What makes a good primary school good? Good primary vs. selective private prep

[allyfe]

I live 100 metres from a 'Good' state primary school in an area of SE London that has excellent state schools. It is a school which parents move into the area to get into (there is a 3 class intake and yet last year the inclusion zone was 150 metres!). But I am still worrying that because it is on the doorstep, I am being complacent in assuming it is the best school for my DD.

I have been thinking about what makes a 'good' school, and what I would ideally want if I could choose or pay for anything. My response is small class sizes and a creative teaching environment. I had always sworn I would not send my children to private school for primary education, but it was based on my own experience, which was creative and fantastic (70's left wing inner london education). However, in discussing the local private schools with a friend, I realised that the teaching environment in some was exactly what I was hoping for. My real concern is that it is impossible for the current State system to provide something that is creative and personal. At the same time, living so close to a good state school - it seems a bit mad to send my children to a private school (which we could barely afford) that would be much further away.

I do not have children in the state system, and I do not know if my assessment of the learning environment is wrong. As with all parents, I want the best for my children. Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Don't rely on other peoples descriptions and opinions, go and look, and think about what your child needs from school. It may well not be what you wanted as a child.

yep, go & look, chat to the head see what sort of ethos the school has.

I would go with the state school. It's a big financial decision to pay private from prep 1 and if you have an option then lucky you!

My only question would be what secondary does it feed into? Would you be happy with it? Good luck

Why don't you take the 100 metre walk to the school and ask to look around?????? And then look at some of the private schools? Does this friend who is painting a wonderful picture of the private schools have good knowledge of both private and state????

I don't know, but fwiw, I am bowled over by the creativity of the teachers at my dd's state school. They are amazing.

I agree that you should go and look at the school to get a feel for what they're like. I fell in love with dd's school immediately. Partly because it did have echoes of my wonderful 1970s primary school but better.

We are in a similar position several years later agonising over state vs private debate :) Just curious what you chose in the end, and how your DC is doing?

My DD's state primary was an awful lot more creative than their cousin's selective prep school (the private school has more music and sport, but less creativity imbedded in the day to day curriculum which was taught in more traditional ways). Plus a selective prep is likely to put heavy academic pressure on the children, as that's literally their point! (looking at friend's DC's school with 2 hours of homework a night through half term here).

I agree with others. Go and look at the actual schools. Ask your own questions and find out the actual facts, not other people's opinions.

Agree with everyone who has suggested you visit the school, and talk to the head. Be aware that they are more likely to make local friends at the state primary, which can be a positive as they get older.