Independent vs State school

[hellogg87]

Hi there. My family is moving from the US to the UK in a few months, and we are trying to decide what kind of school we want our children to attend. My oldest will be starting Reception this year. We have the opportunity to send her to any independent school in the Gloucester area, which will be funded by my husband's employer. Are there any major benefits to sending her to an independent school vs a local state school? I am unfamiliar with the schooling system over there and I'd like to hear different perspectives. What kind of differences can I expect?

The main difference ime although I am very far away from where you'll be is that private schools have a bit more freedom to resist the ever changing requirements imposed on them and to manage the teaching crisis we're currently experiencing

Generally classes are smaller in private schools and some have a specific ethos eg Montessori. The downside is the catchment will be very wide so not as likely to have local friends and they will only mix with wealthy kids (middle income families generally wait until secondary to go private if at all).

But be aware, just because it's fee paying it doesn't guarantee quality - no idea on schools near where you will be but here some of the private primaries aren't brilliant, do look at local school guides and ask about.

Thank you!

You have missed the applications deadline for state school reception places for Sept 19, so you would be allocated a place from what is left after all on-time applicants have their offer. That might mean a school that you don't much like, and which is not terribly convenient for your new home.

There is something to be said for taking the private place and researching state schools and joining waiting lists once you are here.

The differences between specific schools may be quite variable. Private preps tend to have smaller class sizes and more TAs, more specialist teaching, better facilities, less subordination to governmental diktat, more sport and more music.

You also need to think about what you think are the most important parts of schooling. And then see which schools (either sector) in your new area come closest.

Some state schools are very good and you have a great experience there, while others are not at all. Private school is less of a risk, in the sense that it may not be better than a very good state school, but it will definitely be better than a dire state school. As you're moving from abroad without the benefit of local knowledge, it would probably make sense not to take the risk. Especially if someone else is paying! The only problem is if the funding may stop in future (eg if your husband changes jobs) - would have to pull the DC out? Or would you be able to finance it yourselves in that scenario?

If someone has a job with a company that will pay school fees as part of a relocation package, they are not in a junior role! They are undoubtedly in a senior role and are a valued employee. I have been aware of Australian families who had this considerable perk and their children came to our prep.

Honestly, go to a private school. Look at The Tatler magazine list or The Good Schiols Guide for the best schools. Also, Gloucester itself is not a hot area for schools. The best independent schools are mostly in the Cotswolds towns and Bristol area so think about where you might live regarding getting to school.

Who said he was in a junior role? I don't understand the relevance of that bit.

Flag fish makes a useful point. Just because OP is in a senior role and well respected it doesn't mean that they can't lose their job or that they can necessarily afford full fees if they do.

Private usually a lot better for wraparound care which will be very useful if you're planning to work as well.

Independent schools vary massively. Some are academic hothouses trying to get good "leavers destinations", others are much more laid back and can afford to be as they don't have the same restrictions in terms of syllabus and testing as state schools. Most have a bit more focus on music and drama than state schools and better facilities. Most have smaller class sizes.

Independent schools tend to have much larger catchment areas so there will be less walking to school together and popping into each other's houses for a bit after school than you might get at state schools. They're also more relaxed about time off during term time. State schools usually won't allow it. Most private schools are very relaxed about a mayor even a week here or there.

Obviously state schools will have a more diverse intake with parents with all kinds of professions and level of income. Private schools will be more narrow in that respect (this has both positive and negative aspects).

After school care is usually much more flexible in independent schools - e.g. you can ring up on the day and have them in until 6 in my local state schools the after school clubs are booked up months in advance.

I would be suspicious of good results from selective independent schools as some tend to select out pupils who aren't going to perform. This means they can achieve impressive results through selection as opposed to good teaching. I would check what each school's policy is on homework so that it matches your expectations. (This isn't an issue of state Vs private it's just a question of the individual school).

An obvious consideration is that you can't apply of a state school until you have an address in the area. If that isn't going to be by the deadline (January the year before they start) you'll have to make an in year application and any popular state schools will then be full and you'll have to accept places where ever they are available.
Obviously private schools don't require this - a terms fees secures the place.

Independent schools have longer holidays, so that will have to be factored into your child care if both of you are working. Holiday clubs tend to be based in state schools so only operate state school holidays.

Our school runs its own holiday club

I really appreciate all the feedback here. Lots to consider. I think my primary concern is that if we end up living 20-30 minutes from the school that we won't have good community with fellow parents and students, as mentioned above. However, we would have to submit an in-year application for state school so it's likely we won't get the school we want and we'd be driving her a bit anyway. The schools in the area we are moving to are notoriously oversubscribed.

In the UK kids in independent schools generally do around 30min- 1hour 30 mins sport every day. I the state sector they are lucky to an hour a week.

I found that despite driving to independent schools there was much more of a community feel than when at state school. I have experience of 3. There were organised coffee meet ups per year group and other arranged events. Parents could attend sports fixtures and match teas etc. My friends with kids at state school hardly were aware when they had fixtures. So don't worry that there will not be a social side for parents/kids etc.

StealthPolarBear: I was referring to a remark made by a poster that funding may stop. Unlikely if you are in a senior role. Every parent paying for education might end up with no job. You work it out or go state. It’s no reason not to go private in the first place.

I would echo that prep schools do have a social side. Also you will have to factor in time to travel to see friends, but you do it. Some state school parents can be cliquey. If your local schools are full, you won’t get in. You will be travelling out of area anyway for somewhere you probably won’t want.

In some areas it's not just the odd top state school that's oversubscribed, it's most of them. In-year applications severely restricted your state school options.

Talk to the LEA admissions team who will be able to give you up to date data and help you understand the admissions criteria. It's usually in-catchment distance from school that governs the waiting list. Places do free up but they tend to go to the child who lives closest, and siblings / looked after children will get precedence over others.

I'm very keen on state schooling. I was privately educated myself but my children are doing well in excellent state schools and I really value many, many things about their schooling. I like the fact that they are subject to governments "diktats" - the powers of the head are limited and they can't just chuck you out if they think you are difficult. But arguments will always be made either way. Those who choose to pay for education are, of course, going to think private is better than state or they wouldn't pay for it.

However I don't think that the choice you have before you has much to do with those pros and cons. It's just pragmatic. If you are unlikely to secure places at good state schools then you need to be looking to private schools. It's much like choosing whether you go for a religious or secular school IMO - you make your choice, for better or worse, then you just have to roll with the various pros and cons that come along with that. With in-year admissions, I don't think you have the luxury of putting all your eggs in the state school basket. Get them into a private school, and if you want to hedge your bets, pick a house location close to a good state school (after checking admissions criteria) and go on the waiting list. You can always turn the place down if it's offered.

The number of children who are excluded from primary school is now huge so Heads do throw out children. Often unjustly and because they have SEN. Some State schools are certainly not as inclusive as they might be.

@SerendipityReally This is an extremely helpful comment. Thank you for giving me this perspective. I like the idea of going the independent school route to start with, and then trying to locate into a good catchment so we have the state school option someday.

Ah thanks OP - I'm impressed if you managed to read the whole thing :)

If you end up drip feeding children into state schools you may find school transport or organisation of your mornings becomes a nightmare. Independent schools often start earlier than state so unless you are very organised, this will present problems if they don’t all get into the school at the same time. However if you want a particular school, live there ASAP. Any DC going to school will start to make friends. You could end up with a messy split if you take them away and presumably you might not stay in the uk anyway. Therefore it could be messy all round. I assume this is why your DH is given money for education - to prevent this problem and make it easy for you and particularly your children. Why not just take it and be grateful?

I think most issues have been covered already, but can I mention that there are "local boards" on here where you might be able to get feedback on the private schools in the local area round Gloucester.

Evelyn Waugh famously parodied private schools by having his imaginary teachers' agency categorise them as "leading school, good school and school." You want to avoid the ones Waugh would have classed as "school" - there are a significant proportion of private schools in the UK which exist solely to pander to parents' snobbery. The good ones (leaving aside ideological issues) can be very good indeed, but the bad ones will be worse than your local state primary.

This is a well known independent in Gloucester.
www.thekingsschool.co.uk