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.

BTW wasn't implying educated parents are better - just pointing out that round here, they appreciate and trust in the state system to provide a good education for their children. Dds' grammar (I know, it's a grammar) does better than the local private school at GCSE and A level.

I would say don't be overly impressed with facilities. Yes they are of significance but ultimately it's the quality of the teaching that is the most important thing and that depends on individual teachers. Remember that private schools can have teachers that aren't that brilliant.

which is why looking at destinations of leavers - where they go on to is key (in both sectors actually).

Someone wrote near the beginning "independent school advocates should look at the state options before they judge."

I was very very keen on state education and argued a great deal with my husband about it when our children were born. When they were starting school (admittedly some years ago) it was not possible to visit our two local state schools. Both told me when I telephoned that the head was far to busy to show people around, and that they supposed I could come an have a look at the nursery school (to which I wasn't applying) once my child actually had a place. They were dismissive and rude and that (along with fact that one was in special measures and one teetering there) sent me racing to the arms of my local independent schools as like other posters here I have no appetite for religious hypocrisy.

I really hope that either things have changed, or my experience was an isolated one.

Anyway, back to the OP - don't be blinded by facilities, although they are lovely to have. How are they used? Can you talk to some of the teachers on open day? Do you like the head? Do the children seem happy? As Xenia says, where do they go when they leave? Do you feel comfortable there? All good questions to ask. And go to visit more than once - try a small visit and an open day if it's on offer as you'll see the school in different ways, and it's hard to judge from just one visit.

I can see the English channel.

and clouds.

is that an offensive view?

i suppose it might be if you are French, and believe I can see La Manche.

Edgar, it sounds troublingly privileged... All I can see is a curtain that needs mending. Surely that's homely?

Back to our subject - yeah, carpets. They never ad carrrpets in mah day... That said, prvate schools often have lots of architecture. The question is, are the teachers any good? Is there a good fit between your children and their ethos?