State versus independent

[Debs682]

As the state schools were not great in this area (Hove, Sussex), we decided to put our children (now 9 & 3) through the private system, up to secondary school, 11/12 plus. We did intend to move to a good secondary school catchment area once my eldest neared 11. However, it transpires now that we are unable to move and therefore, need to look at state schools around here. First of all, has anyone any advice or experience in going from private to state run education, followed/following the path that we decided to take? Would just be nice to have some general chats etc, as I am concerned re the transition from private to state schooling in terms of adjustment for my son.

Oh and forgot to say,

dd loves it there, and is improving at a faster rate than she was at her VERY good junior school (she was top of the class in most subjects).

If you and your kids are happy with your choice that's great. Your point doesn't change the fact that most middle-class mums will go to great lengths to ensure their kids get into the best school she can afford (through mortgage rather than fees), etc etc

I went to Private school for all of my schooling, I did not feel the need to mix with people who I had nothing in common with. Now my son goes to local church school, and there are people from a different social mix to us, and ds does not mix with them, has never asked for them to come home for tea, even though he has been told he can invite anyone.

I was sick as a child of being told I was stuck up because I went to a private school, I would never have said they were common! But people find it easy to say private school children are arrogent etc, when there would be uproar if someone came on and said that all state educated people were common or thick. It just isn't the case, there are