Private Schools vs state. Any help much appreicated

If the state school she would go to is a comprehensive then remember to compare the private school's results with the results of the high attainers at the comprehensive- comparing results overall will not tell you what you need to know.

I think you need to compare the schools results with the local state alternatives.Dd2 has also been in the state system but is moving to a private secondary school.She is on level 6 's ( allegedly)and was one of 3 awarded a scholarship ( out of 80 odd kids some from the prep school).She will be pushed by the school to do her very best regardless of her natural ability.The results are stunningly different between the state and private option here.Dd2 ( went to both state and private) has stated not all the kids are brilliant in her independent school but they work harder and are much more ambitious than the similar cohort in the state system.
If the results are not terribly different simply don't send her to the private option.

Would she be starting in September for Y7 - so secondary school?
Was the class she sat in on Y6 or Y7?
Are the pupils streamed for any/all subjects?
Is it a selective school - did she sit an entrance exam?
Private schools do not do SATs - what are the GCSE/A level results like?
Where do pupils go to university, and how many go?
My DS is at a fairly selective indy and they work him very hard.

I think this is perfectly possible. DS moved to the junior school of the most academic independent in our area (good GCSE & A level results in 'robust' subjects, some to Oxbridge every year) at the start of year 5 and it is fair to say learned nothing new in maths that year. He was at a good state primary before & doing very well especially at maths. The independent does not differentiate in lessons to the same degree. He had started French at his state primary in yr4 but the independent started it in yr5 and so it went on. We took the view it was a settling in year, he was making friends and doing lots more sport, music & IT. We remain convinced though the senior school will deliver a far more academic and all-round educational experience than our local state options.

You might need to give us a bit more info like the name of the school

Private isn't necessarily better or more academically rigorous.

Is it possible that her expectations were a little to high? If she was concerned that the work might have been too difficult for her, maybe the relief that she was able to fit in translated into a sense that the work was too easy.

If the school in question is selective entry in y7, then I would imagine the upper school will be quite different.

Its only a wonderful opportunity if its the right school for your child. Not all private schools are academic powerhouses some are aimed at more middle of the road children and some are simply not very good.

Private does not always equal excellent. I have both my DC in the private sector and I wouldn't pay for a school unless the all round package it offered was the best option for my DC.

I think she doesn't want to go.

Sounds as if the school's not a good fit for your dd, regardless of sector. Was there an entrance exam?

I've sent two of mine to private school in year 5 and 6 (then onto the senior part at year 7) and I am not bothering with my youngest - I found that the academic work was more challenging at the state primary. They did TONS of drama and music and sport at the private school - yes they gained confidence and really enjoyed themselves but actually gained very little in terms of academic knowledge. I know my dd3 will do excellently at state primary unitl year 7.

Perhaps you could say a little more about

why you chose to apply to this school

and

how she came to be offered the bursary.

Your OP rather makes it sound as if this all happened by chance - but surely you would have put a lot of thought into this decision and rejected any other possible schools?

What exactly is the "status" of the independent school. Is it well established, thriving, with a strong positive reputation? I've seen several instances (on MN particularly) of parents accepting surprising bursary offers, only to find that the school in question is struggling to stay open, or withdraws the bursary in the second year or simply does not live up to reasonable expectations.

You do need to have made rigorous comparisons with other schools. There's no reason to think you might not be offered a bursary at another school - is this one the best available?

Does the school have strong academic results with good university places?

If so, then clearly the standards there are ok - perhaps the taster day was aiming to be fun rather and not scare girls off?

If you're unsure, then you need to go back in and have another look around/talk to someone?

what was the acceptance date though? it has already passed near us?