To send my child to private school until a non-faith state school can take him?

[Waspie]

Three facts about me ? I?m an atheist, I?m a socialist and I have a 4 year old pfb

On principle I?m against private schools and voluntary aided church state schools. And there is my problem. We didn?t get any of the four preferred schools we selected (our catchment school and three nearest by walking distance). Instead my son has been allocated a CofE VA school. Not only is it a faith school but it has the worst KS2 results in the borough, its Ofsted is the worst I?ve ever read and it?s miles away.

The private prep is a ten minute walk away, has class sizes of less than 15, has glowing Ofsted and ISI reports from last year, doesn?t select academically (just first come first served) and every child achieved level 5 SATS in Maths and English at Yr6 last year.

Obviously we?re on all the waiting lists and will appeal to the two of the four which aren?t ICS appeals (catchment school included).

We can?t really afford private school by the way; we?ll be funding it by selling my car, ebaying anything that might be worth more than 10p, cashing in the ISA and re-mortgaging. I appreciate though that we are lucky to even have prep as an option.

So, am I being unreasonable to consider private prep school for my pfb while we are on the waiting lists?

I haven't read the whole thread so I don't know if someone else has already asked you whether you know the local prep school actually has places for September? Hate to be negative but any I've known of offer places for reception in the autumn term and have far more applicants than places with long waiting lists.

When does your pfb turn 5? Do you know that you can keep him at pre-school/nursery until the term that he turns 5?

MrJasc - excellent analogy, thank you for sharing

I'm off to collect me son from his private nursery now.

Good evening and thanks for your help everyone.

I think its ok to want your son to go to a nice school that is near you honest its not a crime I dont think they eat pizza in private school If you can afford it comfortabley send him he will be taught about jesus though you would need to home school to avoid it i think , Its not melodramatic well maybe a little I do think parents to whats the best for their children and if they feel a private education is the best thing then why not , see if you would qualify for a bursary if they have them and just send him ,

"me son" should be "my son" d'oh.

Most private schools are not-for-profit, so I don't think you can find comfort in that. Also are the 6 bursaries the typical number in the whole school in any one academic year? Or 6 children in every academic year (unlikely)?

I think you are just going to have to face up to the realisation that you are not a socialist.