Independent education - help!

[crackegg]

Hi,

I've just started working for an organisation that works with independent schools and I'm really interested to know why parents choose an independent education over a state school? I know it is expensive, and many parents sacrifice to afford independent education, but are there lots of parents from the same professions? I appreciate this might seem a bit random! But I am state educated and have a good career as do my siblings (business owner, legal profession, medical profession), who were also state educated. I'm a regular watcher so I know there are a lot of threads on here about independent education. I'm hoping mumsnetters can improve my understanding of this world! Thanks in advance for any insights you can share :)

I imagine there are lots of different reasons. More wrap around care. Local state school underperforming. Better sport facilities. Maybe they went to private school themselves and enjoyed it.

Why not just read some of the 15 trillion independent education threads? All the answers you may want are there.

Thanks for the responses.
Edmontine, I have looked at them, but as you say there are a lot(!) and most seem to be about particular regions and schools. But they have had some interesting aspects I wouldn't have thought about.

There are a whole myriad of reasons, and one person's choice will be for a reason completely different to another's.

For us (private secondary, although both went to state primary - although we took DC2 out for Y6 as it had been such a waste of a year for DC1 with constant sats focus):

DC2 has mild SEN, which wasn't managed at all in state school, having small class sizes has meant they've needed no additional assistance. He'd have been eaten alive at the local comp.

DC1 is quite bright, but because she wasn't one of the school's 'performers' she was constantly overlooked to primary. She's just done her GCSEs and come out with all 9s and 8s, so I guess she's flourished.

There is only one state school near us (live rurally), and sadly it seems to be a race to mediocrity, very little expectation or aspiration for the children. The catchment is very 'naice', but each year more and more parents are opting out of sending their kids there and choosing private. I've seen some fantastic success stories of bright children who've gone onto top tier universities , but sadly I've also seen too many with incredible potential just not have that potential fulfilled.

However, I know there are many amazing state schools - I don't believe one is better than the other, and it must be considered that private schools only account for 8% of the population, so the vast majority of doctors, lawyers, accountants etc, will still have been state educated. Having a private education does not mean you automatically fall into a well-paid profession, just as having a state education does not mean you won't, ultimately each individual needs to put the work in to get the outcome they hope to achieve.

The State school we are in catchment for is really really bad, it’s that simple

The thing is - without a specific issue that you want to address, the question is too vague to be useful. One might as well ask “Why buy a coat from MaxMara when you can get one from Primark?” Although the answer becomes more complicated when the Primark store excludes anyone who doesn’t live in, let’s say Knightsbridge, while MaxMara is offering you a gift voucher equalling 100% of the price of a coat.

@EmmaStone thanks for giving me such a detailed view. The point that you make about 8% is a really good one!

@Edmontine, I have asked specifically about professions. The wider request is about understanding why people make the choice and therefore it's vague/open to interpretation by definition.

With regards to Professions as a snapshot the parents at my DCs school are
Lawyers
Accountants
Doctors,
senior managers,
Teachers
Property developers
Restaurant owners
Other business owners

In our case (private primary):

• Smaller class sizes/ higher teacher pupil ratio
• DC1 has mild SN, not enough to get an ECHP but enough to need some extra time and flexibility from school
• All the state primary schools near us have tiny catchment so state would have severely limited house choice
• Aiming for selective senior schools and private primary will do much more to prepare them for exams

Educated both our children from nursery through to 18 privately. If we are honest with ourselves it was mostly because we wanted our kids to mix with people like us - highly educated professionals. There is a social “polish” and opportunity to do various sports and activities and trips. And education not impacted by disruption from other pupils.

Are these "insights" for you to use in your job?

Thanks @Hoppinggreen @minipie @VanCleefArpels it's really helpful to understand your reasoning, which in many ways are similar but also some clear differences. Thanks for the honesty @VanCleefArpels, I know people get flayed for honest comments like that on here!

@SoupDragon, it's to help me understand people's reasoning and professions for my job. As stated in my OP!

My nephew went to private school because they actually couldn't get a place at any of the local state primaries.

Two hundred miles further north we find this difficult to wrap our heads round

For me the state primary school that we are in the catchment area of is poor. That then feeds to an average state school. We cant afford independant secondary education, so our plan is to send our son to a prep school which has 85% of its kids gain access to the local grammer schools. Thats our plan.

Theres also a load of perks of the prep school - they're taught French from age 3, every week they have a day in their own forest school for the duration that they're at the school, tennis lessons etc etc etc. Stuff you just wouldnt get at the primary he'd end up going to.

I've just started working for an organisation that works with independent schools and I'm really interested to know why parents choose an independent education over a state school?

No, your opening sentence does not clearly indicate that this thread is research for your job. It was phrased as if you’ve merely had your personal curiosity piqued …

it's to help me understand people's reasoning and professions for my job. As stated in my OP!

There is nothing at all clear about your motives.

@merryhouse @Letsallscreamatthesistene thanks for sharing. I've heard of a few people sending their child to primary prep with the aim of getting into the local grammar school.

@SoupDragon @Edmontine I do appreciate your comments. Wanting to understand things about an area in which I work, isn't a crime. Not even on mumsnet!

@crackegg I find this interesting as well - why some chose private over state school.
For us it was less about academic performance and more about our childs personality and the atmosphere of one particular school. Our child is quiet, gentle and a bit shy. She is academic but works best in calm environment without too much noise/ disruptions. We came across a Secondary that we felt was a perfect match for her. (A Quaker school, small classes, friendly, warm and lots of creative arts) As my own schooldays were difficult I really wanted my daughter to feel safe, enjoy her schooldays and learning and be able to be herself. We felt she would be more comfortable in this private school rather than the huge local comprehensive. Her school would not be everybodys cup of tea and many private schools would not be an option for us. (I think many tar all private schools with the same brush but thet are so very different)
I know we are lucky to be able to afford this (not without some sacrifice, we are not rich) It is clear to see that our daughter thrives and I wish more families had more choice. Massive comprehensives are not right for every child.

My SIL grew up in a poor and rough neighborhood. He went initially to state school where he was bullied mercilessly by other children and had difficulty focusing in school due to “low level” which wasn’t low at all disruptions.
When he was about 12 he discovered not all schools were like his, he went to that schools principle and begged to be allowed to join, this religious school was much better. Years later he earned a scholarship and attended a very special university.
Eventually becoming very wealthy, wealthy enough his children will unlikely ever “need” to work.
His desire was for his children to have a pleasant childhood.
He lives in zone1 near several council estates. The nearest state school average child would not be living the lifestyle of his two. He thought it wrong to subject them to such outright excess as his children access.

Is your new job as a journalist op?

Ive no idea why people are treating the OP as if shes asked the worst question in the world.

DC go to an independent school. Parents have a really wide range of jobs and choose the school as it was overall the right one for their child.

I work in state schools. Parents have a really wide range of jobs and choose the schools because overall they are the right ones for their children.

One thing you get in both; when parents are unhappy they'll invoke the "I'm paying your wages" attitude