To wonder if our children would be the ‘poor’ ones at private school

[Changethefloorthroughout]

DH and I have a good joint income of over £100,000 and I’m seriously considering private school for our children.

A worry for me is if they are surrounded by children from much wealthier backgrounds if they would feel ‘poor’. I’m just posting for thoughts from people who know a bit more about the independent system than me.

@gattey

poor kids 😆

Do you really think I deserve this?

Do you work in a private school, Pumper?

@gattey

well it was a joke but you're hard work!

In what way? You’ve badgered me all over this thread and now we’ve moved into personal attacks. Do you think I deserve that?

@Changethefloorthroughout

Do you work in a private school, Pumper?

No, not any more.

I love the idea that there are 'normal' families who send their kids to private school (save a few scholarship kids). Given you've got to have circa 30k after tax to afford it and the average UK salary before tax is £25,971 no one in that space is normal. They are all in the top 10% wealth bracket at least.

I must admit I’m also interested in how you have access to parents’ financial information.

[quote Pumperthepumper]@LoveGrooveDanceParty so what’s your answer to the question ‘will they be among the less wealthy?’[/quote]
My answer is: yes.

Where we differ, is that you think that is an insurmountable problem.

I, categorically, do not.

And as you have not been a parent in this situation, i.e. in the OP’s shoes, I’m afraid that detracts from your credibility on this thread.

Honestly, on an income of £115k I think having two kids in private school is a stretch. School fees increase faster than a lot of salaries, there are expensive uniforms, trips etc to consider. A private school residential might be in Paris, for example, rather than the local outdoor activity centre. It all adds up.

Unless your mortgage and other outgoings are tiny I'd reconsider.

It’s interesting that lots of people are saying £100k isn’t enough to send a child to private school. The nursery we used in the SE was £1k per month and we only earn £65k - local independent schools are about £10k per year which is less!

You have to work out your outgoings but you can probably afford the fees. Be prepared to be crippled by uniform, extra classes and trips though.

@Changethefloorthroughout

I must admit I’m also interested in how you have access to parents’ financial information.

Because I worked there. And because we used a lot of targeted marketing in our comms, so we knew our demographic.

@LoveGrooveDanceParty

Where we differ, is that you think that is an insurmountable problem.

And where you lose your credibility is your inability to read my posts because you’re so desperate to have a go.

Not once have DH or I been asked to divulge our incomes (or income brackets) to our kids’ schools.

In what way? You’ve badgered me all over this thread and now we’ve moved into personal attacks. Do you think I deserve that?

Literally in this way, honestly just read the room!

@gattey

In what way? You’ve badgered me all over this thread and now we’ve moved into personal attacks. Do you think I deserve that?

Literally in this way, honestly just read the room!

Do I deserve these personal attacks or not?

Yes, I know you worked there, but how did that give you access to parents’ financial information?

I have been teaching for some nineteen years, though admittedly in the state sector, but nonetheless I’m wondering how parents salaries were disclosed to every class teacher and why?

@LoveGrooveDanceParty

Not once have DH or I been asked to divulge our incomes (or income brackets) to our kids’ schools.

I can’t see this happening and so would be interested to know of the context in which Pumper found this information out.

Because I worked there. And because we used a lot of targeted marketing in our comms, so we knew our demographic.

That shouldn't give you access to confidential financial information though.

Is this thread a joke?? Try bringing a child up, as a single parent, on less than £10k a year.

Then you'll see what worrying about your children feeling "poor" is about.

Ffs!

Do I deserve these personal attacks or not?

We don't have the same definition of attack I'm afraid.

@gattey

Because I worked there. And because we used a lot of targeted marketing in our comms, so we knew our demographic.

That shouldn't give you access to confidential financial information though.

Do I deserve the personal attacks?

@Changethefloorthroughout

Yes, I know you worked there, but how did that give you access to parents’ financial information?

I have been teaching for some nineteen years, though admittedly in the state sector, but nonetheless I’m wondering how parents salaries were disclosed to every class teacher and why?

Deleted my post.

We don’t know individual salaries for every parent group.

But we did know the demographic - you can probably google this for your chosen school. We knew what the average salary was, we knew what trips we could take them on because the majority would be able to afford it, we knew what cars they were likely to chose, and which newspapers they read. It’s basic marketing.

I think you’re on the wrong thread, MrsLarry. I haven’t asked advice on how to bring children up on this income.