which would you choose?

[DizzyHoneyBee]

We have two options for education from age 9.

A. private school with a bursary/scholarship where all fees will be paid but everybody else will be better off than you as we're a very low income household.

B. the local state school, which is not as good academically as A but is good for a state school but we have looked round and really liked it. A few friends will go there.

C. another local state school, a bit worse academically than option B, has a bit of a reputation for bullying, according to the head she is about to retire. Most of her friends will go there. My eldest went there and it used to be the school to go to and did really well but is the sort who would do well pretty much anywhere, as is DC#2. We looked round and weren't impressed, neither was my eldest DC who said that Option B looked much better.

Option A means a ten mile bus journey and not going with any friends.

Option B is a 15 minute walk away and few friends will go there. She isn't bothered about going to the same school as friends as they all live close by anyway. Some people perceive option B to be the "working class" school (I can't say I am bothered either way to be honest, we liked it when we looked round)

Option C is a 10 minute walk away and is very conveniently located within sight of where I work and is by far the easiest to get. Some people perceive this school to be the one for the "middle classes".

We've pretty much ruled out option C so that leaves A and B. Which would you go for?

Only you can choose - taking into account things like journey time. But I don't think you should be put off the private option by thinking you'll be the 'poor ones'. Presumably you already have some experience of the private school in order to know you've got a bursary/scholarship and like it. Just check and consider that the bursary/scholarship is secure and take into account whether there are any extras that could surprise you. Then choose the one you all really like. Don't choose one you don't like!

For me, it would depend how much my DC liked the private school - and how much I liked it too.

If the answer to both is 'a lot' and not just because its a 'bit better' than option B, academically, then its worth choosing.

Otherwise, I'd go for B without a shadow of a doubt - wonder if I pick that up from your post?? Sounds like you had a good gut feeling!

I would go for A if your child is happy and LIKES the school. I'm sure she has done very well to gain a bursary and seems like too good an opportunity to pass up.

Also, you do not know that she will be the poorest there - there may be others on scholarships or others who parents sacrifice lots to send their dc there. And who cares? She is going for her education first and foremost and as long as she never apologies or is made to feel 'lucky' interacting with rich kids she will do just fine. I think sometimes it is us as parents who feel there's an issue with poor vs rich when in fact the dc choose their friendships for completly different reasons and not how much money mum and dad have.

Also, if A doesn't work out for whatever reason, would it be possible to transfer her to the state school - that's more likely than sending her to the state school and then saying to the private one: "Does the scholarship still stand?" a couple of months down the line...

Option B is the their preferred option because it is local and to be honest it is mine because I was privately educated and hated it - but that isn't a reason to rule it out.

Hit send too soon, i mean me disliking private education personally isn't a reason to rule it out for DC.