Probably done before but private v's state primary ?

[HelloDolly]

I know we'll choose private secoundary but will our daughter be behind if we try the local state school first ?

I don't think so. i went to a state primary and a private secondary and wasn't behind at all. As long as you check the league tables and Ofsted reports for a primary school you should be fine. Most of it depends on the individual child rather than the school anyway

It depends on the schools.

If you are heading for a highly selective secondary school, with an stunning academic reputation, then you would probably need to consider tutoring in top juniors to get in.

But if you find a decent primary and choose a 'normal' private secondary, then she shouldn't need any help to catch up IMO.

LOL at "probably done before"

I was thinking normal, if possible !

I know someone who was going to pay for private primary to try and get a scholarship or at least reduced fees for private secondary. She worked out it would be much cheaper.

She lived in a low achieving school part of London so saw it as the only way out for her DS. I'm not in touch with her anymore so I don't know how it worked out.

The choice is quite complex once you start playing
the game.

Going private increases your options, but given the complex structure of when you have to apply, and very importantly what options you get after each school, it does require you to think quite hard.
We picked the pre-prep on the grounds that effectively DS1 had an option of staying on at the highly selective private school until 18. Problem with the transitions is that lots can go wrong, so even though there was a very good private primary nearer us, we grabbed it.
Some state schools crap all over some private and as roisin says, it depends...

Private schools have to market themselves, and around us it does rather appear that some do this as a kind of fashion statement. We sat in fascinated horror as the headmaster of one school told us that our kids would one day be "Old Chigwellians". Clearly that worked for some parents.

My advice is to keep an open mind and (if you can) ignore the money, and simply pick the best school.
Apply to the state system. As it happens the headmaster of our nearest state/CoE school is a dangerous shithead, so we could either move or go private.

LOLOL at the 'done before' bit! Some of us still have the scars!

Look at the schools and choose the one that suits your child best (assuming that money is not as issue). There are some excellent schools in both camps and poor schools in both camps

ABsolutely private every time. State schools are absolute rubbish - I blame the government. DS will start private school in 18 months time.

Wish I could afford to send my dds to private.
My elder dd is at the best primary in the borough, however I help out in class and I despair for the poor kids, so god only knows what the bad ones are like.
I have even considered educating at home but I worry about the social side and whether they would miss out.

As for secondary, I shudder to think of them going to one nearby, moving may have to be an option.

the other thing to watch out for is that entering a atraight through to 18 school/schools doesn't guaranteee a place at the next stage if you don't achieve well enough in many cases ie you might still need to pass the entrance tests at 7 or 11 or certain number of expected gcses etc to enter the sixth form

Rather a sweeping statement HYACINTH !!! How do you KNOW!
I blame the parents!

Depends whether you want your child to be able to mix with the rest of the world. Only 7 per cent of kids are privately educated. If you put your dd into the private sector from the off, she'll be restricted socially. I did state primary, private secondary, and the girls who had been there since kindergarten were very, very sheltered.

nothing like a bit of sweeping generalisation Hyacinth.

I suspect Hyacinth is a wind-up merchant...

A troll! is that the right word?

yes - back under your bridge hyacenth!

Why are you lot so nasty - I don't understand I make a statement as to what I want for my child and you lot say rotten things back. We have saved hard to offer him private education. What is wrong with wanting the best for your child.

I guess because not all state schools are absolute rubbish

erm...I think you'll find that we're not beeing nasty, merely pointing out that "state schools are absolute rubbish" was a bit of a generalisation. no-one criticised you for wanting what's good for your daughter (probably in part because that's not what you said)

Fed up with you all. Joined this site because am having hard time at the moment and thought would be nice to have some good people to swap views with and chat to. Obviously very wrong. Will not be contacting site again. Small minded bunch. Goodbye.

can you read hyacinth? you said all state school are crap. some people pointed out that was a generalisation. I'm not sure I understand how its teh people who thought this was a generalisation who get labelled small minded. It is a generalisation. fact.

The state school my kids go to has many issues if you're not NT, but for your NT kids (as two of mine are) it's as good as any private school, genuinely. Indeed, everyone thinks it IS a private school.

I didn't like the insinuation that anyone who doesn't access private schooling doesn't want the best for their kids. Firstly, not all kids CAn access private ed- don't forget that all kids aren't NT. Secondly, many parents cannot afford it. I'm one, its not that I don't value education or my kids- after all I'd be unlikely to be studying my arse off to teach would I?

I've never met you on here before Hyacinth, but if you're going to flounce every time anyone disagrees with you i think you may strugglw on this site

(BTW there's a lot of very dedicated state sector teachers on here, I hope they weren't offended by your comments)

To say ALL state schools are absolute rubbish is just too narrow minded and inviting ridicule. Few people will argue with you if you say that in your area or for your circumstances private schools are better although some undoubtedly will. The reality is that the issue is far from black and white as you have generalised. Mostly it's murky grey, and it's not at all difficult to find state schools that are better than private ones. My kids are at private school here, so I am not one of the anti-private in any circumstance brigade.

i wish all primary schools were state schools (runs away)

Personally although we could afford private we have gone with state primary and so far it is working out fine. Although we are lucky to be catholic as I wouldn't consider the local state non-catholic school.

I would probably move house rather than pay for a private primary because we would rather use the money to buy a bigger better house or as dh says invest in a property for the boys to have when they finish school than spend the money on fees.

Of course it does depend on what primaries are available and how bright your child is. I think if you have bright children there is no point in a private school unless it is selective. However, if your children are average and would benefit from small classes and extra help a non selective private would be a good choice.

These are just my opinions so I hope nobody takes offence. One other reason for preferring the local state school is I believe there is a wider mix of children not just the privileged few.