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Education

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Original poster

When should I change from private to state ?

23 replies

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 20:52

Hi, my daughter is at a nursery linked to a private school, she loves it and is doing really well. We've decided to take her out after nursery and put her in to our local primary which was rated as good by ofsted.
I've been reading the report and it says that the more able children particulally in years 1 and 2 aren't achieving their true potential, but learning in accelorated in years 3 to 6.
My daughter will start at the school in Jan 2010, so before that she'll carry on at nursery and go in to transition, which is still in the nursery building, but it's the equivelent of reception. She'll do half of transition before moving schools.
I just wondered wether we should let her stay at the private school for years 1 and 2 before moving her to the state school.
I'm a bit concerned that she'll go down hill if she is not working to her full potential.

OP posts:

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:13

would it be harder for her to change schools at 7 or 5 ?

OP posts:

Bluestocking · 17/12/2008 21:16

Xenia? Xenia?? You're needed over here ...

MollieO · 17/12/2008 21:23

Not sure that Xenia has ever seen a state school let alone be able to advise on actually attending one!

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:23

Why Xenia ??

OP posts:

MrsMattie · 17/12/2008 21:27

'....but if she doesn't go to private school she won't get into Cambridge and grow up to RULE THE WORLD ...'

Sorry. Just trying to think of what Xenia would say.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:28

S what do you think ? Sod Xenia.

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MollieO · 17/12/2008 21:29

Maybe bluestocking was thinking of the private school aspect?

Personally I'd be reluctant to move my dc at 7 unless there was a general move at that age. It will be hard being the new girl in a class where friendships are long established.

It is apparently very popular where I am for children to attend nursery/transition at one of the local private schools and then move to state. Supposedly because the local nurseries aren't up to much. Not surprisingly quite a few parents end up not moving their children at all and staying private for at least primary.

Coldtits · 17/12/2008 21:30

I would think it would be harder at 7, when friendship groups are quite set. At 5 they are still fluid, and open to newcomers.

Pantofino · 17/12/2008 21:31

IMHO you are worrying far too much about this. Especially if your state primary has a good ofsted report. How old is your dd - 3?

TotalChaos · 17/12/2008 21:31

I think better to move her earlier (unless in your town the junior schools are separate to the infant schools anyway), as friendships at 4/5 are a lot more fleeting than at 7/8, so it won't be as hard finding new friends etc.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:31

Is she really that bad?

I just want my daughter to be happy and achieve her full potential, like any other Mum.

OP posts:

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:35

Thank you, I'll definatly either move her at 5. Good point about the friendships.

OP posts:

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:42

My daughter is nearly 4.

I just want to do the right thing for her, I really want her to stay at the school but that would mean working 3-4 night shifts a week and having almost no money for anything else.

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MollieO · 17/12/2008 21:49

I do know of someone whose dc attended private school nursery/transition and then moved to state school because they couldn't afford the fees. They then moved back to the private school at 7 with scholarships. That worked out okay as the school has a large intake for that year - they add an additional class at that age.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 17/12/2008 21:53

I didn't think you could get scholarships at that age, I don't think we can get them untill they're 11.

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happywomble · 17/12/2008 21:57

I have read some of your previous posts and really think you should make the move to state.

If the primary school you are thinking of is ranked "good" and you liked it going round I think there is a good chance your daughter will be happy there and do well.

If the state school is oversubscribed you will not necessarily get your daughter in at Yr3 and by then it will be harder for her to make the move as friendships will be more established. If you move your daughter for reception she will probably be fine..if for any reason it doesn't work out you will be able to take her back to the private school.

If the state school works out you will have fewer financial worries and have to work less so you will have more time to enjoy your DD and to help her out with reading etc.

MollieO · 17/12/2008 22:18

The school my ds is at doesn't do scholarships until 11 but the co-ed private school in our town does do scholarships from 7 but weirdly only for new pupils not existing.

I looked at both state and private options for my ds and ended up choosing the one I liked best and that could offer the wraparound care I needed. I did think about trying the private school for reception year and then keeping him there if we didn't get a place at our local excellent state school. Ds is summer born so would go straight into year 1 as our LEA doesn't do rising 5s. Having been there a term I realise what a mad prospect that would have been. He has settled in so well and is really enjoying school life. I couldn't imagine moving him now at all.

Litchick · 18/12/2008 09:40

Lots of kids move from state to private throughout their school years. We've had kids join from state in year 1, 2 and 4.
Sometimes it takes a little time to settle down but then it's like they've never been anywhere else.
Only one little girl couldn't hack and went back to her old school.
And at 11 and 13 they all go their seperate ways anyway so really it wouldn't matter if your DD joined then, assuming you could prep hewr for entrance.

AMIStletoekiss · 18/12/2008 09:41

Hi, I would definitely start her at the state school at the "normal" starting time, that way she can settle in with the other new pupils, get to make friends from the start, and the teacher and school will be geared up to helping them settle. Moving at other stages isn't terrible if you have to do it, but if there is a choice then it's better avoided.

If the school gets a good Ofsted overall, then any picky little criticisms are likely to be just niggling details and not a real reflection of what the school will be like.

Litchick · 18/12/2008 09:43

Bum, sorry I now realise you mean transferring from idependent to state!!!
I seriously wouldn't spend your cash.
The early years are just that in every school...they learn to learn and make friends.
And if your independent school is ahead academically your DD will be bored if she has to cover all the material again.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 18/12/2008 17:36

Thank you everyone, I'll definatly move her in to reception at the normal time.
I can always then put her back in the private school for secondary as I think that would be more beneficial and it'd give me time to save up.(Or win the lottary

OP posts:

Reallytired · 18/12/2008 20:06

mummyloveslucy,

I think you have to remember the reasons you have decided to move her. As your daughter has problems with her speech she needs better support than is available at her present school. If you kept her there then you would have to pay for speech and language theraphy as well as the school fees.

tinselroundtherock · 21/12/2008 14:53

Move her earlier and let her establish good friendships and confidence in her surrounding.

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