I love DD's Good state primary!

[tennisracquet]

That's all I wanted to say!

The teachers are so lovely, the school dinners are nice, my DD loves it, the children are by and large all gorgeous, it's so safe and calm and well organised!

I don't have anything else to say but I just wanted to have a counter balance for all the hectic "which private school should I get my child into?" threads.

My experience is that state primary schools are wonderful!

(NB I am in inner London so I know we are not as badly affected with school cuts as some others are)

I really like my children's school and more impo they love it. Such a huge number of enrichment activities, choirs, orchestras, sports teams, visits from. Authors scientist, musicians, arts festivals, trips, concerts. That's in the last 2 weeks!

I agree! I can’t see the value of a private prep! We couldn’t be happier with our child’s state school and they love it. Most of the children I know at private prep are pushed so hard academically they don’t enjoy school all that much.

I loved my local state school. The year my daughter joined reception, the local system changed to a two tier from a three tier which meant it went from a PAN of 60 to 30. Combined with a bulge year the year prior (taking it to a PAN of 90) it meant four siblings didn’t get a place let alone the child who lived next door.

We were allocated a school in special measures too far to walk to with no direct public transport routes but not far enough away to get free transport.

This is the reality for many children in the private sector - they don’t get even the option of a great state school.

I am genuinely happy for those who get great schools. It just breaks my heart that those who don’t and can’t afford private get the short straw. A lot of people in private would be happy to go to state schools if they were all great. Sadly they are not.

Many primary schools are good and outstanding. The few that are not, do cause problems. If you have a great local school, and London schools have historically had nearly 2x the money per pupil than my LA pupil spend, there is everything to celebrate.

Hooray, hooray ... voice of reason.

State primary schools can be wonderful. And not.
Ditto any school, independent or state.

I'm really glad your dc are getting a fab education, decent food and are happy. I just wish everyone were as lucky. The schools local to us are a seriously mixed bag, not just in terms of academics but other challenges like behaviour, english as 2nd3rd language, buildings built for 350 pupils and school has been expanded to 650 etc etc. Our nearest (but not catchment) school has a wonderful little nursery/reception deprtment in an old victorian school that is well thought of, but the main primary is mostly dilapidated 'temporary' buildings (around since late 80s when I was at school round here) with less than average achievement and much muttering amongst parents. So it can even vary within a school?

I don't really understand all the funding changes, but I'm sure there will always be better/worse schools, whatever criteria you are judging on!

Another here that absolutely loves our Primary school! I think a very active PTA and a feeder pre school on site (so you have friends before you even start!) play a big part. And a wonderful, kind, inspirational headteacher.

We love our state 'requires improvements' school. A billion times better than our previous 'outstanding' one.
So caring, understanding, and their behaviour management is top bloody notch