Decision time - state grammar school or quasi-selective independent school

(the independent schools we have looked around for our son do nothing like as much for music )

If it was going to cost me 80 grand i would sent her to the grammar, free and spend a weeny proportion of the 80 grand on extra things out of school time.

Re extracurricular clubs that can change with staff changes.

The music department at my GS (me and DH!) put on 3 choirs, orchestra and training orchestra, jazz band, 2 recorder groups, music theory club, brass ensemble, wind ensemble and a german oom pah band.

I think as a GS teacher you would be mad to spend out all that money (if it is a struggle) on independent school fees. A grammar school education is equal and superior to a great deal of independent education in our locale. If my DS passed the 11 plus (highly highly unlikely) he would be there in a shot.

If I had the option to send DS to a grammar school I would in a heartbeat, but there aren't any. But then, I went to one, so I think they are bloody marvellous.

If you really think the behaviour in the private school is better (I seriously doubt that is true, they are probably better at hiding it) and you think your DD would be happier at private AND you can afford the fees, send her private and let someone else have that grammar place.

Their alternative might be the local sink school.

I agree with you Bloss. My attitude also comes from my experience as a teacher in state (incl grammar) and independent. I would say that that is quite a useful view - certainly I can cut through the trash stuff that schools say about themselves.

Prof - same here with rugby, no wonder they are never up for match tea.

Having been on the receiving end of two separate Ofsted inspections, I can honestly say that IMO any grading received reflects more than anthing how closely a setting follows current government guidelines. So I wouldn't pay much heed to an "Outstanding" or necessarily be put off my a mere "satisfactory".

Which school seems better suited to your dd? From what you've said, the independent one does - and isn't that, after all, what's most important?

Ria - My sons' independent school field their second teams against the local grammars' first teams - and still thrash them.

Quattro, Have you considered Cranbrook? state grammar, does weekly/term boarding, great sports, fantastic drama facilities and the dc's are very very niiicce iykwim.

So Ria are you basically saying that QC's perception of her particular grammar school is incorrect?

Ultimately there are 2 specific schools being compared here, and QC outlined the key differences between them in her OP. I suppose that she could have said school A and school B but difference 6 was always going to give the game away.

QC, I really do think that this is a question for local friends who know you and dd, and the school options, well. And even then, if they can identify which school is the best fit for you and it ends up being the independent they still won't be able to tell you whether it is worth £80k more than the other, because again it depends on what else you would do with that money.

I would be overjoyed if my dds got into a state grammar and saved us 80k

But for you I think it's a no brainer. Sport is the first issue. Then the ds issue - v hard to send her to a grammar and him private. Not to mention the logistics of your pick ups.

I don't think the all girls thing is an issue, I wennt to an all girls school until sixth form and I think it's advantageous to have some segregation at a time in your life when - ime - you are boy crazy. It won't put her at a competitive disadvantage she'll be with boys at uni and meet lots out of school anyway, plus she has a brother so won't think boys are an alien species (think girls with no brothers need a bit of exposure).

But on that subject. You could always send her to the private school with the option of moving her at sixth form. Places open up in grammar schools then or she could move to another private school, poss mixed. So this is not the end of the line decision wise. Good luck.

posters are happily extolling the sporting prowess of independant schools

I am attempting to counter the argument by saying for example that state schools CAN also enjoy varied sports.....

No but none of us knows to which of the state grammars she is referring specifically ladymuck

I think the few remaining state grammars to be PRETTY much in the same ball park...

Ria - there's more to life (and school) than a glowing OFSTED.

We looked at a number of indie schools for DS some while ago. They all had splendiferous ISIS reports. We quite liked one, hated another, and fell madly in love with the third. What matters is the actual school and how you feel your actual child would get on there. Your grammar school is obviously perfect for your children; QC's grammar may or may not be perfect for her daughter. It isn't necessarily a state vs private thing, though!

But I'm guessing that QC lives nowhere close to that school Ria, so there is no point in her comparing her local independent to it, is there ?

Single sex... aha. I spent 13 years at a girls' school and didn't like it (the girls were obsessed with who had spoken to a boy and so on). However, I do now think it was a huge bonus: there was never any remote question of us being pushed into 'girly' or 'soft' subjects (quite the reverse!), and I do think it's easier to focus on work or hockey or messing about (as I tended to do) without boys as an added distraction.

Personally, I detest sport in all its forms. However, a sporty child is a sporty child, and it would seem that your DD's needs would be better met at an independent school. But I admit that I am biased towards indie schools anyway!

Message withdrawn

sorry to rant on but

'The curriculum is focused on academic subjects which is appropriate to the needs of the school's very able students. There are numerous extra-curricular activities, for example, 'The England National Fell Running champions', as well as sports and a range of clubs. These include foreign exchange trips, theatre trips, cultural trips to Greece, Cuba and Rome, and field trips to Iceland. Effective links with the local education business partnership contribute well to enterprise education. Students make the most of everything the school has to offer and uptake of these opportunities is excellent. For example, 80, Year 9 students recently signed up for a lunchtime GCSE astronomy course'.

Who could want more for their child?

My children are very lucky - but I wonder Quattrocento - what it is you feel your independant school would improve on here?

gosh i am tired ...you get the gist

Quattrocento I feel someof the 'whispered' comments on here to be misleading

State grammar schools are not

have you looked round the schools - read the ofsteds? There are some ill conceived sweeping generalisations on this thread

My sons' state grammar school gets outstanding overall

¨superb school in every respect

'Personal development and well-being are outstanding. The curriculum and extensive extra-curricular activities enable students to develop into mature and confident young adults who show an excellent sense of responsibility. There is a strong sense of striving for excellence throughout the school which the boys respond to. They are rightly proud of their school. Their thorough enjoyment of school is seen in very high levels of attendance and almost non existent instances of unauthorised absence. Opportunities for students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are extensive. Behaviour is excellent, both in lessons and around the school. Students act responsibly and maturely. They are polite, show consideration for others and respect each other's rights. The curriculum ensures students are aware of diversity, and recent links with a school in Sri Lanka provide a broader perspective outside the United Kingdom. Healthy lifestyles are promoted, especially through the extensive sporting opportunities'

No need to whisper about this state school - check outthe sport