Would you send your gifted child to private school but not the others?

[bogeyface]

DD2 is gifted.

DS1, DD1 are 21 and 14, DS has SEN, DD1 is average (infact above average in ability but her lack of confidence holds her back in achievement) DD3 (7) is over a year ahead of her class in most things and has a reading and writing age of 11, DS2 (6) is above average in ability but not outstandingly so, his mucking about lets him down, he is very Just William! and DD4, we dont know yet as she is only weeny!

So......ex and I are considering putting DD2 in for scholarships at our local prep, which is also nationally renowned (no pressure then :o) as we feel that a private education would help her make the best of her gifts. But, we would only just be able to do this if she got a scholarship and bursary, there is no way the others would be able to go. If DD3 showed the same level of ability and also got a scholarship and bursary then we would have 3 years of paying, admittedly reduced, fees and I am not sure if that would be doable. Although I would be back at work full time by then which would make a big difference.

So would you send one in the knowledge that you could do it and play by ear for the other child? Or not send one if you cant be sure you could afford to send both? I am erring towards the latter as I feel that truly gifted children will achieve anywhere if they have the mindset......but then I wonder if I am selling DD2 short by not applying?

Arrgghh!!!

WWYD?

Grammar (superselective) area here and that makes a big difference.

I suspect my kids are G+T but they've never been tested. I still don't understand what being tested/labelled early get you TBH... Anyway here is my 2p if I could only fund 1 child...

For the really bright/gifted they'd go to grammar school. This really is education that allows kids to reach their potential both as subject specialists and all rounders. Actually I'd invest my money in the child that was not coping so well in state school. Smaller classes/better equipment etc would make a huge difference to that child. SN child though would be much better in the state system (unless a specialist school for their needs)