Regrets? Private vs state

[themonkeysarewatching]

DD currently in year 5 in good local state primary. She's been very happy there and it's been a good choice. We're now currently considering secondary school options. State options are quite limited as religious schools and an academy chain which we're not keen on dominate and only leave one viable option. This school has a good reputation but it's the other side of town and difficult to get to. We do have the option of sending DD to a private girls' school fairly locally, if we tighten our belts a bit. DD is bright, sociable and fairly independent and I think would thrive in most circumstances so we're erring on the state option, but she does like a challenge and we're just wondering whether private would offer her more of that.

Has anyone had regrets about sending their DC private when state probably would have been just as good (if not better) particularly when the financial sacrifices are factored in? Or vice versa?

We went from state primary to private secondary and have no regrets at all, but I do have three friends who regret choosing state. The first two are in the 'could easily afford it' camp, but chose grammar over private. They have no concerns about results - their kids are likely to emerge with excellent grades and go to top universities, so a total success on paper - but they have found the school experience a bit meh. Endless drilling and testing in order to get those top grades, but not much in the way of inspiration or enthusiasm. Higher than expected turnover of teachers with lots of supply. Not much available by way of clubs and sport/music/drama - lots promised but turns out to be limited availability, or frequently cancelled - so endless ferrying around of DC after school to outside activities.

The other friend is very different - their very (and I mean very) bright child went to OK comprehensive which has since really deteriorated, and their child has massively underperformed in exams - combination of awful leadership, huge staff shortages, shocking behaviour problems, and no culture of learning or competition. That friend falls into the 'can't really afford it' camp, but now wishes they'd looked into selling a kidney or whatever in order to move house or make private school happen. All very sad.

But - for all of those examples, there must be loads of others who've been disappointed in their private schools and wish they hadn't wasted their money. I totally agree with @WombatChocolate above - every situation is different, and there is no crystal ball.

Sent my DC to local state primary, was a disaster. Head was crazy religious and didn’t like working mothers, parents were vipers, teachers rarely stayed more than a year or two, my DC who had been keen on reading stopped altogether because it was so discouraging. Decided to pull the plug and send DC private for Y2.
Private: teachers lovely, classes small, parents mostly OK although some were insanely competitive when it came to academics. Also much better comms about what was going on/accessibility of staff if you had concerns, and better availability of wrap around care