Does anyone REALLY send their children to private school?

[Mosschops30]

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Sopabox sounds a bit like that song 'shuduppa your face' for some bizarre reason

We send our son to a small private school, we tried our local state school but he and they just couldn't cope.Now that he has been diagnosed with autism all his behaviour there now makes sense and I will never forgive myself for putting him through that . We found this school,which is a 20 mile round trip, and apart from a couple of problems, mainly when new staff start, has been the making of him. He is very bright and loves learning,he's actually made friends and has a better social life than us.It really has been the best thing we could have done. We have to pay for 20 hours for extra support as well as the fees. To afford this I work as many nights as I can get as bank staff and while he's at school I clean for other people. Don't ask how we'll manage when the baby is born though!

what does 'parp' mean?

It's what people do when they see a subject they know they always get far too aerated about and feel the urge to post something inflammatory! So they PARP instead.

Ks , you've bought into it. Make the most of it, not everyone who sends their children to private schools, even in Surrey, reads the bloody Telegraph. And if they do and if it's so important, don't do it.

I don't think yours is bad either Soapbox - and remember, I've had a few teen snogs in the main hall there from the days when it was the local BOYS grammar par excellence and I was at its counterpart for gurls
Yes it is Fairymum. I cannot believe how lucky we are to have such an unusual little school on our doorsteps and we feel so at home there - both of us happily and proudly state school educated and, like ks, under some rather snide duress from family members about our choices.
Aloha - I will CAT you. From what you have shared about your adorable ds it's the sort of school that would suit him very well indeed, but we are not that near you I suspect.

Thanks Marina - his paediatrician was saying that he was concerned about his ability to really thrive in mainstream big classes today Big mummy panic.

Aloha - there is a lovely school called Browns in Chelsfield which specialises in Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. We went there when MS schooling for DS was looking unlikely. It was so lovely

They have a good record at settling children into MS school once they have acquired the skills to do so in the early years. In fact quite a few children have been settled back into my DCs school at around 8YO from Browns.

It is probably a bit too far away for you to consider though?????

Browns lovely place. Very highly regarded.

Yes, a bit too far from us in SE London. Ds is certainly bright enough for any school IMO but it's his social immaturity etc that could possibly lead to problems. And school in general, as the pead says, is 'monolithic and not good for those children who don't quite fit'. He said that some parents with kids like ds found Steiner Schools good.

I sent that CAT but would be positively alarmed at the goings on at MN HQ if it reached you tonight

The Steiner in Greenwich is wonderful but currently waging war with the Council over losing its lease on its present, too small premises. But I would have thought there was Steiner provision pretty close to home for you.

Aloha

He always sounds such a dote - I hope you find the right place for him

My thoughts exactly Soapbox . I think where we are we must be quite fortunate with the type of independent education available, I'd not really looked at it that way before.

I still think you should give G a chance, aloha. I've seen them do well with kids with all sorts of different needs and I really think you might be pleasantly surprised. (Sorry- I know this is none of my business!)

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Agree the Steiner in greenwich is lovely.

Does anyone know if there is an organisation in place that helps mothers who want a good education for their children, but cannot afford to put them into a private school? I mean, there are lots of mums out there who live in sink areas and have little choice but to send their children to the under-achieving school. Surely there is an organisation to help the poorer families afford the same education as the richer ones?

Rhubarb-if you were to move anywhere near Liverpool and had a DD this school may be of interest. The Sutton Trust pays full fees/contributes towards fees for girls from lower income families post-11 years.

otherwise most private schools offer scholarships/bursaries. Also schools supported by a particular group e.g. Haberdashers have hardship funds so that kids can stay in the school if the family loses their income.

BTW-we are ordinary and have a DD in private school. Really mixed bag of people, yes there are the 4x4s brigade but these are a minority. At DD's school I would guess that most people are actually first generation private school users. Also a lot of parents have their own businesses e.g.builders, electricians rather than stereotypical barristers and accountants.

So what if your child is not exactly the brightest pick of the bunch, but you don't want to send them to the grotty state down the road?

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