To be clear here, my comment on her never setting foot inside a state school wasn't meant the way it was taken, simply that I meant she had always been privately educated, I was educated, as was my husband at state school. I should have written it better, so apologies if it offended anyone.
I am unsure this argument is about the benefit of state v private, both have their advantages and disadvatages and there is no right or wrong answer, it's a personal choice. I thought the discussion was about the fact the op could send her kids to private school, but was deliberately choosing not to and felt jealous of those that did and wanted to know if this was unreasonable.
Having grown up in a council house, I chose a different direction for my own child, and worked damned hard to do it, I am the main bread winner, my money, my child, my choice as hubby had no strong feelings either way. Plenty of my friends did the opposite and their kids went to state school. Do I feel my daighter got a better education, yes, I could see the differences in approach and support that is given to kids, because of the simple fact state schools usually have larger class sizes and less resources. Are they all better, nope, some private schools aren't so good, and some state schools are excellent.
Life is full of crap choices, we simply have to play the best hand we can with what we are dealt, or change the cards.