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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for advice re private school dispute

260 replies

Cicchetti · 05/09/2026 12:12

My ex is a coercively controlling narcissist.

He is desperate for my child to attend a private secondary school and he expects me to pay half.

I have been crystal clear that I cannot and will not be doing this, and that I would prefer my child not attend private school in any case.

He will be taking our child to open days at private schools anyway, and he began a PR campaign against state school / for private school long ago.

I believe his aim is to ensure that our child will only be happy with a private school and will blame me if they attend a state school. He has also threatened to take me to court to force our child to attend private school.

I have said that I will attend any open days since this is my child and I want to understand what they are seeing and learning. I would also like to bring my husband, as my ex is horrible to deal with.

Welcoming any thoughts and advice!

For the voting to make sense:

YABU - Private school is great and you should definitely commit to this huge financial burden!

YANBU - You should not be forced to pay for private school if you don't agree with it.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 05/09/2026 12:24

I wouldn't attend the open days in your shoes, as it may lead your dc to thinking that you are seriously considering the idea.

As for taking you to court to force you to pay private school fees...bring it on! He will be laughed out of court.

The main thing here is for you to manage the relationship with your dc. Explain why you can't support the private school plan, whether that is for financial reasons or because you think your local school will be a better option or whatever. You don't have to engage with their father but you need to try to manage your dc's understanding of the situation.

Hankunamatata · 05/09/2026 12:23

Simple

Keep repeating to dd that you cannot nd will not be paying for private schooling.

BobMumBobIsMyDog · 05/09/2026 12:22

I wouldn't attend any open days and make it clear the answer is no. How does he think he can get a court to force you to commit to school fees? Tell him to crack on...

endofthelinefinally · 05/09/2026 12:21

I would worry that he would pay the fees for the first year, for example, then stop, leaving you with a difficult legal situation and a very limited chance of finding a decent state school with an available place. I know a mum to whom this happened. The ex was so fixated on punishing her, he didn't think or care about the impact on his child.

Cicchetti · 05/09/2026 12:21

smalltreethisyear · 05/09/2026 12:15

How on earth would taking you to court to force private school work?? No court can force you to spend money on this so presumably he would be happy paying 100%?

Is your daughter falling for the PR campaign?

Do you have solid state options?

Is your daughter falling for the PR campaign?

Maybe to some extent? It's hard to describe what he's like. He almost certainly talks to her about this constantly, all the time, and speaks of state school in very demeaning terms.

OP posts:
Cicchetti · 05/09/2026 12:20

I bought a house in catchment for an Ofsted Outstanding secondary. There is also a possible grammar school option, though obviously this is competitive.

What do people think about attending the open days? Should I go? Is it weird to bring my husband?

OP posts:
Cardhey · 05/09/2026 12:18

You shouldn’t even be going to the open days. Don’t entertain this whatsoever.

HalzTangz · 05/09/2026 12:17

If he wants her to attend tell him he needs to pay all the fees

Traveltart · 05/09/2026 12:16

Private is not always best. It depends on your area and your child. In our case, private was multiple times better than the local offering but that’s not just based on grades, it’s based on pastoral care and sports and music and art. I would only go down this route if you can afford it and the 20% VAT the govt has imposed.

Your ex cannot, however, make you pay for it so if you can’t afford it, you need to be clear now with your child or risk them being disappointed once they start comparing the private schools with the state ones at the open days.

smalltreethisyear · 05/09/2026 12:15

How on earth would taking you to court to force private school work?? No court can force you to spend money on this so presumably he would be happy paying 100%?

Is your daughter falling for the PR campaign?

Do you have solid state options?