to ask how to deal with family criticism over sending our child to a private school?

Well no, because we have a much larger population, that is much less socially cohesive, a very different economy, a different society...

On the plus side, my daughter won't need to do National Service when she leaves school.

"you ve already made your opinion known to me"
I d recycle that phrase with a little variation ever time they bring it up, going forward, and just keep repeating. Because to keep on at you about is a micro aggression of sorts.

Ah OK fair enough. Maybe I'm just being touchy after having been personally accused of being jealous in this regard in the past, despite this being utter nonsense.

However I totally support everyone's right to educate their kids as they see fit without having to justify it to anyone else.

No absolutely, everyone has different reasons. That was my mum's reason at the time. It stemmed from her jealousy of her sister (has been a constant battle since they were born (they're identical twins). Then when she had the means and saw the benefits she then enrolled my younger brother.

I totally support the OP in sending her kids to be privately educated if that is her choice and I think her family's reaction is bang out of order.

However you are being very lazy with your argument that people are opposed to private education simply because they are "jealous". I am personally opposed to private education on idealogical grounds, as are quite a few of my wider friendship group. We could have afforded to send our kids to private schools but did not. Jealousy has absolutely nothing to do with it!

I had the opposite problem. My mother banged on for years about what a terrible parent I was for NOT sending my DD's to private schools. I am idealogically opposed to private education but no amount of repeating this to my mother ever made any difference. She even offered to pay the entire cost and was very offended when this was also turned down.

I should add my stance was well known to my mother as I had refused to go to the private secondary school she'd chosen for me when I was 11. I only got out of this by threatening to deliberately fail the entrance exam.

OP some people just do not want to listen. These are your children and this is your choice. In the end I had to tell my mother that if she continued to bring the subject up we would leave and potentially not return to her house. She tired of it eventually.

Not so much envy but the belief that all education should be good and equal and accessible, as in Finland, which is to the whole of society’s benefit. However, that’s not going to happen here any time soon.

You made a choice. They don't agree with it. That's their right. You ignore as presumably you think you made the right decision for your child.

DD was the first on my side to go to a girls’ private prep school (nobody on her father’s side experienced state school until they went to 6th form colleges).

Off-topic for OP’s question, but when she was 11 there was an outbreak of headlice, my mother said, “How can that happen at a school you’re paying for?”

Ah the politics of envy. I don't like it so nobody else can have it!

Then you are being really prejudiced against SEN kids when our state provision is shit for them. Even some EHCPs send kids to private schools on state money FFS.

Tell them to stfu there you go that bit of advice was free ya welcome

All you can do is say calmly. “I know you don’t agree with our choice but we have decided this for good reasons and we don’t want to discuss it any more. We’ll see how xxx gets on when they start next term” and then just stop engaging about it.

"Your opinions have been heard and considered" then id do what I like

This. I have so many smug friends about how they kids go to the state school - that they moved into expensive catchment for!
and then have money to buy every other advantage for their family!

Well they seem to want to fall out with you as they won’t stop after having been asked. Just say I’m not having this conversation. If they continue say ok, we’re done here and leave/put the phone down. Rinse and repeat until they get the message.

Massive government investment in schools, staffing and equipment usually, together with cogent, consistent policy.

I wasn’t being entirely serious. I think they should wind their necks in and keep out of OPs decisions. They are obviously entitled to their opinions but I don’t think it’s ok to criticise PP especially in front of the children.

What a nasty, prejudiced attitude. Dh and his siblings all went to boarding or private day school and are lovely people and very close to their parents.

They’ve got an amazing crowd of school friends they are still in contact with who are also kind, modest and generally great people.

You sound like you‘ve got sour grapes.

I don't think it will help to discuss the substance, that's just arguing.

They disagree on principle with private schools, that's an acceptable position to hold and the OP won't get anywhere trying to change their views. However, they need to agree to zip it for the sake of family harmony.

Point out that you taking your child out of state schooling frees up more money and resources for their kids so you’re doing them a favour really.

Other it’s none of their business.

Stupid prejudiced misconception.

My comment is based on what I've seen, I am in Australia which could possibly have been a qualification I could have added. I stand by be mindful. So sad.

What an extraordinary view of private schools! Positively Victorian, this idea that what education is for is to marry off girls.

And since you don't know what the OP's circumstances are, how on earth can you extrapolate to "she may not want to know you once she's got her education" (there is only one of her, so "them" doesn't apply)?

Also, I am fairly certain from personal experience and from observation that not all private schools are the same any more than all state schools are the same as each other. So it is daft and silly to generalise about them anyway.