We are in a right dither trying to decide what to do and would really appreciate any thoughts/ advice from parents/ teachers.
We have been offered a place at our first choice state school starting in September. Ofsted Outstanding, 4 mixed classes in reception of 30 kids in each. (School moved from 3 to 4 form entry last year and about to go through an expansion programme to accommodate extra numbers going forward.) We also have a place secured at an excellent local independent school, mixed, 2 classes in reception of about 20 each. They take an extra form of 20 from year 3.
Both have their merits and we just canâ??t decide which will suit our DC best/ what will set them off on the right track in terms of education. We hate that weâ??re having this discussion at age 4/5 and just want a school that will be fun and a nice place to enjoy before focusing on the academic stuff in a few years. We are pretty certain that DC will manage absolutely fine with either schoolâ??s set up (canâ??t wait to start!). But socially, the state school will provide so much more opportunity to make local friends â?? something the independent cannot offer due to its smaller numbers and the fact people may be travelling further to school. In the early years especially, I think friends really important and our DC is very sociable and loves having friends to play etc. Current friends are mostly going to the state, but a couple of â??acquaintancesâ?? going to private. The state school also has in my opinion more varied after school clubs whereas the private one has much more traditional choir, orchestra etc; but we canâ??t ignore the fact that it is massive and wonder just how much individual attention each child gets in the state school. May also be relevant that DH is mildly dyslexic and is concerned that if DC is the same, a small class may be better. I have concerns (prejudices?) about the private school kids all talking about how much money their daddy earns in the city and all playing polo at the weekend!
We are discussing MANY possible scenarios and options and one question that keeps coming up is about the movement of children at the age of 7. We are thinking that the likely move in our case would be state to independent (if the exam is passed). So, start off with state, then see whatâ??s most appropriate at 7 and try and get in there. We are not in the catchment for our preferred state secondary and so (unless we moved house), would want to get into a local independent secondary school. We have a few good ones to choose from although entry is not guaranteed and we could end up not getting a place locally at all. We both had very different paths through various schools (state/private; big/ small) and are trying hard not to let our experiences influence our decision as so much is obviously dependant on the particular school/ child/ class/ teacher etc etc,
So, what are your thoughts on moving at 7 from state to independent? Does it happen a lot?
I gather tutoring for secondary school applications is pretty standard in the private sector but what about at 7? How much tutoring would we need to do to get into a private school at 7?
What would you chose to do in our position in terms of the two places offered and why? (Assume money is not a factor in the decision.)
(We are already struggling with the ethics of private school, so please, we donâ??t need to hear any thoughts on that subject!)
Thanks.