State or private from age 4 to 7?

[chipmunkswhereareyou]

State or private dilemma.
For the 4 to 7 phase (i.e. the equivalent of pre-prep), we have the choice of a local state primary with a class size of 30 or a non-selective private prep with a class size of 16 at a cost of around £10k per year(both schools say they have one classroom assistant in addition to the main teacher).
We can afford this but of course in the current financial climate there?s always the risk of job losses which would make things more difficult (although we could ride out a short period of unemployment).
The private prep has better facilities but is three miles away, whereas the local primary is a 10 minute walk.
The other consideration is that we would probably look to move him to a private prep at 7+ if he were at the state primary.

10k a year for 13 years.....

Wouldn't it be a better start in life to simply buy them a house? Then it doesn't matter if they aren't investment bankers, they will always have security.

MrsMattie, I wasn't referring to anyone in particular on this thread, just the general argument on MN with regard to Private v State is pointless, you cannot get advice from strangers where best to send your child to school. You are going to send them where you feel best in the end. Not where X on this thread said to. I think the OP will realise that for herself.

I'm fine with the views expressed on here and it's useful to hear all the pros and cons, and people's experiences.

I WISH someone could solve the BLOODY problem on here as it would be a lot easier than me and DH going round and round in circles but even the wondrous MN can't answer this kind of question sadly!

If you want unqualified or under performing teachers who can't handle the requirements of the state system go for private.

If you want a school which is not likely to Ofsted inspected, go private.

If you want less resources and colder classrooms in some schools go private.

If you want staff who haven't attended CPD training for a year go private.

Shall i go on????

p.s. pgwithno3 I've CATed you. Thanks.

Thanks BJB but /i have to say I dont recognise the private system you are describing. ~Have you seen it for yourself?

we are debating this as we have not got a place at our preferred private school

I am swayed to private due to (in our situation) better music provision, smaller class sizes (local state school has floating TAs and they were vague about how much time they would spend in the reception class)

people we know locally are either going catholic or private

Views are what they are chipmunk, just don't let people cloud your judgement. I think certain things are very personal (education being one of them) and it is a decision that you and DH need to make without having too much input from others (and I'm talking about family etc not just Mumsnet).

oh yes!
PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT BECAUSE YOUR PAYING ITS BETTER!!!!

I have seen far to many crap teachers move into private because the performance management is non existant! Lots of teachers who can't cope with the work load move across as the expectations for planning and assessment are just not the same.

I work P/T in an outstanding state primary and also ironically 1 day a week for the improvement team in OFSTED poorer schools and I see good teachers working with the hardest of children doing an outstanding job.

Look at the value added. Any school can get good results but which make the most difference .......... its not the private schools.......

I can understand why parents faced with poor state schools may want to go private, but I would move before going private.

bluejelly - where is the basis for your sweeping generalisation about private schools?

You should say you're instead of your, and too instead of to. That would really annoy me if you were my kids' teacher.

It can be true though electra, there are a lot of teachers (I have 10 in my close family) who know of teachers who leave the State system to work in the Private system because it is "easier". Put it this way, if you struggle with the workload of 30 children but want to be a teacher, the better option is to work in an Ind. School where there are half the amount of pupils.

I'm sure there are good private schools. Just how these are defined as good is hard to judge when they are 'inspected' but a body which is generally made up of people who have been educated in the private sector.

I was interested in your comments about being a year ahead of others in year 3. How was that messured? NC tests? There are about 15 out of the 21 in my class this year that are ahead of the NC expecteations for the end of Year 3........um perhaps I should send a bill home???

'Value added' and 'results' are precisely why I chose private education. No box ticking or teaching to the test. Just teaching, by fully qualified teachers.

Your right combustiblemom there is too much pressure on teachers and children.

The school I attended took one look at the sats exams for 14 year olds and turned them down on the basis that they were simpler than the year 7 end of year exams.

combustible, do "fully qualified" teachers not teach in the State sector?!

I hope so! I meant that classes aren't taught by TAs while the teachers catch up with endless paperwork.

As to OP, if the local primary school seems good it would seem like a sensible plan to send your child there until 7. It will mean that you can put aside some cash as an education fund, so that if your income were to take a sudden dip in the future you would be able to meet the fees.

I hope so as well!

I would have LOVED to have kept DD1 at her Independent school as she loved it and was happy there but I did find that on speaking to some of the parents of children in Year 4 and above that the teaching was not as good as it should have been. To me, paying £7500-£10,000 per year was not worth it is the teaching was sub-standard. I wouldn't even accept that in a State School.

chipmunk I cannot see where to find my messages and nothing has come through via my email yet.

pg - MNHQ will email you with my email address.

Is there a 'my head is spinning' emoticon thingy? I really need one right now with all these conflicting views!

chipmunk, if your local State is near to your home (walking to school is so much easier) and it has great reports from Ofsted, why not send DS there and see how he settles in and how he copes there for 2 years. If he is flourishing, there really is no need to move him is there? If he lagging behind then you may find moving him to the Private school could benefit. A child will do as equally well in a good State School as they will a Private IF they have supportive parents who take an interest in their work, read to them/with them and support them to the best of their ability.

Private prep - no contest

Based on the fact that you are moving to a private prep in any event.

The private pre-prep will take your child ahead much faster. Children who entered the DCs school from the state sector have mostly ended up in special groups to catch up the ground.

Good luck