Grammar or Private School for Oxbridge

[londonmummy4]

I wonder if you lovely ladies or gentleman can help me in my dilemma. My DS has won a place at a very amazing grammar school and a top private school. It is driving me crazy because everyone has an opinion on what we should do. We have no endless trust fund to help our 4 kids and who knows what the political landscape will be in the future. I'm inclined to go with the private school because I never went to one and I think it will be an amazing opportunity. But I am being told by various people that to get into Oxbridge in 5 or 7 years time for the private school students it will be a lot harder. I don't want to play that game. I don't care about Oxbridge. I think the journey and end result will be better at private school for our kids. Am I wrong in thinking this?

"You say your top priority is that he is happy, well-balanced etc (or something like that) rather than Oxbridge. The best chance for that (in my opinion, obviously) is a chilled, stress-free home life with happy parents, and enough money and time to do nice things together as a family. Having to continually bust a gut for school fees will add a nice thick layer of stress and eat up lots of holiday and evenings."

This!

DH went to Cambridge from a state school and was never asked what sport he did at school or what trips he went on. If your dc are bright enough and want Oxbridge they will get there from any school.

This message may be too late for you, however.....
My son has received an Oxford law offer this year from a non selective state school. At the interviews, he was surprised to discover all but one of the candidates he spoke to attended a state school of some sort, predominantly grammars.