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!

Assuming people have the money, which most people don't, those of us who scramble the money together want to know they are getting something for it, and what REALLY doesn't impress is surface gloss - new paint etc - so much as personable, qualified, energetic TEACHERS. Get them out front in your presentations.

Why do you want more money/donations? Why should I give it to you? Slebs don't impress me, I fear. Tell me how you'll spend the money on actual academicals, not electronic whiteboards. Extra teachers? Extra hours?

Get a few Oxbridge graduates in their 20s and early 30s to speak about what the school ACTUALLY DID for them. Get some current pupils to talk about aspirations. Shut the Head up. Most rich donors are also smart and they have seen all of it before.

We looked round private for our eldest, the fees weren't necessarily inhibiting but it was a lot to take out of our household budget each month. The class sizes and facilities were amazing, however, we were turned against it because of the hours. Most of the schools we looked at were 8.30 - 5.00 from year 3, that's the same as I do at work and I don't do an hour's sport every day.
Furthermore, they were all a drive away. We sent our children to the local state school where we walk every day with friends and everyone is very happy. However, ask me again when they apply for university and it may be a different matter!

Nothing

I seem to have posted that before ..this is an old old thread

We already go private and one of the big things for me was the fact they can go from reception 18 so there is a real community feel. The older children help out with the younger ones at breakfast and after school clubs and it really does engender a feeling of belonging and community.

I'm considering taking my 4yr old out of state school and into private. The things that would convince me are:
smaller classes,
nicer classmates,
great facilities & school setting,
opportunities available to her that are not available in state schools,
being taught in a more creative way rather than how to pass exams,
a private school that offered more than a really good state school.

Be careful rac321 we've spent 8 years in the indi sector and things are not always what they seem. My children have spent 6 years at one of Englands top boarding prep schools and we are just about to emerge battered amd bruised both financially and emotionally. The older one has gone onto a excellent local comp and has never been happier or done better and the younger one leaves this year at 13 to go onto probably the most academically selective boys school we keep our fingers crossed that it will be better this time. DONT be fooled by great facilities nicer classmates opportunities etc this is a smoke screen. These schools will promise everything after all they want you money (and its a lot) but as many parents in the indi sector will tell you what you see and are promised is not what you get. I personally think the days of many of these schools are coming to an end afterall how many people have a spare £30 000 (thats each child at a boarding school) to spend every year on school fees especially when many state schools are doing an excellent job.

Thanks happygardening. The school we are considering is a half boarding/half day pupils one. We would move to the area and send them as day pupils. It is really expensive and we have 2 younger children, so it would be a real hit. My daughter is happy at state school but the classes are really large and there are a lot of boistrous children. Would you mind me asking which school you went to, or if you would prefer not to say, just an indication of the area.

I have looked at Private schools, although my kids are State.
The school that impressed us most had a very clearly defined ethos, and didn't hide from proclaiming it enthusiastically even if it put some parents off (actually the same has impressed me about some state schools).

Other things I have liked: class size, facilities, friendliness of staff, staff who on open days can talk to my kids and my kids like (my son quite liked one girls school because of the teachers), pastoral/spiritual side (I liked a Catholic school's Chapel and Chaplain). I have also been impressed by one school which doesn't charge extra for TA help, the car park of one (they had actually thought about the safety of pick up and drop off), and the library and librarian.

Things that have put me off: pretending that strategies copied from the State system are new, shocking low Oxbridge from selective schools (if you are selective I expect much better than the local State school), selecting at 4 and giving the impression they will be continuing to 18 then be the Oxbridge candidates, just being academic.

Scaremongering would put me off.

The more opportunities on offer the better. The more they can take away the stress of parenthood the better, eg. ballet lessons in school, prep clubs. Information on how they handle things if things go wrong, the idea of partnership. Those kinds of things are also attractive. Any unique opportunities should also be flagged (eg. marching in the Lord Mayor's parade in London).

Hope this helps a bit.

The prep school where my younger son still goes is in the south east and then assuming he passes their entrance test in three week goes onto Winchester College. We spent many hours carefully considering this it is an outstanding school and we believe it is the best option for him. The older son goes to a very good comp in Witshire; yes we do live in a very nice middle class market town, as an ex. resident of Peckham I am aware of how lucky we are. My advise and interestingly I have found the advise of many parents in our prep schools is dont dismiss the state schools. Ask youself why do I feel that I need to pay for education? What do I think my child will get from indi education that he wont get in the state sector? Yes living in an inner city may be a good reason and I know that if you child doesn't fit the box and in the state sector its a much bigger box that in the indi sector then this may also be good reason. The "not fitting the box" can be for a number of reasons; my younger son is exceptionally academic and due to the way he has been educated at prep school three years ahead of his contemporaries in the state sector I couldn't see state ed. working for him. But as I've said dont do it just for facilities, nice kids and it doesn't guarentee better teachers / teaching.

mummytime makes some very good points.
FWIW, I agree that private schools should push the boat out too in terms of taking the stress out of parenting - with homework clubs, extra (free) teaching help where required, after-school clubs that run until 6pm at least twice a week if not 5 days a week, highly defined extension learning if non-selective. The calling card for me would be a very professional website where I can see the teachers' qualifications and what subject/level they are teaching at, and an indication that, yes, in a selective secondary school a high proportion are getting into Oxbridge or equivalent (St Andrews/Edinburgh/Exeter etc), and not just to study theology!

Our prep school is fantastic. There is

• small classes of 15
• wrap around care - open from 7.30am to 6.30pm
• holiday playschemes
• free clubs (such as Magic Maths, Handwriting, Reading) run at 8am and 8.30am before school starts to cater for those who are behind
• professional websites which shows details of all the statutory bodies the school is registered with, also has staff qualifications noted
• school directory which has details of both children and parents (perfect for arranging play dates outside school and even business networking)
• from Y3, children start school at 8.30 to 4pm but can stay until 6pm for free so that they can attend loads of extra Science and Maths workshops that are always on
• the school has an off site modern purpose built enviromental centre
• loads of extra activities on site such as ballet, modern dance, judo, basketball and music instrument lessons such as piano, violin etc
• 2 x PE plus Games lesson every week from age 3

and loads more!

OliPolly where is your prep? Care to mention names?

The single thing that might help sway us towards indie school is a guarantee that a sibling will get in.

We are choosing an indie for secondary because our local schools do not have a 6th form.

Mammy T , I will pm you

I'm a lone parent, I'm fortunate to be able to afford the fees but I work really long hours and travel a lot. For me the most important thing is that my kids are really happy to go to school, they have lots of opportunity to do stuff there that they couldnt do otherwise as I am not around to ferry them about and the teaching is first class.

I can go to work knowing my kids are in a safe environment and the are really HAPPY at school.

Financially its a bit of a struggle, especially when their dad doesnt cough up his half of the fees, but worth every penny.

We have had to switch our twins from a well regarded state school to a private school simply because for years they had being taught nothing, zilch, were bored out of their brackets and one of them was being bullied. I blame the lazy, self-serving teachers and the complacent head teacher who warbled on about the "high academic standards" at her school, achieved only because the pupils had parents who could afford to hire private tutors for them. Some of those children were seeing tutors four times a week (at a cost of £40 an hour). We could not afford this and have had to switch to a good school, which has given us means-tested bursaries.

I am an ex-teacher and was educated at a private school.My parents sweated to get me there and I am pleasedthey did.I only wish I had appreciated it more then because now I know how lucky I was. They chose it not just for academic but also the good allround ed . I have worked round the world and my ed shines through.Everyone likes me though I must say I think some of the things I learned eg self-discipline and manners do not matter now. We are in a money-orientated society now (though look at the Beckams so not quite) You pay for the environment and smaller classes and the opportunity to meet people who hold similar values You need to be aware that smaller schools(any left?) may have a more limited curriculum and there can be lots of hidden extras to pay.State schools cater very well for the "average " ability so weaker or more able may benefit more from a private ed. Choose one that reflects your own values in life.

'Everyone likes me...'

Really?

Can I turn the question around and ask, "What would convince you to choose the state sector?"

My older son has just finished at his boarding prep and gone onto our good local comp we are delighted with it and so is he. But I wont send my younger son he has an IQ 0f 154 and is three to four years ahead of his contemporaries in the state sector and there is no proper provision for his needs. He already has maths and english GCSE and in some subject is working at AS level. Statisically he is one of only 400 so in a school of 1200 there will only be two others like him. If the state sector really catered for him then I would consider it but I've asked and they dont and can I realistically I expect them too?

He will certainly not be the brightest at Winchester with an IQ of 154 so you are making the right decision on that front but I do wonder why you bother paying all these fees when he is capable and has already sat GCSE's. You'd be better sending him to an independent day school and save even more money.

No really good independent day school where I live and having boarded since 7 he likes it. I'm not doing it for results lets face he could probably achieve the same from our good local comp and probably Oxbridge entry etc. In fact if quotas are imposed on Oxbridge entry he's more likely to get in from a state school. Its not all the activities either the money I could save by sending him to a state school would enable my to fund all those activities and more. Or the wrap around childcare I woudn't need to work if he went to the comp. Believe it or not I dont actually care about those I things am looking for a stimulating environment with other like minded boys and a fast moving pace in all lessons to prevent boredom and the inevitable misbehaviour that in my experience arises from it. And also that undefinable something that Winchester gives to its boys.

Hocaspontus - yes, everyone likes me because I am so polished and nice People clamouring to get to know me! I have evidence to prove it actually. I never imagined this would happen in my life but this is what happened. I did not realise the favour my parents had done for me HOWVER, it is true I have to turn people away and it is not easy. A GOOD EDUCATION is priceless. Helps you all round in your life -not just academic though I did well academically as well . If you require evidence of what I have writtenI will provide it . I have people brought here so they can meet me as they think I am middle class and want better!

OliPolly - your school sounds fab.