Private Primary - are you glad you chose it?

[Needmorewine]

State schools in our area are fine but not great. Oversubscribed, large classes, not great wraparound care. A lot of people are SAHM and make up for any shortcomings at home, but that won't be an option as I will be working FT (not just to fund private school - I want to work anyway!) We have found a lovely nurturing independent school for DD. DH salary pays mortgage, bills, - mine will go half on school fees. We will still be better off than we are now (currently a student!) but it feels like a huge commitment. Before we bite the bullet and put our deposit down I wanted to ask for some experiences of private primary and if you are/were happy with the end result. We're not doing it specifically to get into grammar, I don't even know if she will be a particularly academic, but I want somewhere nurturing and where she will be happy and I worry so much she will get lost in a class of 30+ (she is quite timid). The independent class sizes are 14. Any advice gratefully received!

Thank you claire I appreciate that.

Hmmm I think I would thank them for bringing it to my notice and then just try and make a real point of bringing that child to the forefront a bit - calling on them in class, giving them a specific job like the water monitor or something ? Trying to get a bit of 1:1 reading in, double checking they were happy and settled at break/lunch, making the TA aware as well - then ask the parent how they felt things were going in a couple of weeks?

I'm glad your DS is enjoying his time in reception, I think that's the year group I would eventually like to teach

We have chosen state primary and intend to move to private at secondary level. My view was that I wanted my DC to get to know children from all walks of life and be comfortable and flexible with different backgrounds and cultures. My DC are in reception and Y3 currently and thriving at their CofE single form entry school. The eldest (DD) takes part in 4 clubs at school and also does 2 further clubs outside school. She is doing extremely well academically and the teachers at her school are incredibly dedicated and passionate about ensuring each child being challenged to do their best.

I don't quite know yet how we will manage the transition to private later, but I am pretty certain that spending money on private just now at primary level would be a complete waste.

I do think that most people think long and hard about their choices, so all being broadly well, they will say their choice is the right one - making this kind of thread a bit tricky. You have to do what's right for you and your child, and only you can make those choices.

I think based on the finances you've described, you might find paying all the way through a real struggle.

In your situation, I would start off with a state school. Teaching is a tough job which is very hard on family life. Most of the primary teachers I know who have young children work part time. Independent education from the start will give you much less flexibility in terms of your own work - you will effectively spend most of your life for the next 14 years working to pay for school fees. You won't to able to afford other children.

If you already had a few years of teaching under your belt, I think would be in a much better position to decide whether or not the school was worth that amount of your time.