My DS is at what used to be a great outstanding primary school in London. Both my older DDs went through this school and we all loved it. However, a couple of years ago the Headteacher changed and the new Head seems to be destroying the school. Most (I'm not joking - over 15) teachers have left over the last two years and I've heard that many support staff left too. She is very unpopular, doesn't communicate with the parents or teachers, there is now no structure, no communication at all about what children do at school (we used to have weekly or biweekly letters from the teacher in the past). There is almost no homework while there used to be regular weekly homework. The new teachers she is hiring are very young, often on their first job, inexperienced and clearly scared of her. Most emails sent to the school office or the Headteacher (regardless of the topic) remain unaswered, meetings get cancelled, almost all nonessential SEN support has been removed (although it doesn't relate to my DS I feel shocked by this). However, most importantly, my DS is very bored (he is in Y3) and has grown to dislike the school. He is very bright but, although he is ahead in maths (according to his teacher), he is not pushed and does only basic maths exercises with the rest of the class.
My dilemma is - we may have a chance to move to a great local private primary for next year, where I know some parents and lovely kids. We can just about manage it financially but it will be a stretch. The school is known to be very nurturing and gets kids into some great secondary schools.
Has anyone made a similar move and, if yes, was it all you were hoping for? Was the teaching indeed much better and the 11+ transition much easier? Also - considering we are financially ok but not rich, would it be a problem? I hate the idea of him beginning to feel that we have "less", that his house is smaller than other people's houses, sad that we don't go skiing or have 5 holidays per year etc. I want him to get the best education and be inspired, I don't want him to start hating the school as he seems to be these days... but I also like the social mix a state school offers and the fact that not all our friends are priviledged. So I'm very torn... I can see the benefits but I also fear the cons. Also, is it true that everyone still tutors for 11+ even in private schools? If yes, what does the private really offer?