Am visiting a potential indie school for my DS tomoro - what should I ask the Head?

[stillenacht]

The school is 5-18. Accepting boys in senior school for first time in 2010. DS is currently in year 5 (in state primary) but thinking of getting him to repeat a year either to do year 5 again or finish at current state primary and do year 6 again and then entry into year 7 until year 11 (straight thru in indie school). Thats the plan anyway. Trouble is....money - do you think they will be crying out for our cash (will be paid for on equity of house) and do you think we can ask for a bursary/discount at this time and if it will be favourable received. I have been saving for last 2 years and have managed to save enough for 2 terms (!) fees so we will remortgage. The school has vacancies within his year group.I am very nervous and out of my comfort zone (I am a teacher even!). Any words of advice/tips? Thanks

Sorry but when you said 'indie' school I had visions of you anxiously discussing whether the dresscode was more goth or emo, and if shoegazing was compulsory.

Brilliant!

Guess the questions you ask depends on your priorities.

We wanted to know about the curriculum, music/drama/sport was very important to us and testing (no SATS). We wanted to know class sizes and to get a feel of the general ethos.

You may want to ask about any extras. Luckily there are very few at the dc's school.

I have no idea about bursaries. I am living in hope that dd will get a scholarship next year but have not mentioned it at all (she has come top of her class but it is no guarantee) as it would help SO mcuh.

Ask how secure they are financially - I know one school that went bust over the summer and is taking boys in soon, and I don't know how long they'll keep it going for.

Article in DT about indie schools up for purchase today.

He would have to get a place in the school before you ask for money off. But you can enquire about bursaries/the bursary policy - just not demand one.

If you want you DS to repeat a year, I would suggest doing it when he moves schools - eg send him to the new school after Year 5 and enter the new school in Year 5.

Are you sure he needs to repeat the year? Has he missed months of education? It is worth asking the school how they think he will fit in. If he does an assessment with them, they will know his potential and will then be able to nurture him.

If he is not reaching his potential at his current school, then I would seriously consider moving him sooner rather than later.

Don't call it an 'indie' school, the head won't like it

Actually the head probably will Violet. Most teachers in indie schools I know use that term as a shortened version of independant. Schools prefer themselves to be seen as indie rather than private.

I go on the Times Ed forums and independant schools are referred to a lot by those working in them or using them as indie.

Customers use it and the younger teachers use it; never the older staff or head! They don't like 'private' either.

I agree that it is independent rather than private, but I have never heard anyone refer to idependent schools as indies.

heh-heh, "Indie School", where Jarvis Cocker is head, Brett Anderson fringes (circa 1993) are worn and "Don't Look Back In Anger" is sung in assembly.

Good God - no not Oasis! Britpop shite!

I know a head who uses the term.

Sorry science teacher i teach in an indie prep school and a GS school too. We call them indies here .

I thought you taught in a grammar school, stille.

Here in Surrey/Berkshire, they are independent schools. No trendy antipodean abbreviations.

It might be a U/non-U thing. Take it from me, they are independent schools, nudge-nudge, wink-wink.

i teach piano in an indie prep school too but my 'main' job is in GS

I guess we are a little more laid back here in Kent

"Indie" school - I have never heard the like. Not even from our gappies

We're an independent school. It says so on our website.

Ah - so you are a peri?

Just two questions -

I don't understand the repeating a year thing. Is it a good idea?

It sounds as though it's going to be financially tight - you sure about this?

As for questions - I'd ask a lot about participation in things - so stuff like plays and afterschool activities being open to all. My DCs schools have lots of clubs but a lot of them are closed to team members only. Which irritates DD who is very sporty but only really wants to play in a couple of teams. It also irritates DS who is not sporty and can't get into the clubs because he isn't really good enough to be in any of the teams but enjoys sport.

I'd also ask a lot of questions about the nature of the teaching regime. Is it individually geared or do all the children HAVE to follow set patterns.

I'd find out a fair bit the extras. Music tuition and school trips are all virtually compulsory and add quite a lot to the bills. Some schools charge for lunches separately as well.

In our situation I'd like to find out more about how mixed the school really will be - because it might be hard if there are only a handful of boys in the first couple of years.

Good luck

Ah well, as a peri teacher, you are in the thick of it.

Honestly, given how uncertain you are in how to communicate with schools re bursaries, etc. Just don't call them indies.

What is the advantage of calling them indies. I really doesn't add anything (does it?) but could possibly detract. There is no upside potential.

It's not really something to take a stand on. You can't possibly benefit.

Bloody hell guys - chill! This is what i mean about MN (I said it earlier on a different post...)Just because i say indie doesn't mean i don't know its really independent - i mean jeeeeeeees

The students refer to gappies - I heard this from the first time from my DS yesterday.

Do you think i am going to go into the Head and call her school an indie school - how patronising some of you are!