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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Only a private school is good enough for my darling baby girl

117 replies

Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 22:06

I can’t afford private school, I never thought I would think like this, but here I am fantasising about giving up my career in academia for a teaching gig at Jags or similar so that my precious baby can have the best.

I think it might be my area (Brixton) but the local schools have no greenery, are overcrowded and hectic, and when I’ve visited I’ve just not had a great feeling about them. The area itself is under a flight path, it’s so polluted and urgh I wish I lived in a giant house in a leafy suburb, sent my darling children to independent school and got whisked away to the maldives during half term.

OP posts:
GoodOldTrayBake · 20/04/2025 23:57

Gustavo77 · 20/04/2025 22:57

This has to be a wind up, not a very good one, but a wind up nonetheless

Quite clearly the OP is being lighthearted. I’m enjoying it even if you’re not!

MumChp · 20/04/2025 23:49

ClawsandEffect · 20/04/2025 23:28

Teaching overseas in a prestigious private school. As long as it does IGCSEs and either A Levels (there are international A Levels) or International Baccalaureate she'll be eligible for UK uni. Teachers are usually offered free places for their children as part of the package.

Many applicants though.

MsCactus · 20/04/2025 23:44

Why not move out to the suburbs? Much bigger houses, better schools, loads of greenery. Cheaper than Brixton

OOlivePenderghast · 20/04/2025 23:42

I was literally just fantasising about this. I was on the local private schools’ websites seeing if there’s any way I could afford it. I don’t think my 2 day a week job in academia will cut it though 😂

The facilities just look so nice and they have forest school, sports facilities and mfl teaching in nursery.

Ghosttofu99 · 20/04/2025 23:38

I’ve been to visit relatives in Brixton a number of times in recent years, it’s mostly a very nice area. It’s gone through a lot of gentrification. Love the coffee, love the parks, just a nice vibe. Kid friendly, neighbourly. I’ve not specifically looked into the schools but there are plenty of playing fields, cricket pitches, and tennis courts around.

I say this is a tongue in cheek thread or you are very unreasonable.

OakleyAnnie · 20/04/2025 23:34

Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 23:19

Yes. I’ve been looking at these. And Judith Kerr school/ Dulwich hamlet/ dulwich wood. I’m not sure we fit into the catchment area and all are oversubscribed, but I think we will put some down on the list

Show quote history

Might be worth it if lots of the locals choose the independent schools

RealHousewifeOfHull · 20/04/2025 23:30

There are some good indies in Hull and East Yorkshire.

ClawsandEffect · 20/04/2025 23:28

Teaching overseas in a prestigious private school. As long as it does IGCSEs and either A Levels (there are international A Levels) or International Baccalaureate she'll be eligible for UK uni. Teachers are usually offered free places for their children as part of the package.

Original poster
Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 23:19

OakleyAnnie · 20/04/2025 23:08

The charter schools in Dulwich are good. Or used to be at least. I’ve moved away now.

Yes. I’ve been looking at these. And Judith Kerr school/ Dulwich hamlet/ dulwich wood. I’m not sure we fit into the catchment area and all are oversubscribed, but I think we will put some down on the list

OP posts:
4forksache · 20/04/2025 23:14

Why stop at first class, even if the nanny is in economy! Surely any decent fantasy should include a private plane with a very handsome pilot at the very least. There are lots of optional add ons that you could consider too!

Original poster
Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 23:13

Gustavo77 · 20/04/2025 22:57

This has to be a wind up, not a very good one, but a wind up nonetheless

It honestly isn’t. Maybe a bit tongue in cheek but I’m genuinely saddened by the options, I look at the huge forest school they’ve got and find myself wishing for a far more boujie lifestyle than my life choices have allowed.

Im guessing you have nanny back in economy, don’t worry they have much more of a sense of community back there.

OP posts:
Zone2NorthLondon · 20/04/2025 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

In fairness, JAG parents don’t excel at much. maybe this is as good as it gets

OakleyAnnie · 20/04/2025 23:08

The charter schools in Dulwich are good. Or used to be at least. I’ve moved away now.

Istgisforreal · 20/04/2025 23:07

Gustavo77 · 20/04/2025 22:57

This has to be a wind up, not a very good one, but a wind up nonetheless

You don't say.......

Hollyhedge · 20/04/2025 23:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

FernwoodRydal · 20/04/2025 23:05

Surely if you can afford Brixton you can afford huge swathes of suburbia, or somewhere further out on a trainline. You're hardly trapped there - not financially anyway. East Grinstead has good schools I believe?

Zone2NorthLondon · 20/04/2025 23:03

JAGS? Good god it’s a fee paying comprehensive for those too poor,and too illiterate to go to a proper school north of the river

MumChp · 20/04/2025 23:00

Gustavo77 · 20/04/2025 22:57

This has to be a wind up, not a very good one, but a wind up nonetheless

Most likely yes.

Gustavo77 · 20/04/2025 22:57

This has to be a wind up, not a very good one, but a wind up nonetheless

Hwi · 20/04/2025 22:50

You can try the cheapest private day school in the UK - the Glasgow Academy, but you will have to move I suppose?

MumChp · 20/04/2025 22:38

Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 22:35

I genuinely spent a considerable amount of time yesterday fantasising about the London house - only to decide I’m not convinced on the area and it’s overlooked by the train tracks. So we would have to sell it. Maybe we take the furniture before selling it. I stopped before I started looking at schools near the shard.

Show quote history

What do you do IRL to support your daughter's education or is it just day dreaming?

Original poster
Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 22:35

90swithcigarettesandalcohol · 20/04/2025 22:09

Get a subscription to Omaze HTH

I genuinely spent a considerable amount of time yesterday fantasising about the London house - only to decide I’m not convinced on the area and it’s overlooked by the train tracks. So we would have to sell it. Maybe we take the furniture before selling it. I stopped before I started looking at schools near the shard.

OP posts:
RawBloomers · 20/04/2025 22:32

When I lived in the area, Jags had a reputation for suicide and anorexia.

AprilBunny · 20/04/2025 22:24

Dellspoem · 20/04/2025 22:20

Possibility if DH is up for it

Show quote history

Throuples are all the rage, you can make it work. Stick the one who gives you the ick in economy with the nanny and your DBG (darling baby girl).

Mothersdayscroll · 20/04/2025 22:21

Quit your job, open up an only fans page 👍