I'm thinking about this as clearly as I can.
My DC is in year 5. We have been going through the books since January. It's going well, I suppose, DC loves learning and achieving, we do lots of reward etc.
We are really lucky in that we are church goers, and the church schools. around here are actually very good. If you compare the progress and even actual results of the top set at these non-selective schools, they are about the same as at the privates and selective states.
I know things can get a little more stressy from here, I am quite an anxious person and don't trust myself not to leak that all over my DC. My Dc is also quite active with sports and music so buckling down will take time away from that. And this Sept we would start walking around and visitings schools. The privates with all their frills will look GREAT (also because they are!) DC will love them, and bang, the stakes suddenly get higher. DC will really want to go, the pressure might sink in then for all of us.
Should we even bother given our options? I don't particularly trust the government's education approach, but states might actually get a boost if Labour get in!
I also have three other children and it would have to be scholarships to put them all through indies!!
Wondering whether we should step off now?