Help. I think I need to move my dc to a different (prep) school asap

[honeybeehive]

I have totally made a mess of this. I really haven't liked the school my dc attends since day one. They've really let my dc down.

It wasn't until homeschooling I realised how bad the teaching was. Things like the teachers gave things to the dc without teaching them it and because most of the dc had parents helping the majority returned knowing everything and this is how it carried on and the teacher didn't do much teaching. The school said they had provisions for sports and music but only a select few dc are picked to use them, they're really not open to all dc. They use those dc as adverts for the school.

Now a lot of teachers have also left, dc has fallen behind in two subjects where teachers have left and no appropriate replacements have been found. Dc is bright and capable but bored and is being held back. We had hoped to apply for top senior schools but now I feel if I don't move them there's no chance unless I heavily tutor at home.

On top of this, I've just had an email through with an 8% fee rise and it's made me fall off my chair. The school is not worth the money they are asking for, perhaps the rise is reasonable with rising costs but I feel like I'm wasting time and money and I can't afford to when you can't get this time back.

A few people have voiced their concerns which are like mine, they've fallen on deaf ears as have mine.

Teachers are leaving. Students are leaving. My dc two favourite friends are leaving this term because of the same problems so they are indifferent to leaving now.

Will this affect my dc chances of going to any secondary schools because I moved them? I don't even know if I can get them in anywhere now but I have to hand notice by end of Easter holidays. And I'm angry enough to do so now. Does anyone think this school might not give the best reference as well if I leave so abruptly?

How old is DC and how long have they been at the school if you haven't liked it since day 1? Can't believe you kept paying.
What are your local options? State? Alternative private?
Where have the other leaving students moved to?

What year is your DC in?

Just give notice now and find somewhere new for September. Children move all the time, it's not that big of a deal.

@2reefsin30knots

What year is your DC in?

Just give notice now and find somewhere new for September. Children move all the time, it's not that big of a deal.

Agree and I would consider state schools too. Some are fantastic and money saved on fees can be put towards tuition and extra curricular if you want.

Unless your dc is due to take entrance tests in the Autumn I would not worry about moving. Where are their friends going? Could this school be in financial difficulty, in which case moving sooner than later makes sense.

Have a good look around and go for the best school you find - state or private. A good one in either sector should prepare well for a happy secondary experience. If you find a good state school you can pocket money saved on fees for excellent 1on1/ music/ sport out of school to make up for the shoddy prep experience.

I can't believe we paid either, I was scared of upsetting my dd by moving them again as this is their second school. I was going to continue to year 6 for the sake of finishing which altered our plans to stay in a prep until year 8 as it was, but 8% means that it is too expensive to suck this up and carry on.

State options aren't good. We can move areas by September for a good school. I just can't justify paying what this school wants anymore.

@LIZS I've checked their finances. They are quite stable. I'm surprised at the rise but presume it's to do with the rising costs everywhere. We have to apply for some secondary schools in year 5 will this still be ok do you think? The exams will be sat in year 6 though.

Just make sure you return your notice early enough so they can’t charge an extra terms fees. Recorded delivery helps here.

I have had a mixed experience of a prep school too, but my experience of senior schools is that they are used to taking children from all sorts of places including state schools. State education may surprise you: they won’t do history and geography in the same level of depth, but the French that children learn ahead of common entrance is pretty basic, and nothing to miss if you’re in the primary phase of prep education: you can catch up later easily. Latin is the only subject you really miss by switching to state.

In terms of the other academic subjects: state primaries are just as good on the maths and English, and can be better in terms of outdoor education, depending on the prep. No point paying money for a second-rate experience for your child, and if the lockdown provision was poor that’s a fairly strong indicator that the normal provision is below par.

Make sure you give your notice in on time

It won't make any difference to secondaries. Lots of people have to leave private schools for a few years because of financial issues or whatever.