I'm all for it, I wish we could afford to send our DC's but can't, so we're home educating instead.
It's been many years since I was at Braeside (I'm 40 now !) and I was there from 4/5 to completing my GCSE's. It was the perfect school for me - I was a very shy child and being in such a small school, with small classes, really helped me. I would have had a very difficult time had I been in a mixed state school, the sheer size and coping with boys would have crushed me!
I didn't realise how good the education I'd received was until I'd left. I went on to a college for A-levels and it was then I discovered the huge gaps my fellow pupils had in their education - items that I had covered in junior school.
I also think that being privately educated gave me a certain confidence and respect for authority that helped me throughout my career. No it isn't right that our state schools are, in the majority, not providing a decent enough education (IMO) but that's how it is and I think that if a family can afford it they should go private. Let's face it, going to a 'good' school can open doors and looks good on the cv.
There were a couple of downsides for me - the 'keeping up with the Jones'' but this was perhaps the area rather than the school! Many of the girls had quite lavish lifestyles, whereas we were quite the opposite, and I struggled with this sometimes. Also the fact that state schools have more money for resources, whereas we were quite limited there. This may have changed though, it's been a long time!
Ultimately, although I was a child that struggled with school, I have very fond memories of Braeside and I'm really grateful that I went. I feel very sad that I can't give my own DC's the same opportunity to be privately educated.
Not sure whether I've helped? Hope so. Good luck!