Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Independent secondary school - grotty and not up to date. AIBU?

30 replies

IndiQ · 02/10/2022 10:01

Forgive me - from a totally state background and willing to make some sacrifices to send DC to whichever school we think suits best.

Went to an open day at an £18k/year day school recently.

The results are great and the head's speech had us very impressed.

But on touring the school we were all disappointed.

Everywhere smelled fusty and seemed old and grubby.

This was a school in a busy city and is old. But so are the local state schools.

Were we wrong to be disappointed that this is part of why we're judging it to be a big no? I'd be expecting some of the fees to keep the place clean and nicely decorated and labs and other practical subjects up to date?

We really love another independent school with similar fees which is very much as I'd hope.

But then I worry maybe I've been taken in by it's looks - although kids happy and results also great.

I know MN has a lot of private school parents. What are your expectations of the school buildings and classrooms?

OP posts:
Snugglemonkey · 02/10/2022 10:55

My DC is in a private school. The lovely facilities is one of the reasons we are happy to pay for it. We get brochures with the school accounts, it details work done in the last period and future plans for maintenance and development. Do they have something similar where you can see if you are happy with what will be happening?

I would not be happy paying for poor facilities.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 02/10/2022 10:46

Check out the school on the charity commission page register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search

you will see how much they have coming in and how much going out. Very good way to see how financially healthy a school is

MuddlerInLaw · 02/10/2022 10:36

The main benefit of paying* is that you get to choose where to apply. We visited a handful of schools and chose the one we fell in love with - a combination of locality, welcoming staff, perfect infrastructure, light streaming into rooms, space, altogether a clear indication that being there would be fun and challenging and horizon stretching. On top of everything we already knew about academic record, ethos and reputation.

In short, if that particular school doesn’t make your heart sing, forget it. Do visit as many relevant places as you can, though - the comparisons can be revelatory.

*Or being in a position where a large bursary is likely.

Fireflygal · 02/10/2022 10:29

Why not name the school to get opinions? My experience is well run schools manage capital budgets so school infrastructure is constantly updated, usually over long holidays. If nothing has been done in years I would question the financial stability.

grababag · 02/10/2022 10:21

£18k is relatively low compared to many independent schools, so perhaps they have been struggling to fill their places, and the buildings are neglected because they can't afford to upgrade them.

Many independent schools struggle financially and are in danger of closing. If you were a good teacher, who could work anywhere, would you want to work there? If not, it may tell you something about the quality of teaching you can expect.