Taken DD out of private prep into state primary - we are all so much happier

[SecondhandRose]

I can't believe I spent so much money and time at that private primary school. I have taken my DD out, she won an academic scholarship although it was only 15% and brought the fees down to a still huge £842 per month.

The school was distant, unfriendly, the head was no where to be seen and answered questions patronisingly (if there is such a word). Any question you asked of the school was met with suspicion. You couldn't speak to the teacher unless you made an appointment.

PTA was run like a private club, I spent 6 years asking to join and never succeeded.

DS has stayed in a private school as he is now in secondary education.

The new primary is fab, very keen and friendly head and deputy head. Want to improve the school all the time. 78% of the children have school dinners. They have sharing assemblies on a Friday afternoon that parents can attend and each year has a cake sale each week.

DD has gone from a class of 12 (one teacher) to a class of 29 (teacher and assistants). But now she has a big choice of friends to choose from, a more children with the same abilities as her she can work with.

Hi Secondhandrose,

My daughter too has moved this term from a private prep to a state primary - her prep was good, with an approachable head and nice teachers - although the PTA sounds just like yours!! It just cost more than £800 a month - and living in an area with good state schools we werent sure if it was worth it. My girl too (year 3) loves her new school and has a nice group of friends. She's settled in very quickly. Was impressed that the school already have streamed them for maths, spelling and dished out reading books of the right level. But still concerned that she wont be challenged quite enough - homework only once a week, and that after Christmas! I'd like her to get more ... though overall quite pleased with things despite these reservations. Have to say, my daughter often comes home now telling me what she's learned in school (this didnt happen before) and she skips through those school gates ..."you go home mum ..." instead of holding onto my hand

I'm really pleased that you are happy with your decision. My friend has just moved her 3 children from state to private and had mixed emotions at the moment. Her ds seems to have settled well and likes the fact he can listen and learn without being called names. Her dd's aren't settling too well and have been called names and told they smell! I'm hoping she won't regret her decision to move her dd's as there is little chance of getting back into the state school as it's over subscribed

Thanks for the replies, my old school didn't really believe in homework and my DS got none at all in year 6 before he left as they believed the children shouldn't have to do much as they'd be doing lots in 2ndary school! Eh what? We all said the school should have been preparing them for 2ndary school with a little bit each night.

The new primary is keen to be a very high achieving school and is already so I'm sure they'll keep her busy.

Hope your friends kids are OK PN. Some people do think they are special because they can afford private ed.

to be honest secondhand rose i agree with the opinion of your ds`s old school that primary school children shouldnt have homework. too right, let children be children. theres plenty of time for homework when they go up to secondary school. childhoods far too short to waste precious time that could be spent enjoying time together stressing out about homework.

Glad your daughter's move has gone well. regardless of school type, the most important thing is to chose a school that best suits your child and your family. Sound slike you have managed this so far this time.

I am really pleased for you

I wish we could find the same experience. We have tried state school and an independent school (where she is now) and they have both been appalling in their level of care.

For all but 6 months (state school) and 2 weeks (Independent) she has been home educated and if only I could find half a dozen girls and boys for her to play with I would carry on, but it's proven too difficult for me to get her a social life without school. I don't drive so I feel a lot of guilt about that.

I was under a false impression that independent school would mean a higher level of care but I have seen already that that is totally wrong. In fact, it seems that they want even less to hear about any problems than the state school ever did, and I thought THEY were bad! Give me strength, what has happened to the world? Oops, there I go being old again