Private school or bigger house?

[joric]

Less AIBU more WWYD....

Will keep it short...

60/70k will put DD through private school and we would stay in our modest house
or
we could increase mortgage by same amount and buy a similar standard of house in better area with v good state school nearby.

WWYD?

But usual she has the option of oving to a more expensive, though no bigger house in the catchment of a good state school.

Would you not take that option?

Depends what was wrong with the bad school

do you know anyone at the private school?

I think private might be it just by a sliver.

I would see if I could do more tours of the schools, really think about which one you love and go for it, good state or private that is.

I wouldn't spend 70k on extra curricular activities, with a good education as an extra bonus

joric I am a big fat loud working class northerner so if I have something to say about my DC's education then I'll jolly well say at. And expect the school to listen and act.

That said, over the years I've had very little to complain about. I suspect this helps. If one emails once a year it's more likely to be taken seriously than the parent who emails once a week about somehting new each time.

But I really would have no hesitation in removing my child if I felt there was something fundementally wrong. I haven't got where I am today by wasting my brass.

we went for option 2, and 3 years later, we concluded it was a big mistake. We've ended up with the big mortgage and the school fees. Very annoying!

"mal what on earth makes you think all independently schooled children are divorced from the rest of the world?"

Too right.

They can always see what poor people look like from watching EastEnders.

Anyway, isn't that what most people send their children to private school for? Because the teachers aren't any better on the whole and the buildings aren't usually much nicer.

TBH - I find it infuriating hearing people talk about 'good' schools. My dd's school has brilliant teachers, a fantastic building, a dynamic head, good classroom management and is very well managed. But none of the middle-class parents round here will send their children there because the exam results reflect the fact that the majority of children come from deprived backgrounds.

joric if you are going to move, just make sure you time it right. We moved a year before DD was due to move up to secondary school because you have to be in your new property before the deadline for applications, so make sure you know when that is.

It can take time to find the right house, that you can afford, in the catchment area. It can take even longer to sell the house you're in now.

Good state school bigger house plus tutor £25 and hour 2 hours a week their problem solved

We live in diverse area - great affluence and big houses etc mixed with ordinary folk. The vast majority of wealthy people here can afford the house/car and school fees...the catchment school has not got a good reputation.
We can afford school fees only if we stay our current house.
We would not be able to afford school fees if we moved to another area or bought the bigger house.
(word, I know you've already understood this! :) )

I would choose education over housing every time, so whichever option gives the best educational opportunities.

Thanks faire, that's part of my worry!! :)

spud I know it chimes with your world view better that way...but the inconvenient truth is that many of us are not remotely terrified by poor people.

We come from the sink estates. Our extended families still live there.

What does your DD think? Have you talked to her about it?

Oh spud, you are lucky with your local state school and it's good buildings and facilities...believe me.

I think you really have t do your homework on the schools. We picked private school after visiting every school in the area, this included speaking to other parents.

You have to be prepared to pay the fees and all the add on's for the 12 years. I was asking about your area, as school is only part of theri development. Where would you be happier for her to grow up? will she be the only child in the immediate area attending the private school?

Btw there is a 4th option

Move to nice house in catchment area. Once DD is established in good local state school, move out of catchment area, into bigger house in current area.

Just a thought.

Bigger house without a doubt. Is it even worth discussing?

Trouble with that faire is the legal fees, stamp duty, moving costs all add up.

To make enough profit to cover doing it twice the first house would have to significanly increase in value no?

Also, bit of controversy here but it is easy to favour state schools over private if the one at the bottom of your road is a good one.
Whether a school is in a deprived area or not is not relevant.

Wouldn't cost 70k though

Private school without a shadow of a doubt. I'd live in a teeny tiny flat if that's what it took to pay for it.

Faire... :)....option 5... Sell current house, rent in catchment for a year or so, move back to current area and buy whopping great big house!!
( did I actually say that?!)

"but the inconvenient truth is that many of us are not remotely terrified by poor people".

No. You'd just prefer to have your children educated separately from them.

To the detriment of the vast majority of children from ordinary families in the UK.

Having bright children from ambitious and dynamic families in state schools - particularly non-selective schools - would improve the educational experience and attainment for the vast majority of children whose parents can't afford to go private. And the bright kids from supportive families would STILL do better than everyone else.

But that's life I suppose. Most bright children will do well in good state school. Even the brightest children. We know this because it already happens.

But people want an alpha education for their alpha child and bugger the happiness and education welfare of the rest.

And competition breeds competition. Everyone scrabbling over each other in an attempt to shove their child to the top of the pile.

Just don't complain about the poor educational standards in the rest of the country if your choices for your child are contributing to the overall problem.