There are 3 faith schools in my area which I will be applying to for my DD. I found out some information about the closest school which is really concerning me. It is a young (around 9 years old) private school but the fees are surprisingly low, so much so that I would imagine that they would increase steadily over the next few years to improve their funding. Turns out that's not so. They did have major funding, particularly from a property development tycoon, but it 'didn't work out' and I don't think they have managed to find another donor in the current economic climate to replace said tycoon. The headmistress is trying to run a tight ship, but then what's suffering is that apparently the kitchen is in ruin and the volunteer dinner ladies (mums) refuse to step foot in it, resulting in only cold lunch provision (cold food not the issue, kitchen is). I also heard that there isn't a daily cleaner in the school and on occasions the pupils (!!!!!) have been asked to clean the school hall for events etc. This sounds like a HUUUGE wind up, but apparently not...
Now the balance is that the school is probably (???) having a rough patch and would do well to have an aggressive fundraising team. It has an excellent reputation for being a very warm and nurturing environment too. I am however, surprised by the negative information (which wasn't supplied in any way criticizing the school) based on the families I know who attend this school. On the one hand I'm horrified, on the other, I haven't even applied to the school yet and desperately want to think of a way to fundraise for it.
So the question - would you send your DCs here?