I have just visited a Prep School and I am in shock...

[WerthersOriginal]

My DH and I went to state school. We have done ok and have good steady jobs with a modest income. We have 2 DCs aged 2 and 6. We have always been anti private schools, not sure why as we had never set foot in one. I was watching a thread last week about private schooling and a lot was said on there that made me question my views. DH and I agreed that perhaps, we ought to visit a couple for interests sake.

We have just done that and OMG....

This schools is great. The facilities are incredible. We toured the baby room (nursery), the Pre-Prep Dept (2.5 to 7yrs) and the Prep (7 to 11 yrs) and I was surprised that at the class sizes, the resources they have, the curriculum, the sporting, art and musical facilities. The school calender itself is something else.

Our local state school is absolutely fine but miles away from this school. Surely, having specialist subject teachers at Year 3 is an advantage!

We have 2 more to visit but we are hooked. I am ashamed to say that I knocked pvt schools without actually seeing what they have to offer.

OP - what did you think the colossal fees paid for? Cocaine for the teachers?

I am extremely unlikely to set foot in a private school partly because I will never be able to pay the fees unless I win the lottery. And as I never actually remember to buy a lottery ticket, that looks exceedingly unlikely. However, I can imagine that many private schools have wonderful facilities. I can certainly see that from the grounds, playing fields and buildings of the many famous private schools that surround my little corner of London.

I'd have to win a gigantic amount to actually persuade me to send my dc to private school - sorry if that upsets anyone, I know people are uncomfortable with the idea of being idealogically opposed to private schooling.

Now, now bibbity you know that fir some people private education is the cross they have to bear. Poor lambs.

I agree that you should look at both options before making a decision. We looked at a few private schools in the area but in the end found the State schools far better so we choose to save our money for the family but it does depend on the circumstances and where you live. The LEAs near us are really good and all the schools achieve good results. The two main private secondary schools get 100% in GCSEs and the main State schools get over 90% so there is not much difference really. If I lived in an area with worse schools I would generally move rather than go private but that is a personal choice.

I did reject one private school not because of 4x4s but because I used to walk past it every day to work and the language from the parents to their kids was really awful. Get out the Fxxing car and stuff like that. Did not go as far as the school gate. Big generalisation I know but hey ho. I am sure I would not have been the only one. The Head must have been appauled.

Bibbity, I quite understand anyone having an idealogical objection to private schools.

My dad and I used to fight regularly. I saw his point. He saw mine. Ultimately my children. He was a good sort and tried to bite his lip at sports day. He just hurummphed a bit

Of course they have better premises and resources - that's what you are paying for!!!!!

You wouldn't want the tax payer to pay for non-essentials at state school, would you?

I don't expect the tax payer to pay for my children's music or gymnastics lessons. So I pay for them. Just like a private school parent does!

"OP - what did you think the colossal fees paid for? Cocaine for the teachers?"

i have been persuading my sister to come and work at the local private school with wholly selfless objectives in mind i want her to play with me

that could be the selling point i need.

bibbity idealistic objections are perfectly fine with me. I will respect your conviction.

Just don't tell me a load of nonsense about all the girls having anorexia, or all the teachers being unqualified, or all the parents being afraid of the state sector.

"
Just don't tell me a load of nonsense about all the girls having anorexia, or all the teachers being unqualified, or all the parents being afraid of the state sector."

Just so long as you don't tell me a load of nonsense about all the children carrying knives, the teachers being illiterate and all the parents being tattooed and with pit bull on strings in the playground!

I'm not going to tell you anything about private schools Litchick - I hardly know a thing about them! Except that over 90% of children in this country don't attend one. That's about the extent of my knowledge. Oh and that they generally have better facilities and infrastructure. The teaching I cannot comment on.

god I wish anyone who expresses either view would just sod off.

I think you will find that my critisism of the state sector is that the provision is patchy.

It is the inconsistency which is my bugbear.

Heh heh .

I wish anyone who expresses any view would just sod off.

Views views views.

Yawn.

If I go out of my front gate and look left and down the hill, I get a wonderful view of Canary Wharf and The Gherkin, about 5 miles away, all lit up at night.

From my middle bedroom window I can see The London Eye.

Lovely views!

seeker - Isn't it unfair that your children have the benefit of music and gymnastic lessons that you can afford to pay for but that poor but gifted children cannot?

Sod off, Bibs

Mrs GG - yes. But both my children and the "poor but gifted children" of which you speak have the benefit of the excellent education provided by our local state primary school.

Oh, and I have a wonderful view of Kentish salt marshes.

My view is truncated by some offensive and brash rooves. Or roofs.

Oh goodness me another lovely view

I can see a cathedral. All lit up.
But rather busy focussing on poor old dds vomit bucket.

A very refreshing post. DS1 (2) has an interview for a pre-prep this week. I think the facilities are second to none but friends are less than supportive about it being selective at a young age. The competition for places is enormous.

I'm in Kent. Lots of people here send their children to pre-prep then prep to get their children into state grammar. I'm thrilled that dd's class (Y10 now) managed to get 70% into state grammar, though a couple ended up through parental choice at excellent private schools. Local prep had much weaker results. Ds's class was lower, but still over 50%. Their school is a state primary, and great. I'm a teacher, and a fussy one at that. Am thrilled with the level of teaching my 4 children receive. Parents on the whole are also from more professional backgrounds than fee paying schools round here - certainly more university educated parents plus the usual mix of trades. Of course, I realise how lucky we are to live where we live.

Crap post - 2 I'm thrilleds. Diet starts tomorrow therefore eating and drinking rubbish tonight!

There are good and bad in boths sectors. Mine moved to private after all starting off in state, and for the most part the private school has been better, but not in every respect. Certainly not in terms of facilities and space - our school is crap frankly. I've been blown away at how much better equipped and more spacious and plush most state schools are compared to ours, but the best equipped schools in the world are nothing without inspiring teaching and motivated, well supported pupils who treat each other and the teachers with respect. Our school has small class sizes and (in my experience at least) the pastoral care and discipline has been second to none. But it isn't perfect - I still moan about some things. Having said that, the fees are much cheaper than the other private schools in the area that are out of the town centre and have rolling lawns and grand halls, and amazing catering facilities, so you get what you pay for as far as facilities go.