What would convince you to send your children to private school?

[MistyFied]

Ok, I'm applying for a new job and it's in a private school. The main objectives are to recruit new pupils (from age 0 in nursery to 18 in 6th form) and to increase donations from alumni and parents alike.
I know some people would never ever go private and that's fine but what I would like to know is are there anythings private schools could, or should do, that might make some of you consider it for your children?
Thanks for your help!

Do you think? I wasn't sure if they were a bit 'out of time'?

I agree with the website thing. Some of them have so little information on them, eg don't tell you what the fees are, almost as if to say that if you need to ask to help decide whether this is do-able then you clearly can't afford it. Also advertise the option to pay fees monthly by direct debit (DS's school does this)

Some mums at DS's prep school (he's on a substantial bursary - 80% discount!) were chatting about a secondary school they like, so out of curiosity I checked out the website. Somehow there seemed to be very little about the ethos and school life generally - lots about curriculum specifics, results and famous ex-pupils. Very little on the school day/ routine etc - I would have thought this was important as it eats into family life in the case of the school I'm referring to - lessons Monday-Saturday and sports matches on Sundays - the whole family has to be on board.

If you can recruit into the nursery/preschool by doing it at the same price as your local competition, you may get more children staying on throughout the school.

A gun against my head.

I would not ever send dd to a private school. Not if I won the lottery on Friday.

I would not want to raise a child who lived in a rarefied bubble, alongside other privileged kids. I would also not want a child to be academically hothoused (in this I do realise that a lot of private schools are not academic in the least).

Mind you I live somewhere with a high proportion of private school children, and I don't particularly like the way those children behave.

Sorry, that reply referred to Habbibu's comment!

If you are going to sell this school I would not be looking at what private schools in general do, but what this particular private school has to offer. (on the assumption that you don't get to revamp the whole school/buy acres of land/recruit famous musicians).

What are its strengths? Is it very academic? (and what are the schools like on that score). Does it have a strong pastoral record? Are there outstanding sports facilities?

No point in trying to sell something that private schools in general do better if it is not a strong point in this particular school.

I dislike the ethos of a private education, because it's not fair.

The thing that is making me consider private school for ds1 is, apart from the fact we'd qualify for a scholarship, otherwise it would be totally out of the question, the fact that at his current school he is struggling with one boy who has some major social issues, and ds feels the brunt of it.

The school doesn't provide adult help for this boy so it's down to ds to calm him down, keep him happy etc which is really impacting on ds.

this is the only reason I'm considering it.

small class sizes and ability to teach off national curriculum and give an all around education

alumni - not always celebs - tapping in to thos who have done well and ask them to help fund places for those less able to afford. The job now is to attract the brightest not just the richest.

The funding issue is a big one and private shcools are doing lots to maintain charity status so being able to offer places to those who cannot afford is really important plus offering use of facilities to wider community and also offering specialist teachers to others schools eg DD school has large mandarin bias and they run Mandarin classes for any local children who wish to pitch up after school.

Or, what motherinferiror said

Also assemblies which kick off with a rousing chorus of the Red Flag, obviously.

I'm still googling what Mother Inferior said! Ha!
Right, will check back a bit later but thanks so much to you all for your comments which have been really helpful. I'll crack on with my presentation now and I'd appreciate you all keeping your fingers crossed for me on Friday!

Nothing - if it's like the nearest one to my dc's schools ;). Again it's down to attitude of the parents etc. Very few live in the area yet feel it's fine to come in and ride roughshod over the local community.

Lol motherinferior.

Small classes and very high academic standards are the only reason I sent my DC to independent schools.
We'd only donate money as parents if it was for scholarship funds for very able students who would not otherwise be able to attend.

Need to stress the differences with the competition, which will of course include other independent schools in the area as well as state.

Is yours very academic? If so push that, if not go for the 'friendly & inclusive' line.

Small class sizes is always a big seller, out of school care and holiday clubs were great for me, but obviously that depends if you offer it, remember lots of people can only afford private schooling because both parents work.

The big difference at our prep was all the 'proper' sport they offered when our state primary just had the kids throw a ball around occasionally, most parents love the idea of their kids playing proper sport in all the right kit (cue photos of cute litlle kids in cricket whites...)

Bursaries are great but don't really help if your remit is to bring in the cash.....

For us (and ds is at a 2 1/2-18 school) it was that there was care/supervision from 8-6 and holiday clubs through every holiday with a variety of activities.

At reception age, school is the same price as using a childminder to drop off and pick up, plus he can do whichever clubs he wants.

The website was important to us when browsing, as was being able to see all the uniform lists, fees etc. But the best thing was the open days where we could go round with ds, talk to the teachers, see how they were with him in a relaxed way. They are v open with things laid on for the children to do.

Neither of us was educated privately, and we don't know anyone else who sends their children btw

Well, there are just a couple on there who I think are quite cool, but that is a personal bias, and not one I'm recommending for your interview. I know that similar schools to that one have changed status from private - do you know if that's likely for this one?

Another subject close to my heart.

We went to the open day of a private school at the weekend. DD is quite bright and her class teacher has said that if she works hard she would pass the entrance exam.

BUT, the main issue is cost. At nearly £10K a year it isn't going to happen unless we win the lottery. She isn't scholarship material, so the best we could hope for is a bursary to help with the fees. Also the leftie in me struggles with the idea of sending her to private school.

We are lucky that our local state high school is a good performer, but what worries me more than anything else is the stories of bullying I hear and how it isn't dealt with very well there. DD has so little self confidence and is not resilient at all. The children at the private school had bags of self confidence. Also the parents that I saw there weren't horsey, designer dressed nose up in the air types, but normal parents like the ones I see at DD's primary school.

DD likes the idea of going to an all girl's school, but I'm not sure how she will be able to interact with boys when she is a teenager if she has so little contact with them.

So in answer to your question, the main point for me would be the pastoral care and how they build up the children's confidence. Also how they deal with bullying. The academic results go without saying of course.

I think any school needs to make sure it checks its Wikipedia page regularly too - people do use it as a source of information, whether that can be relied upon or not.

persuade the parents to put their cash and concern for their children back into the state sector and we might have a hope in hell of narrowing the gap between the privileged and the poor, which is at the heart of what's wrong with this country. I have a good friend from america who has married an englishman but is seriously considering bringing up her children in switzerland because she cannot believe how we live in two tribes who never meet except at primary school...

glad I'm not the only one here whose initial reaction to the thread title was 'absolutely fucking NOTHING would convince me'

They will probably have thought of the website thing.

You need to get them when the children are young with wrap around care for two parents working. Like others have said at that stage the cost is the same as childcare. When they get to reception age friendships will have formed. The parents will be reuluctant to take them out and will break their backs to keep them in for life. I know of one family that have given up their home and moved in with their parents to keep it going. They are all bloody miserable though. Are you sure you want that job ?

I am a potential private parent.

As well as exam results, information on next school at 11, University destinations including Oxbridge and what subjects they are going to study (gives some idea of the school's strengths).

Information on the teachers and some insight into the lessons in the younger year groups is helpful.For older year groups the extra GCSE/A level options available such as extra languages.

At younger ages the smaller class sizes and nurturing individual attention is what I would be looking for and in the older ages the education opportunities including what the children go on when they leave school.

Information on the specific opportunity that may not be available in the state school. Sport,art,science showcasing the facilities and visitors to the school and pupil's work in a newsletter.Something such as a piece of art work or poem written by a child at the school if you have a child who has potential makes you think of the potential of the education available.
All parents want to know whether the school is a 'fit' for their child so the more information with lots of photos with children helps.

Increasing donations depends on the sense of belonging so perhaps a old ....'s for ex pupils at which they have the opportunity to meet up at the school a couple of times a year and regular newsletter on the school's achievement.
Present parents I would feel respond best to a specific need fundraising for a specific project which may benefit their child.

I'd look at as many private school websites as you can and send off for their prospectus as a potential parent which often includes other things such as newsletters.

I'm still thinking myself.It is a big commitment bearing in mind the present financial climate and the fact I want to pay my children's university tuition fees for them as I left without debt when I attended university.

Good luck with your job application.

Ok, can I just ask posters who have come on here and would never in a million years send their child to private school that I completely respect their opinions but I have asked for help in preparing for a job interview on this thread because my public sector job is about to go and I need to work or we lose our home. I am looking for reasons that people do or don't send their children to private school that I can influence. Thanks to all of you for your help - it is much appreciated.