State/Prep/Bursaries argh!!

[twolittlemonkeys]

Hi all I need some help

I've had a phone call from DS1's kindergarten teacher saying she hopes I don't mind but she made some enquiries with an excellent local prep school as to whether they have a discretionary fund for gifted pupils who can't afford private education and that they do and the headmaster will be expecting a call from me if I'm interested in this (!??) As it happens I don't mind, and appreciate the effort she has gone to and the interest in DS's education, though I am a bit bewildered. She said in 20 years running a kindergarten she hasn't come across a 4 year old who is as advanced as he is. About a third of the children from his kindergarten go on to prep schools at 4 so she knows the schools pretty well.

I had DS's name down for a state school locally as there's no way we can afford to send him privately. Whilst it would be fabulous if he could attend a school more likely to stretch him and where he will get a lot more attention than he would at our local state primary, it's highly unlikely that we'll be offered assistance to cover all the fees isn't it? What other things do I need to take into consideration with regards to sending him to a prep vs state?

My head's in a muddle as I'd just made my peace with accepting whichever state school he gets offered (we don't find out until May) and now suddenly prep school has been thrown into the equation. I'm not quite sure how to approach this when I ring the headteacher tomorrow. Help!

Sorry for long post

I think you owe it to your child to seriously look into this. If the Head says he is the brightest boy she has ever seen then sit up an listen as he will not be stretched at state school.

Agree with prayingforababy, if you can do private even if it means some sacrifices, I think you should give your ds the opportunity. I have seen so many bright kids fall by the wayside and state school esp boys, so am currently spending all my wages on ds education and have not regretted it so far

Sorry, had to add if you have the right school then State can be very stimulating for bright kids. E.g. broadening G&T opportunities not just accelerating, such as Visits to Newspaper offices, and then produce their own newspaper.
Also my DCs school has just had a boy G&T and Asperger's do GCSE Maths in year 3 (he really, really wanted to do it). They also can have far more experience of children with SEN and access to lots of good professionals to help (thats why we pay for LEAs). Any extra help at private schools are usually charged for.

I'm not saying you shouldn't look, but I wouldn't feel guilty if its not right for you. Don't get swayed by lovely car parks, libraries (which may not be used) or laboratories (which he won't be using for a few years yet).

The brightest person I've ever met was at Cambridge. He was one of those people who did no work and always got the highest mark in physics. (This is quite an achievement at Cambridge)

If you really are super bright, you really don't need to worry about schooling. You will be too clever for it, regardless of who is educating you. (You might start to find it difficult at A-level)

You will never be stretched until you get into University Education. My friend was educated entirely in the state sector and I suspect he has never found anything difficult.