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Original poster

DH says private school is too much but i want then to go

38 replies

doublehelp · 13/01/2008 12:23

After looking around all the schools in our area state and private we fell in love with a private school about 5mins drive. Its everything we would want from a school. Have just been filling in the registration forms and other info needed by the school and DH says he has changed his mind as he thinks its too much.
He is worried that in a few years time with the fee increases in school we wouldn't be able to afford it. How can i convience him it is the best for our Dc's and we can deal with that if and when that happens

Thanks

OP posts:
cardiffgirl · 13/01/2008 13:36

Do you or they have friends at the school they are at now, or at the private one? What do they think of them both?

Original poster
doublehelp · 13/01/2008 13:38

Her main friend goes to the private school. We both looked at the school without knowing the other one was considering it. she has made some friends at her current school but i wouldn't say i keen on them or the parents she has one girl she is friends with but in the other class

OP posts:
meemar · 13/01/2008 13:38

you sound like the kind of parent obviously interested in your children though, so you would read to them every day even if the school doesn't.

Sparkling equipment isn't necessarily worth the thousands of pounds in fees you would be forking out.

The atmosphere of the private school may be calm, but thats because there are fewer children surely - large groups of kids are noisy - it's normal

If the children acheive well academically and and are happy at the state school, maybe you don't need to look to the private system.

cariboo · 13/01/2008 13:41

No problem, doublehelp. Spelling mistakes are de rigeur on MN! Unquiet & I are pedants.

Original poster
doublehelp · 13/01/2008 13:41

Dh is now reading this lot to see what you all think. I'm going to clear up. Sorry if he types anything to offend anyone

OP posts:
UnquietDad · 13/01/2008 13:42

Well, given that 90% of people go to state school and put up with those conditions and ratios... (mostly because parents just don't have the opttion of anything else...)

And most of them turn out all right...

meemar · 13/01/2008 13:43

Oh no the pedants help!

sorry, I meant achieve

cariboo · 13/01/2008 13:43

Tis true. We live outside the UK so can't really compare.

Wisteria · 13/01/2008 13:46

Personally, unless I had loads of disposable income to spare, I wouldn't even consider it if you have a grammar school option. I don't think you realise how lucky you are.

Save your money - buy your holiday home in the sun and get a tutor to help your dcs through the 11+ if necessary.

By the way my dds are both at a local state school with not the best rep. but are both achieving above average targets for their age and I put that down to the amount we put in at home.
I don't deny they would probably be doing better academically at a public school but I don't think they would be as well rounded! My friends' children at the local private school are turning into complete snobs(IMVVHO)!!

LIZS · 13/01/2008 14:27

I'd be slightly concerned as to how the school has places now , presumably for September ? Unusual ime, especially given such small classes, unless it is a low birth rate year or State applications are beign offered places (some will have registered as a back up plan). What does Ofsted say about it ,any weakensses ? Is it a one form intake as with very low numbers it limits both social opportunities and team sports.

alfiesbabe · 13/01/2008 18:47

Sounds like ur dh is being very sensible about it all. You do realise that private school fees escalate rapidly as the child gets older?? In many schools by the time the child is 11 or 12 you could be paying double what you pay at age 4? Fees also increase way beyond inflation usually too. You need to think ahead about if your circumstances change - would you be able to keep up the fees?? Personally I wouldnt be prepared to work just to pay school fees - I think I'd resent all my hard earned salary going on it! But I guess if money is no object and you think you're going to get a much better deal then go for it.

ElenyaTuesday · 13/01/2008 19:00

On your spreadsheet have you factored in the annual fee increases to check it is do-able year on year rather than just do-able right now? I've done this myself recently which is why I probably sound a bit obsessive about it!!

Quattrocento · 13/01/2008 19:03

I would say that if you are worried about the cost, do think twice. The fees at entry level are low but they get higher and higher - it's a bit of a millstone tbh

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