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Secondary education

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Original poster

Independent schools v state

53 replies

purplerainbows88 · 19/07/2023 16:34

Hi all,
I am new here so forgive me if I breach any protocols!

I am starting to think about secondary schools for my DD who will be going into year 5 in September. I was state education and my DH went to independent schools throughout. He's anti independent! and I am undecided. I didn't have a great state school experience but I want to make the right choices for our DD. She's bright and artistic and very motivated so I wonder if we should be nurturing that in a smaller school with small class sizes OR saving our cash on the basis that she can thrive in most environments as long as she has nice friends and strong pastoral care.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
ShanghaiDiva · 19/07/2023 17:21

My dd is at an independent and I work as an invigilator/exam scribe in a state school. Ime so much time at the state school seems to be spent on behavioural issues which must be frustrating for both teachers and students. There seem to be a great variety of activities, clubs, sporting opportunities in both schools. The biggest difference is the state school has 20% of students with additional educational needs and the resources are just not there to give the support required.

Original poster
purplerainbows88 · 19/07/2023 17:10

Ah thanks - will do a search for this topic. Didn't think of that!

You are right that the choice needs to be right for my DD - not simply based on principle. I am sure many private schools would be "perfect" in meeting all my daughters needs - but it was more of a broader question about whether there is something inherently different about a private school in terms of pastoral care/quality of teaching etc. Do schools like St. Paul's really offer something that's unique that a state school could not offer? I imagine that the main difference is being amongst students who are equally academic which may be a plus for a brighter student. I genuinely don't know.

OP posts:
Foxesandsquirrels · 19/07/2023 16:50

Aside from the endless threads on this already, you need to look at the school, not it's funding status. If you have money, you have choice. Look at state options and private. Choose based on your daughter's needs. Not sending your child private because you're 'against it', even if the school would be perfect for them and you have the money, is so stupid and something I'll never understand.