Are you now considering private school?

[Effup]

That's it really - if you can afford it - and we can with some cuts. Are you considering private school?

Not switching but lots of parents near me are hiring private tutors and effectively setting up mini unofficial schools with groups of 4-5 children from the same year group, which is what we will likely join. Cheaper than private school for now. Insane that we are here though, whilst shops open.

No. My eldest is due to start at local state school in Sept but I am not confident school will be full time. I have booked daily subject tutors to come in from Sept as I am done trying to work and home school at the same time. This is very expensive but will probably only be until Christmas, so less expensive overall than private school. As long as the co-curricular activities are compromised by the distancing rules, I think you are missing out on a big chunk of what you are paying for with private.

Lots of new joiners to our prep are now not coming! Basically people are being put off by paying fees but not knowing what basis school will operate in September and the uncertainty on fees.

We moved back to UK just before shutdown and no local place for our DD in state but looking for indie in September. Was thinking there would be lots of vacancies but... not so much! Seems like there is a 'flight to quality' and local indies fully subscribed and waiting lists. We are in SW London (Twiickenham) so leafy suburb but apparently state provision is dire. We were originally thinking of sending DD to nearest state school (Waldegrave) but abandoned that idea when heard horror stories locally re lack of provision since Lockdown. So, yes, on all the local indie waiting lists!

My year 9 is already at an independent school and I am really thankful as they are following the normal school timetable to the extent they can. Dd has some friends at very good state schools and they are doing a good job but sending in work on a weekly basis for the students to do at any time - that lack of structure suits some kids but it would not work for my Dd.

Can't afford it right now but I'm starting to think about for some point in the future.

No.

I am concerned at the lack of funding (when schools are already struggling) if we have a huge recession.

Cheaper options we are using mix of (4 kids!)

• online school (myonlineschooling, Interhigh and Netschool are the ones I have seen - all around £2500 ish over the year for KS2. Teach y4- y13)
• tutors - we are using these for core subjects for DD y1
• outschool - for interesting topics like science /stem /arts
• Jolie Ronde for a small group french lessons

It costs but our jobs are in overdrive due to lockdown and we were hitting burn out trying to do all the teaching too

Finding tutors has been tough near me (SE). The ones I’ve tried are booked up already!
Will keep trying though as agree with some pp that might be a good compromise for now.

I am surprised at the number of people saying no because they can’t see the benefit (vs they can’t afford the fees). My two are at different private schools - my sisters have a mix of private and state. I am so grateful now we chose private. Mine have been following usual timetables and exams and tell me they are learning as much, if not more, than when they were physically at school. Sports has started up again in a limited way too - so in their games lessons they go off to sport. Early teen years here.

No. It clashes with my socialist principles. Plus our secondary school is outstanding and despite lots of parents sending their child to the local private grammar they all seem to leave it in 6th form and come to our state school. Why is that I wonder? Could it be their child doesn't have to mix with riff raff ( or BAME / socially deprived kids) in lower years but in 6 th form they have disappeared so it's ok! Makes my blood boil!

No, my children are happy in their local primary school. I was happy at my local primary, but bullied terribly at private school.

@YouSetTheTone
Remember that you don’t need a tutor in the SE. Via zoom they can be anywhere!
Since lockdown we’ve got tutors for French and Maths for my DD and we will look for science tutor(s) too if the situation hasn’t improved enough by September.
Prices vary hugely and is not, ime, necessarily an indication of the tutor’s ability - I had one quote of £74 per hour for a tutor! That’s expensive!

Absolutely not!

V glad I'm not paying for my children to not be in school! Friends who pay for independent education have always justified their sacrifices by pointing to the extra xhrricular/sport offers and how it means they don't have to the driving around etc. Now that just isn't in the equation.

My dc state provision has been really faultless. Amazing levels of contact and feedback and individual tailored provision for the children. Not live online sessions, which I'm really glad about, but really good use of a mix of resources.

I'm paying additionally for some online tutoring in things like music but this is v cheap compared to what fees would be.

I disagree with private schools in many mnay ways. Nothing about the current situation persuades me otherwise.

DD was moving to an independent sixth form with a music scholarship anyway and I’m really glad now. I feel as a year 11 she has been abandoned by her outstanding state school which is a great shame as they had been great.

No. It clashes with my socialist principles. Plus our secondary school is outstanding
Oh the irony! Easy to have principles when you have an outstanding school available

My DC are at private school - both are in year groups which have gone back as normal and I am SO pleased as friends with DC at local state schools have a mixture of zero opening, part time places and full time but shorter hours/ in a different classroom/ different teacher.
Their organisation has been excellent, I imagine that as an indie they were able to be more flexible.
Their online offering has been great (and continues for those who have chosen to keep their DC away) and we have a reduction in fees and a fee freeze for next year. They are also offering a holiday club for the summer holidays, staying in their bubbles as long as a minimum number commit to it.
I think, at this time anyway, having to think like a business works in their favour.

One question though - a friend of mine was wondering whether she could admit her son to a private school but keep her son's state place open until they re open (he is currently at a school which is refusing to open at all). I would imagine the private school would be against someone joining just for a term or two at most but would they automatically lose the state place?

I don't think you can keep a state school place open no - there are kids on waiting lists.

There seems to be a high BAME mix at our local school albeit less black - our primary we are in is outstanding as well as our secondary - it's outstanding too. I do a lot of running around on activities. In reality I'm wondering what I'm gaining. @NeverTwerkNaked we've discussed online on a thread before and this was my initial thoughts really to do this - or to put things in place on an interim basis at least.

I really am re-considering!

One question though - a friend of mine was wondering whether she could admit her son to a private school but keep her son's state place open until they re open (he is currently at a school which is refusing to open at all). I would imagine the private school would be against someone joining just for a term or two at most but would they automatically lose the state place?

I've wondered this too. My DD is year 10 and yet her school are not taking students back. So called Outstanding school. I have been disappointed with the school in the past, but they have been useless during this period. Work has been set via Google classroom, granted, but DD has not had one piece of feedback or marking. I am really cross with them.
In reality, I can't move her just for year 11 half way through GCSEs, but I am so tempted!

We can afford it and I would never even consider it.

Nope. The provision at my kids state secondary has been phenomenal, can’t fault it

No, I could afford private but it isn’t something I want. A few people in my apartment block use public schools, the provision through covid has been very poor for them.

My son has a range of daily live lessons, prerecorded lessons, activity packs, weekly phone calls. There is more than enough to keep all children entertained and learning. One neighbours public school simply provided a twinkle membership!

Secondary schools- possibly. Primary? No way, complete waste of money

@blametheparents v good point! Thank you!

at that quote.. I’ll have to roll up my sleeves if that’s what I get quoted!