Independent Grammar School Durham (low-cost private school model): any experiences or thoughts?

[Kokeshi123]

This is not for us (we are not in the UK anyway), but there has been a lot of talk about the cost of private school in the UK recently, especially with the talk about VAT and inflation. The Independent Grammar School Durham supposedly has developed a low-cost private school model. Is there actually a case/need for this kind of thing in the UK, or is private education only considered worth it if it includes things that cost a lot of money (small class sizes, nicer sports facilities and the like)?

Most people I know in the UK use good state schools near their homes and are happy with them, but I do know one or two people who returned to the UK from overseas and were only offered places in schools that were really bad or miles away, so I can see that even with good state systems, there will always be a need for private schools in some cases....

All pupils should have a cess to good schools. I say this as a secondary school teacher. State education in a mess.

There has been a massive increase in pupils with recognised and unrecognised additional needs,stroppy unsupportive parents and pupil apathy. Add to this a decrease in funding for such support,teacher burnout,nonsense policies and you have a perfect storm.brewing. it is rare for me now to teach a class where there is not some disruptive issue to deal with. The cooperative pupils sadly are becoming immune to disruption and used to having time taken out of their learning. Should this be the nature of secondary education? Someone in management seemed to think it is. I disagree

They should. But they don't

Hello; our 5 year old starts here in Sept, we are elated. I know 4 children of different ages of friends that have started and have thrived. The ethos of the school comforts me; we are not happy with some of the teachings in state school and after many (as I fully need to understand the model & school & teachers) visits I can tell you first hand the children here are thriving. They have smaller classes, and ratios are fantastic. The current education system and funding is continually wasted in most schools and after many conversations with how they spend and use their money, how they structure the days, the opportunities for the children, the clubs, the people involved in the school, the academics AND how the children are thriving this trumps all state schools for us. After hearing people liken this school to an experiment of sorts amuses me, there’s nothing more experimental than over 30 children in a class, with one teacher, all learning at different paces and expected to keep up regardless; sitting under artificial lighting and having to conform for 6 hours with parents having little to no say over the own son/daughter. This school is fantastic and I’m excited to see how my daughter thrives like the other children x

Please be careful @Sar861 the accounts are not too healthy with a large deficit and they were nearly struck off Companies House last year. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04000429/filing-history

My daughter had been in an excellent state school for the past 7 years and it has never felt like an experiment. She has thrived. So don’t assume all state is bad.

I really don't see how they think they will be able to provide a good education at a lower per pupil cost than a state primary.

the linked Guardian article says its £2700 a year (not a term) and that it has around 24 pupils aged 4-9 (years R-4). How many teachers do they employ? What do they do for sport, art, music, drama?

I can see it might appeal to families who were vaguely thinking of "state til 8' and who did not get in to a primary they liked. But I think it's just too small really - fewer than about 16-20 pupils in a class can be socially difficult. This school seems to have EYFS, KS1 and KS2 so I'm wondering how they arrange teaching

Hello, interested to see how you have seen the actual accounts ? As these are made visible for parents of school children there, does your child attend ?

also being “nearly struck off” isn’t an accounting issue it’s more an admin issue.

of all i said you took one part about state schools and focused on this, sorry if that triggered something in you; but I was responding to a comment about it being an experiment not attacking YOUR child’s ability.

it just seems so many people have so many strong views on something that I’m yet to see any substance of ie their child went there or they’ve seen actual accounts.

fyi ZERO deficit as of last week so unless I’m reading something totally different ? I’m happy to learn though.

All I’m seeing so far is many views and an attack on something I’ve only seen and heard great things of from the actual school accounts AND parents AND children that attend.

and finally the education system in it’s entirety needs a shake up as it’s not fit for purpose but that’s a totally different conversation for another day

x

Hello, interested to see how you have seen the actual accounts ? As these are made visible for parents of school children there, does your child attend ?

That is why I linked to the Companies House filings page where anyone can look at the latest set of filed accounts. It is in the public domain.

this trumps all state schools

is what I was countering. I didn’t talk about the ability of my child at all, I was saying it is possible to thrive in a state school.

ZERO deficit as of last week so unless I’m reading something totally different ? I’m happy to learn though.

has this been audited? I refer again to what is in the public domain which is all that most parents or concerned people will have to go on. I know Companies House accounts aren’t as current so sounds positive if the school have been able to reassure parents on their recent financial stance. I made my comment out of care as I’ve seen schools go financially under and it is the children who suffer.

So my daughter goes here. Is it for everyone, absolutely not. But for some it’s perfect, why? Well it’s like a big family. Is the education better, probably not, it’s the same if I’m honest. What is better, the nurture, zero bullying. Small classes of kids who have come from families who are not necessarily rich, but want their children to be kids without the peer pressures of today. It’s also very multicultural which is lovely. Kids from Canada, America, Dubai. It’s a school where boys who are in year 8 still play cops and robbers, where girls don’t need fake eyelashes, nails or Vivienne Westwood to fit in. Everyone is just happy. Yes they still do what normal kids do but the pace is so much nicer. The classes are also mixed year groups ans they look after wach other. My child is born in August, and might sit on a table with kids a year above or below but they all do the same work at the level they work at. There are no kids who are better than others, if she needs to do work that is a year below she doesn’t know, she just feels confident because she’s not made to feel like failure. Same goes for the bright ones, there are super bright kids here too who get the push they thrive off. Confidence is what this school instills for it’s children and that’s what makes it better; there is no place for low self esteem here.

Sounds fantastic and you are getting private school without the huge cost. Have they said anything about VAT as it is still a private school therefore VAT will apply?

Definitely still cheaper. We are NE, south of Durham so I did look at it but at the time I don't think they offered the range of GCSEs?? I may be mistaken as I can't really remember but we did discount it

Hey, how is your LO finding it? Considering sending our child here