Does anyone REALLY send their children to private school?

[Mosschops30]

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The defining thing about the independent sector is, well, that the schools are independent and can therefore, subject to a few constraints, decide for themselves what sort of scholarships to offer, if any. The schools themselves vary so much it's impossible to generalise, but I think very few prep or junior schools would offer any sort of scholarship provision to the youngest children.
For example, Eton, as well as being a school - duh - also happens to be one of the UK's biggest landowners, with a rental income to match. It offers academic scholarships, which could if necessary, I imagine, be topped up with a bursary (ie. a means tested sum of money unconnected to the scholarship, which would be awarded for academic promise).
Schools obviously vary in how academic/musical/sporty they are; their scholarships are awarded accordingly. So, a few years down the line your little Freddie is a real bright spark but can't play football to save his life. Would prefer to pore over his Latin textbooks, or do a spot of extra geometry; the academic creme de la creme for him would be a scholarship at Winchester, St. Paul's, Westminster etc. A scholarship from a school considerably further down the league tables (hate that term) would, in the academic hierarchy, be "easier" to get, but could be just right for your family. And of course there are awards for art, music, sport, good all rounders, etc.

BUT, if your kid doesn't show any kind of talent, yet you still don't want to send them to the grotty state down the road (all those Oliver Twist type children! Ugggh!) then what do you do? Burn your house down and get the insurance pay out?

Not read thread bar first post.

Neither me or DH went to private schools. Infact I went to a pretty dodgy state comp. I, until recently, was a secondary school teacher in state schools. DH is a solicitor. We have a decent, but not massive income. We have plentyof other outgoings. We only have one child, and it is staying that way.

We put DD's name down at two local prep schools when she was 1yo. We did change our mind for a while, but those plans/priorities have changed now. DD is now 3y6m and we have confirmed that we are going to take her to an assessment interview next month for one of these schools. If she gets through that then she will be going private.

For us, we can afford it luckily (as have one child only) and the other aspects it includes are good for us - price includes after school care, all food and drinks, musuc, ballet, etc.

Seems like there's lots of teachers from the state sector who are sending their kids to independent schools. Me too if all goes to plan. Wondered what kind of response you get from colleagues. I think mine will be horrified.

Probably will send ds to G, but want to know our options - esp if it doesn't work.

Rhiann - I know of several teachers (when I was teaching) who sent their children to private school. No one batted an eye lid at all.

I do find this fascinating - can't stay away!

On the subject of the choices made by teachers themselves - I do find it comforting that the teachers I know in RL send their children to state school. The three teachers I know best send their children to the school that my DSs attend. It certainly would bother me if none of them was prepared to send their children to that school.

Another thing that occurred to me this week, in the light of the public sector pensions decision, is that if you are a public sector worker, you at least don't have to put away a sizeable slug of your earnings each month into a pension scheme. That perhaps explains why teachers, on comparatively low salaries, nevertheless find enough spare cash for private schools?

mosschops - because on another thread you asked me when i went - iwent 81-86 (i think) left to do my a levels some in newcastle. Did you board?
BTW sister bridget liked me because i was good at geography and maths (did them at a level) plus geography BSc - but i was a bit of a swot from memory. Was sister andrea still their when you went - because i know she was not their when I went to reunion

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Dino, I'm not quite sure what practical difference the decision will make. When I was f/t, I paid £180pm but this included some AVCs. Also, I think now that teachers are no longer able to participate in a final salary scheme it will mean they'll have to save more towards their pensions.

However, I'm one of those teachers who doesn't think a salary of 30k is that low considering the holidays we get!

Dinoscareus - As I only work PT (similar pay scale to teaching, although in prison ed now) my salary alone would not cover it. DH is lucky enough to have a larger salary which will cover it.

There are many state schools that would be prepared to send my child to BTW. But private offers us other benefits and less hassle right now.

mosschops can't remember pe teachers name but she had blonde hair and married a fireman (we had to go to her wedding and hold up rounders bats and she was quite weighty then. I went to newcastle college but it was college of arts and technology then was fab - had a wild time!. Sister carmel not familiar but we had sister aiden, bridget and andrea were the only teaching nuns and sister raphael occasionally. DI you live in ALnwick?

Just read early posts but thought I'd add my experience. Parents both teachers (one in comprehensive, one in Independent school). Db and I went to private secondary schools because the local schools were so rubbish. We couldn't afford all the extras that some of the really wealthy children could but we certainly didn't get bullied - if you pick your school you should be able to find a nice private school (if that is what you want) without feeling singled out because your kids can't afford to have skiiing holidays or whatever.

For ds, I just want the best schooling he can have. We have one failing primary school near us which I wouldn't be prepared to send him too. We are 0.5miles from an excellent primary school but still not within the catchment area and we can't afford a house any closer (they suddenly shoot up to around £800,000-£900,000 to get you into the catchment area - so much for people believing in state education. Depends if you can pay the house prices!). We will therefore reluctantly either have to move with all the costs that that entails (and where do you find a reasonable primary in London anyway) or send ds to a private primary. Not what we want (although I would happily send him to a private secondary school given my and db's happy experiences) but not much choice.

Thanks homemama and hula. I thought that teachers could still participate in the final salary scheme - thought it was just that anyone entering the profession now will have to teach until they're 65, rather than 60? But I am no pensions expert so I may have got that wrong.

Geranium, several posters on this thread, including me, send their children to a London primary school.

Dino, it's still done via superannuation (sp?) It's just that we're all paying into a money purchase scheme. By we, I mean teachers who have been teaching less than 11yrs (I think) I just missed it anyway.
This is, of course, much cheaper for the government. It's why I've chosen to pay AVCs to top things up. I'm hoping it means I won't end up in prison because I can't afford to pay my council tax in 40yrs time!

Oh, okay. Now I understand.

God, pensions. Horrible things. I pay loads into mine and I'm sure I'll still end up a pauper.

I find it hard to believe that you can take home £29,000pa and send two kids private. But there you go.

Dd2 goes to a private pre-prep (nursery) which costs about 900 a term for three sessions (8.45-2.30), 12 week terms.

She will go on to a state primary like dd2. If we send them to private secondary school it will cost (at todays rates) £22-£24,000 a year (for both). That isn't including uniform, extra clubs etc. We'll have three there actually (unless we do what dh suggests and send the duffers private and the brainiacs to state ) so that will be £36,000 pa. I will have to get a full time, excellently paid job (its Dorset remember) to pay for it.

Btw, 95% of the mums at the pre prep are rich and dont work. The mums at the state primary are much nicer

Enid, I agree, no way could we afford it on my salary! Luckily, DH brings home the bacon!

Dino, I completely understand your point of view. I agree it's pointless sending your child private for the sake of it. Personally, I would never overlook an excellent state school with class sizes just so I could pay for one. Unfortunately, we haven't got that choice.

I had between 29 and 32 in my state secondary. It never seemed that much of a big deal.

I think it really depends where the school is and what it's like.
We will be back in South Manchester then which is very expensive and very trendy with beautiful houses but the schools are awful.

If we were staying here then perhaps Surrey would offer something better.

Rhubarb, i think your sarcastic Oliver Twist comment was a little uncalled for, rather like a comment a few years back about what the blazers are made of!!!

I can see where Rhubarb is coming from, though. I'm sure this doesn't apply to anyone on mumsnet, but certainly amongst the (very wealthy) people with whom I work, there is a definite element of not wanting their children to mix with the common people's children!

yes deffo. They are quite clear about that down here. Someone I know said, well its not really about the education, its about who you have to mix with at the school gates.

homemama - primary or secondary? didsbury as some really good primary schools

Well, i must be lucky at dd's School as i've yet to meet a stuck up Bitch. (though one or two look like they could be).
I do hear alot of the reverse snobbery comments though.
Even from family and freinds.