Private primary ed?

[AbieH]

So I don't want to sound pretentious/snobby/stuck up and I know a lot of people on here will judge me for this post but I'm going to go ahead and write it anyway.
My DD is 3 and will be starting school in September 2013, so I've started thinking about her education and talking to DH and other parents about what primary school will be best for her.
Both DH and I went through the private education system from the age of 5 up. I really feel that private education is worth it (if in an academically good school- NOT for the snobby suggestion that I don't want my DD 'socialising with the wrong kind of children'), right from the beginning of primary school. DH, on the other hand, doesn't think it's worth it until at least age 11. I know how lucky we are to be in a position where this is a dilemma, and to be honest the decision isn't only based on fees- it comes down to the fact that DH had an unhappy childhood and I had a very happy one, so the schools we went to don't really come into it.
AIBU? Or is he? Is it worth the money? Where do your children go? Thank you! xx

See, that seems stupid to me that there are 4 schools that you could walk to yet they don't give you a place in them. Surely you should automatically get a place at your closest school?
I don't have a car so a school 2 miles away would not be an option. And what happens to communities? If children are all over the place surely the sence of comunity with in an area goes down as you don't get to chat with all the people from your neigbourhood at the school gates. Or for that matter get to say to naughty children in the street "I know your mother" :)

I wouldn't bash private schools or the parents that choose to send their children there but to be forced into the situation where you really can see no other choice is wrong.

Right sorry really have taken this off topic now. :)

Cleek - state schools will aim for an appropriate level for the child (I expect the same in privates too). My ds was all 3s in ks1 sats, therefore if he gets less than 5s in ks2 that would be considered a 'failure' for him (the teacher said there would need to be very unusual mitigating circumstances for instance illness or big problems at home) for him to do otherwise. There are also level 6 papers too, which I'm sure he'll be pushed to if appropriate.

Private school is worth it if you can't get what you are looming for in the state sector. Our priorities were, a local school which the DC's could walk to, high academic standards and a can do ethos. We are lucky enough that we had it within walking distance and my DS1 has thrived in every way. He might have liked a bit more sport at a private school and some more space to play cricket at lunchtime but that has never been enough to uproot him. DD fell apart in the same school and is now blossoming at a lovely prep school. Academically she had no catching up to do so no, it wasn't worth sending her private for the academics but as a shy introverted child she has thrived in a smaller class with superb pastoral care. DS loves being around loads of people and a larger class has been no hindrance to him.

I genuinely believe that a good state education is ideal at primary and that the differences between state and private are minimal and it would always be my first option, hence DS2 will go to the same state school as DS1 and I do not feel that I have done either of the boys any disservice whatsoever by going down that route.

DS1 attended our local primary school (large 3 form entry) and did well achieving L5s in his Y6 SATS (L3 in writing). The only problems I had were that I felt he could have been extended with his maths and everytime I queried his problems with writing and spelling, I was told it was a 'boy' thing and would resolve itself with age. It didnt and he is now getting the help he needs at his independent secondary.

DS2 (Y1) also attends this local primary but the 'feel' of the school has changed after the a Head Teacher change and as he appears to be having the same problems, if not worse, as DS1 with recording we are investigating sending him to the prep school attached to DS2's school. I certainly feel that the small class size (max 16 per class) would benefit him.