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Secondary education

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Original poster

Private v grammar

32 replies

Maisie29 · 27/03/2017 11:22

We face an emotional dilemma! Our eldest son has been offered a place at a great grammar school which is far but has convenient transport link. He has now also been offered a full scholarship at a great selective private school too which is closet in distance but not so convenient a journey. But that's by the by as the more important issue we have is that we have 2 other children that would benefit from the sibling link to grammar school. We could pay for the other 2 to attend the same private school but seems pointless when they stand a chance to get into the grammar school. Money that could be put to something else. Is it worth letting our son go private in spite of the above hurdles?

OP posts:
user1489830224 · 27/03/2017 13:02

We have experience of both grammar and private at secondary. Grammar - cons - with current and future gov underfunding (esp sixth forms) we found that resources were scarce and classes getting larger. Many state schools will have to reduce the GCSE courses offered and cuts to music/arts in general. Less opportunity for extra curricular activities/parents being asked to pay large amounts cash/buildings in bad state. Pros - more ethnically diverse, generally good teaching and excellent results. Grammars are sometimes in large academy trusts which we didn't like, esp as those trusts are allowed to employ unqualified teachers. Independents, if they are good, will give generous scholarships to students with grammar school offers (will help their league tables) and then look very favourably on scholarships for younger siblings, esp as you say yours may be grammar school standard. Buildings/sport facilities/parent communication/resources all excellent. Lots of extra curricular and extra GCSEs/A levels offered. Teaching we have found to be generally excellent. Important issue for us was much smaller classes. My DD has 10 in her language classes. Full scholarships may also mean free meals and other benefits. Travel - this will become less of an issue if your son is happy at the school and as he gets older. Many indep schools run coach services. I suggest asking parents there what they think of the school and/or going back to have another look round or chat with the Admissions. If a family have different age children at the school it generally shows that the school is popular. This is my experience of state grammar versus independent. Don't be put off by others being negative about indeps. Best thing I ever did and I have never voted Tory!

Original poster
Maisie29 · 27/03/2017 12:59

Thank you all btw for your opinions which have been very helpful given the tumultuous time we're having in making a decision!!!! My son and I are going to visit both schools this week so who knows what his opinion will be by the end of it! Until then, keep them coming! Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Maisie29 · 27/03/2017 12:56

Oh so hard! I like them both! The heads seem down to earth and, they have great response pastorally. My son would've plumped for the private one before school choice preferences were known a few weeks ago. Mainly because out of the group of choices, it was the school that he knew about more but when he visited both, he liked them both too. Not easy.

OP posts:
Autumnsky · 27/03/2017 12:52

Well, I think you should compare the 2 schools and involve DS in the decision. The 2 schools are all great, that's really a good news, but there might be difference, which is better for your DS1?
Don't let the sibling link into the decision, your younger children will take the exam themselves.

AliMonkey · 27/03/2017 12:44

It sounds like private will be longer journey / more hassle journey, and presumably having children all at same school once all at secondary would be simpler for all? So I'd say unless the private offers something very specific that would really suit your DC, or the grammar has some specific bad points that wouldn't be good for your DC, then save your money, and send to grammar. And don't forget all the extra costs at the private school which presumably don't get covered by the scholarship (eg school trips costing £000s). But then personally I don't understand why people go private if their state schools are good ones and would only consider it (even though we could easily afford it) if all the state schools around us were ones you'd choose to avoid if possible. I just think good state schools give a better "all round" education (ie not just academic or sporting or whatever, but about life).

highinthesky · 27/03/2017 12:24

Grammar all the way. I may be slightly biased Blush - educated at a grammar myself and now a governor at the same.

How will your other DC benefit from the filial link if they don't score highly enough in the 11+ btw?

Popinpopout · 27/03/2017 12:21

Which school do you like more?