Please help me choose a school

[Kerry987]

My son has a place at a an independent school for year 7 which we confirmed. He is hard working and likes art and enjoy extra curricular activities and sports which this school can offer; He would like to go to this school. We can afford the fees but can always find some other ways to use the money, e.g. Retirement, investment, holidays.

However, he has just been offered a place at a new state school; it is in its second year; still in temp building but moving to new building next year. Sports and outdoor facilities won't be ready until 2021. Main building wil be ready though. People in the school seem very happy apart from the fact that there is not much in terms of sports at the moment.

He is coming from a state school.

I really don't know what to do anymore. I think he would have more opportunities in the independent school but because both husband and I are state educated and have worked hard to get to were we are I am a bit conflicted about it.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Mannix]

Personally, I would (and did) choose a really good state school over independent school. But in your case, the school is so new that you can’t really get a feel for how good it is. And the facilities not being ready until 2021 is off-putting, as your son is sporty.

So, based on the information you’ve given, I’d go for the private school.

[steppemum]

I am a fan of state education, and would never go independent just for the sake of it, (my kids are in agrammar school) but in your case I would stick with the independent school.

No sports /outdoor. New school, with no way of seeing their results/assessing how they are doing. I am guessing that there are no older kids in the school (fill up from year 7?) which I think is an issue as older kids give something to look up to (in a good school)

all those question marks v good established school with lots of opportunities.

[Kerry987]

Thank you very much. Those are my concerns too. I would definitely choose a grammar or good comprenhensive if we have the choice; but the lack of outdoor space for 3 years put me off a bit too so I think we will stick with the Independent.

[BubblesBuddy]

Stick with the independent. He can always go state for 6th form. DH and I were state educated. Grammar schools. We are not wedded to them! Ours boarded so we went out of our comfort zone. It’s no big deal and no-one says you must follow your parents anywhere!

[Kerry987]

Thank you. It is good to have other people opinions.

[Leeds2]

I would stick with the independent too.

[SuitedandBooted]

No proper sports facilities until 2021! (and presumably no guarantee what they will be like/if funding won't be diverted elsewhere). Also, isn't it difficult for parents to assess the general standards and teaching if there are currently only 2 year groups?

I would definitely go for the Independent. Your son like it, and you know what you are getting. It's not a lifetime commitment - you can change if you want to.

I went to an excellent comprehensive school, - but I send my children to an Independent, as there is no comparison between it, and the standards and facilities in our local comp. Yes, I'm buying privilege, yes, it's unfair. But ultimately, nothing in life is completely equal for all. We work bloody hard for our money, and it gives us choices. We live quite simply, but chose to spend a lot on our children's education. Our money, our choice. I used to be conflicted too, but I'm over it now!

[Dontblameitontheboogie]

Stick with the independent. I’d be very wary of a new state school that’s “supposed” to move to permanent facilities in 2021. That’s 3 years away, so your DC would presumably start on a temporary site. I wouldn’t be too confident of it moving to the spanking new facilities on time either - the new school near us that started 3 years ago (and was supposed to move to a permanent site after one year) is still on the temporary site, only that’s now full and so next year’s Year 7s will be sent to yet another temporary site...

No way were we sending our DC there. We’ve gone private instead.

[FogCutter]

I'd stick with the tried and tested independent.

[MaisyPops]

In your situation, stick with the independent school. You know what you're getting there.

[Kerry987]

Thank you.

I will decline the place at the state school so they can offer it to someone else.

Will stick with the independen; I think DS will be happy there.