changing from state to private in early primary - did anyone do it ??

[cora]

Am thinking of changing DS from state to primary as am convinced he will get a better deal. Does anyone have experience of this and what did they find ?? Would be ssooo grateful of a reply.

We moved our 7 yr old DD from a private pre-prep to the state one (admittedly in a v middle class area) - and I have to say, I am not convinced it is worth paying for private education if you have a good primary state alternative. Like some of you, I assumed she was a year, maybe two, ahead of her contemporaries in the state sector -not the case! Yes, she is one of the stronger readers but she has several friends (educated in the state feeder school) who are of the same standard. Spellings, where again she's in the top set - the same. For maths, she was put in the middle group at the state school -despite getting a 2A in her sats ... I was all for rushing round to the teacher and asking her to move her into the top set - but then I tested her myself at home - and I have to admit - I can see why she is in the middle group. So instead, I've concentrated my energies on improving her basic skills - and when she's ready, I'm sure she'll move up. Point is there were some kids (again educated in the state feeder school) who were ahead of her at maths! So it doesnt necessarily go that private school means they will be ahead. My daughters best friend from the pre-prep school has a sister who needs extra help with reading/writing etc. When the mum said to the teacher "I know you work a year or so ahead of the standard in state schools - so while my daughter might be one of the bottom ones in the class, nationally would she be average level?". The teacher at the pre-prep had to tell her that her daughter is below average full stop - whether at a state or private school.

I know people who teach in State schools and send their kids to private schools so maybe that is why they look at these threads.Its the generalisations that annoy those teachers not the thread itself.

people were asking other peoples opinions on the subject. Just cos u don't like the honest answers people r giving there is no need to post threads like u did hideehi, why r u bothering to read thread and comment on state school teachers. Everyone is entitled to their say!!!!!!! deal with it or go to another thread!!!

Celia - quite right IMO.

Worcestercaroline - have you taught in a private school?

I have taught in both private and state

Thanks folks for your opinions - it got to a heated debate didn't it. I think I am worried about what my DS mixes with (friend wise). He is quite shy and unstreetwise and I guesed a private school would accomodate this better also the class numbers seem to be less.

It is true though that private generally means smaller classes and a more personal experience. And certain kids will flourish in that atmosphere. Others will do well wherever they are. It's not true that teachers in private schools are better than those in state - they all have to go through the same teacher training! So you'll get good teachers and less good teachers in both sectors. As someone else on this board says, the private sector is far less regulated than state. What I liked about private schools (my DD has been to two) is that my daughter got more structured homework - this I miss, and a lively afterschool club experience. The state school has far less on offer clubwise. But it certainly has a lot to recommend it (and of course it doesnt cost £825 a month.

I agree with jajas. It still really does depend on the schools you choose from. State primaries can be fabulous nurturing places...or chaotic and struggling. Private primaries can be fabulous nurturing places...or terrifying crammers.
It's the hardest decision you will ever make cora - shop around and think really hard about your decision from your son's perspective

cora, it is a debate isn't it!

My view is that it totally depends on what YOU want to get out of it for your DS. In my experience (which isn't personally huge, but my parents both taught for many years both in state and private) as well as being as one poster said 'crammers' for exams, private schools do take a much firmer more 'moulding' approach to not just behaviour, but personalities...kids can be seen as a reflection on the school the whole time and they need to conform and bend an awful lot. It depends if you want this for your ds.

Personally I am happy with my DS in state school at present because they are doing a lovely job of helping him learn and keep to the basic social rules but there is a respect for his individuality and his own personality; he isn't being squashed to fit the system, the system is being fitted round him, and I'll fight if I have to to keep it that way.

If you can find a private school that does this with your DS then why not? (if it's an issue for you - I realise many many parents actually want their kids moulded, and that's their choice).

I do disagree with bloss who said that teaching qualifications don't matter. They do. For one or two wonderful, natural, born teachers, maybe they don't but most teachers are just human and hugely benefit from being TAUGHT to teach. It's a skill like any other.

And in his private nursery (from which we moved DS) his teacher was unqualified and IT SHOWED.

good luck with the decision though..I reckon the key to deciding is not to judge the 'better' school or system, just keep your DS own personality and particular needs in mind and judge on who can offer him more.

I think it also depends on what is the norm in your area

eg round here most kids go to state primary and private secondary, so I don't think transferring would be an issue earlier. I suppose in area where there are lots and lots of private primaries and the state primaries are very poor as a result it could be an issue

Round here most kids go to..... private secondary" Where do you live - in the grounds of Windsor Castle????????!!!!!!!

Curlew I live in SW14 which is in the borough of Richmond upon Thames. They have the best primary schools in the country, but there is one dire secondary school. I don't know anyone who sends their kids there, they all go privately for secondary or out of borough. When we went on the visit to the primary schools they said that 60% + of their pupils go on to private secondary education.

Thank u curlew for bringing some humour into this thread. Am still laughing :0

My ex husband had taught in both sectors. I think I know a bit about it from the inside out over 20 years. I do think the teaching is better. You are allowed to be better because the children behave, you don't have mixed ability in many private schools and most children are from homes without problems and no one with special needs. It's easier to each in that environment.

Also some teachers are tempted by higher pay and in some cases free accommmodation in the private sector and free school fees so you do geta bit of a drain that way, teachers who want to work in schools with lakes and grounds and a parent body which may be is easier to get on with. SO a bit of a migration of good teachers to the private sector.

INSET days. I almost don't know what they are. My children's education is never interrupted for that kind of thing - another benefit in the private sector.

"you don't have mixed ability in many private schools and most children are from homes without problems and no one with special needs"

Xenia, I think you live cloud cuckoo land if believe that!

if you believe that

Actually, Countess D, I think there are 2 dire secondary schools in SW14 (at either end of Sheen). There are better secondary schools elsewhere in Richmond, but little chance of getting into them.

I am also in SW14 and many parents opt to try 11-plus exams either for the Tiffin grammar schools in nearby Kingston or for a variety of private secondaries.

Only one child from DS1's class in primary school (he's now Y4) has left to a private primary, though another tried unsuccessfully for some highly selective prep schools. Lots of parents are gearing up for 11+ though.

Oh really I thought there was only that one in Hertford Avenue.

No the other one is in Richmond have just looked!

Oh, OK, the one in Queen's Road has a TW postcode, does it? I suppose it would have, as I have friends up that way who are technically in Richmond. Anyway, that one is the preferred choice amongst the comprehensive-opting parents, as far as I can see, rather than the Hertford Avenue one. But results there last year were pretty bad too.

celia they do have Inset days in private schools - often tagged on as half days or extra ones around half term or before term begins.