

I'm very sceptical of Ofsted outstanding having had experience of both the state (outstanding and good) and private sector. Personally I don't think Ofsted reviews are worth the paper they are written on. You need to get a feel for each place and decide what is best for your child.

[cingolimama]

I don't think Ofsted reviews are worth the paper they are written on
^^
This

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

If you took money out of the equation which school would you choose?

And how much would paying affect your finances?

Once you have the answers to those questions then you should be a bit clearer.

You could always see how it goes at the state school and switch to private later if your dc isn't happy

[MN164]

"If you took money out of the equation which school would you choose?
And how much would paying affect your finances?"

Ditto.

We went central London primary because we liked the feel of the place. Class sizes of 30 but young energetic teaching and a long serving good head teacher. Wide range of abilities and social classes throughout. Didn't stop both our kids exceeding the maximum SATs and getting offers from every grammar/private they applied for at 11+.

That's our experience and others will have their own story, but to right off all primary schools vs private is a mistake. There are a number of preps which have little extra to offer for the huge cost, but there are some which could be worth it for your child.

[MN164]

"right off" , perhaps I need some tutoring (which by the way ours didn't need at 11+)

[GetAHaircutCarl]

The current problem for the vast majority of state schools is the slash in funding.

This is going to get much worse going forward.

So a state school is going to be coping with underfunding. How the SLT manage that will be the question.

[PettsWoodParadise]

Unless you have a place at a private school already lined up and are thus committed to paying for the first term I suspect this question is quite academic. Any independent school worth its salt will be full and have a waiting list too. DD did private for primary - it suited her, we are now it state for secondary, which also suits her. It was more about the school than the sector. If I'd had the choice I would have done private from reception to Y2, then state after that but once out of the state sector you can't easily slot into it out of the usual application rounds if in an area with popular schools.

[NeoTrad]

There is so very much more to choosing a school than the state versus private dimension.

Some private schools are party schools/holiday clubs. They are not all super academic by a long shot. State schools are increasingly "no frills". If properly managed, this might not matter too much, providing you live in a community where "frills" are easily accessible (for cash) and there is a high take up in your school's community - your DC will not enjoy being the only child in his class doing extracurricular music/sport/dance/MFL.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

My DS goes to a prep especially so he doesn't have to go to an outstanding primary.

I work in the state sector, I see how much the focus has to be on maths, reading as a tick box activity and the technicalities of writing to secure 'outstanding' results in a 9-3pm day- especially if there is not universal support from the homes. Yes, the academic education in a state school can keep up with, if not surpass, independent- but at what cost?

My DS goes to a deliciously laid back country prep school. No SATs, no hoops to jump, no pressure. Amazing drama and sport opportunities for all. Oozing with enrichment activities within the school day. Commitment to the majority of 'prep' being done in school time so they don't take much work home. Long playtimes, more holiday. It's really a childhood.

[wickerlampshade]

Not at all. reasons might include smaller class size, better sports facilities, near-automatic transfer at 11 without having to do the 11+. My kids are at private primary though they had an offer from an outstanding state.

[TalkinPeece]

smaller class sizes
have been proven to not result in better outcomes in many countries

[bojorojo]

I also think smaller class sizes is overhyped. I guess a laid back prep
will not prep much for CE. That exam definitely is not laid back.

If a prep school is any good there will be lots of activities, music, sport, art, drama, clubs and an engaging curriculum with specialist teachers. Some state schools have lots of similar things but usually no swimming pool, sports pitches, dedicated art room, drama productions or music practice rooms or specialist teachers. If a prep has nothing extra, apart from small clsss sizes, I wouldn't pay. If it has everything you could possibly want and top notch child destinations, then I would pay.

[GetAHaircutCarl]

talkin those countries have very different cohorts, teaching methods and curriculum.

You can't cherry pick.

If we are going to continue with ever larger class sizes - and it looks like we will have to, given population growth of school age children, the teacher shortage and the cuts, then we have to start offering a very different type of state education.

This may well be doable. But not as things currently stand with schools being expected to straddle two stools.

[youarenotkiddingme]

Another who says ignore the ofsted report and look at both schools with a view of finding which one feels best for your DD.

There is no reason you couldn't change if whatever decision you make doesn't feel right after a period of time.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I guess a laid back prep
will not prep much for CE. That exam definitely is not laid back.

The Public school (loosely associated with his Prep) that DS will move on to sets it's own entrance. Whilst this does involve academic tests, offers are also based on personality and watching the applicants in team building type activities and interacting socially. So no, no need for years of CE stress either. I know this because DH is on SLT.

The school still sends plenty of kids to Oxbridge and for medicine etc so maybe exam factory stress is not actually a necessary ingredient of education?? Don't get me wrong, I want DS to learn to work hard and he already has a great work ethic. But I'm more than happy for him to avoid the testing and targets neuroticism widespread in the current system.