Would you move dd from private all girls school to outstanding state for year 3?

[Janesb]

Title says it all really.

Dd in private near Plymouth as 11+ as didn't get good state option of reception.

Now have offer of state place at excellent school.

But she is happy!

What would you do?

Unless you are struggling with school fees or there is something wrong with the school she's at I wouldn't move her as she's happy. She'll have to make new friends and fit in at a different school.

I have one child at a very good state primary and one at private (couldn't afford private til ds was year 3 and he didn't want to change, dd didn't get into a good state primary). In some things the private school seem to expect a lot more of dd than the state school expected of ds at the same age, other bits they seem to do far less, so it might be worth looking at where her new class would be up to as you don't want her missing bits or having to repeat bits.

I would be inclined to say leave her where she is if she is happy and you can afford it and the school is good BUT Yr3 is probably a fairly good age to change schools if you are going to and I think you also could consider secondary school implications. So for example if this state school was a church school leading to a good church school secondary which might be important to you, if she would have more friends from the state school going on to the senior school she is likely to end up as, commute to school, after school clubs etc.

I think you need to decide if you could keep her where she is and then ask her. She is old enough to have some input (and I am sure you would ask her anyway but just if money could prove to be a problem in the future then make your decision without giving her so much say if that makes sense)

Thanks for your opinions.

We will be asking her this week.

She could stay where she is but won't go on to secondary school with many, maybe 2 at her current school. Whereas if we move her then lots will go on to the same school.

She is happy where she is but would love boys to play with. Also I have not been completet happy with the academic side where she is as think she is coasting. State school gets good results.

Need that crystal ball!!

I would say, as mother of 2 dd's at an outstanding state school, keep with the private.

My main reason would be the class room sizes. I'm very pleased with our school & there is a great community feel about it, but I have no doubt the Dd's would have a better opportunity & education at private.

At the moment we aren't in position to think about private & even if we did, we, as a family would miss out. Dd's are very happy. Dd1 getting along ok (not terribly academic), Dd2 making good progress - but they are very different when it comes to listening/learning.

Dd1 going into yr 6 in September & I'm starting to think about private - if she could get in. (and I'd have to get a job !) The comp is also outstanding but it's massive & I feel concerned with possibility of getting Dd1 getting lost. The grammar is out of the question & the other options of private apparently have waiting lists.

I would be wary of asking your dd her opinion, rather than her thoughts. IMO boys at school are a distraction

What about as private not option for secondary but single sex grammar.

When does she get to mix with boys otherwise?

Do class sizes make such a difference?

If you're decision is based on boys, join her up with beavers/cubs/scouts !

Class sizes make a massive difference, generally in large classes the smarter ones tend to get bored and the less academic ones can get left behind as there is less chance to work one to one. Small classes give the teacher a chance to push each child a little bit more, although if you think she's coasting where she is that might not be true in the school she's at and some state schools have a lot of very good TA's so they still get one to one attention.

Well we asked her tonight and after an initial bout of nervousness she was quite excited about it. She asked if she could go on a taster day, which unbeknown to her is already arranged for Tuesday.

I think that although I agree that a private school offers more academically, I feel that once the girls get a bit older, they get a little precious and perhaps a bit precocious. They are a little spoilt although they are very mature.

But they offer more of an all round experience.

I prefer the idea that the state school has a more relaxed atmosphere and more normal. Having boys around would also lighten the atmosphere.

Still in a quandary!!

Any other opinions gratefully received!

She really wants to move but I am panicking about it!

I moved my happy dd1 out of an all girls private in year 2. She is much happier in state as there are more children to mix with and academically more children of a simialr ability which has helped her progress. I felt the girls in her class and parents were very precious, competitive and it felt like a very 'unreal' situation.

laura0806 that's exactly how I feel.

Academically this state school has children of a far higher and similar ability to dd than the private school.
Socially it is also better for her.

But just feels so hard to make final decision!
I know it is better for her to move her but I did love the nurturing side of her private school and they have done a great Job boosting her confidence so far.