Prep school VS Combination of state primary school + private tutors

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Would like for DC to try for 11+ I have heard that it is important to have all round development so sometimes private tuition does not necessary provide that... My choices are: prep school ( longer hours etc being in a school setting most of the day) or a combination of state primary school and then come back home and 2 times a week to have a private tutor for Maths, English etc to prepare for 11+. Please share your thoughts and experience with this. Thank you!

Sorry is this 11+ grammar school or 11+ independent school and how selective? Might help with replies...

How old is your DC/how long til their 11+?

Personally, unless you are thinking about this very early, I would say stick with the school they're at and get a tutor as the disruption of moving and getting used to a new school and adjusting to the prep, which doesn't necessarily teach things in the same order as the state school, would probably out-weigh any benefits imo.

DC - DD1pre prep and DD2 is nursery. 11+ independent with scholarship option or grammar ( cannot afford full fees)

Does the Prep school prepare for 11+? How much would any 11+ scholarship be worth (often not very much Bursaries can make this up for the very bright but are means tested). Does the Prep go to 11 or 13 normally?

I am assuming you live in a Grammar school area? Is your child bright? Might they not be Grammar school material (you really can't force a square peg through a round hole). What is your back up plan?

prep till 13 but can leave at 11. No I am not in grammar area - grammar schools too far

if you can't afford the full fees for secondary why are you even considering private at prep? Scholarships are not usually for very much and you need to be the brightest of the bright to get one.

I just thought if I get job prep and having DC at the same school would be so much easier and pleasant experience.

The why aren't you looking at the state secondaries? Are you getting reduced fees for the Prep? If you work there and get reduced fees then I can see an argument for it, but you still need to have realistic options for secondary.

Are your children even at school yet? Why are you worrying about a tutor at this age?

yes reduction of fees at prep. I am not getting the tutor now it is just planning long term. MY DD1 is in school and DD2 is not in school yet. Realistic options for secondary - would try 11+ with the option of scholarship. if not, then local secondary. Just feel need to give my DC the best possible chance of education that is why considering preparation for 11+ as important factor.

Ah, I assumed as you were talking about tutoring you meant a year 4/5 child. Prep could well be a good option from that young in terms of getting the best start but it depends on your area, what the schools are like and most importantly what your children are like, preps aren't always better than state.

IMO Prep can be a wonderful start to education but they aren't likely to prepare your DC for a scholarship at 11, especially as the prep you are talking about goes up to 13 so probably doesn't focus on 11+ preparation that much. If your aim is purely 11+ then tutoring is probably a better use of money.

However a lot of what my DD gains from her prep is the extra curricular side, confidence and more time spent on arts, humanities and languages, which is the best start in getting her to enjoy learning, DS's talents are more Maths, English and Science, so the outstanding state he's at suits him perfectly and his teachers think he should pass the 11+ easily.