Private school better value at primary or secondary?

[Getitdonet]

Hi all,
I have been thinking lately on the above question. If funds were not an issue I would prefer to send DC private all the way, however as it is, would it be better to do so for primary (pro is fees are lower) and then try to get into a grammer (although there is only 1 near to me and even then its more than a mile so more pressure to be in the top percentile) or grunt & sweat to afford the secondary??
I have felt that secondary school was where I would consider private for grades & whole roundedness of experience but the youngest just started pre-prep & I'm realy seeing the difference but atm I can't put both DC through primary and secondary and need to evaluate to see if I could which should I focus on.
Comments & experience v welcomed.

We've taken the risky approach of private primary then plan for state secondary on the basis of a good foundation and general attitude to learning, and general building of character which is so crucial in those early years.

I am probably bias but I went to state schools throughout and remember the nearby private secondaries were major sources of drugs/risky behaviours which although very alluring as a teenager, through my adult eyes now I'm worried of similar behaviour. Also a concern for us is social pressures associated with the wealth of private secondary - i won't lie, at primary my DD just sees the world as a happy place and jealousy of the opportunities open to others isn't an issue (we don't have homes abroad like many other families). I'm hoping that a solid start plus strong family support (with the extra money for tutors) will do us ok. But we do have decent state secondaries near us so that absolutely helps.

But if you invest in a private primary for foundation then end up at a secondary that isnt on par, would that not 'undo' the work of the primary@Empressofthemundane ?

Fair point @louise987 thats one of the major reasons im not keen at all in boarding. Although private may address some issues it does open up others so v valid point and another big one to consider. Although as they get older bad influences are all around & not just in & out of school

@Handholding587

If you can't do both, then go for secondary, but bear in mind that a state primary will not prepare children for entrance exams and you will need to either do that yourself or hire a tutor. It's not just a case of having a bright child. You need to know how the system works, how to prepare children for the type of exam questions they will encounter, and how to prepare them for an interview.

Not necessarily My DC easily got places at the local non selective Private Secondary. DD got a part scholarship and DS got a place too even though there was a waitlist. To be fair though because of DD DS was bumped up the list. On the day he went for a taster we were called into The Heads office and told they would love to have him but the other dc were sent away with a “we will let you know” and he’s probably just above average academically so nothing amazing (except to me) We haven’t noticed a knowledge gap either really

If you cannot afford both then I would definitely say for secondary - I am an assistant headteacher in an independent school who went to state secondary myself (quite a good Catholic state school) but they are just polar opposites in the offerings for students. It isn't just about the academics, the overall experience is so different with all the Co-curricular opportunities you wouldn't get in state, all this helps with growing into well rounded adults ready for the next stage of their education/world of work which state secondaries just don't have time to focus on. What I will say however is that if you do send them to private, it is worth mixing them in clubs with children who do attend state schools for that 'reality check' and street smartness, as I know from experience our students grow up in a bit of a protected bubble.

It is very common where I live (Sydney) to send children to the local school for primary then go private for secondary. If they can a lot of people move their kids in Y5 so they are guaranteed a secondary spot rather than competing for the sought after Y7s places. If you can only afford one then I would definitely say secondary, it is a bit of a shock to the system to go from a private primary to State secondary. However, I think the comments about giving your kids the best foundations you can are also valid so this is the time to keep on top of how your children are doing and supplement if necessary.

Private primary and 6th form?
It might establish good practices.
The outcomes for children at private schools while at university can sometimes be worse due to the additional support and spoon feeding. It was certainly something I observed.
I don’t know the answer but a mix might be a good option.

In my case we are sending my daughter to a private primary school. We have three state grammar schools within a reasonable distance so the idea is to get her into one of those; her school has an almost 100% success rate at entrance exams.

Interesting topic. What about going private for only the last two years before university ie 6th form? DO public schools have capacity for new intakes at the time?

Following. No idea as I only have a toddler.

I went to state all the way through but a good grammar for secondary, but to be honest, I was very bright. What PP said about private school students struggling at uni was my experience. I went to medical school and was the only state school student in my friendship group, but my friends all struggled being in a year group of 450 there with little smal group teaching or pastoral support. They’d been spoon fed and suddenly found out they were average!

We have done state primary in order to save up and then are doing tutor in Yr6 followed by independent secondary. We couldn't afford both and only decided on private secondary in Yr 3 based on her personality and ability. We have good primary schools but not good secondary schools in this area so it was a no brained really.