Private education from Reception

[PretendingToBePosh]

My (eldest) DS is currently 2.5 and we are starting to think about preschool/reception for him.

DH grew up relatively wealthy and went to private school when he was small but for various reasons then went into the state school system for secondary school.

I did not grow up in a wealthy house and was educated in the state system throughout.

DH and I both did well at school and have never felt that we were at a disadvantage in our careers.

We are in the fortunate financial position that we can now afford to put DS (and later down the line his brother) into private school from reception. This isn't something that I had ever considered for my children - if I am honest probably because of some sort of reverse snobbery.

We live close to Cransley school and a neighbour sends their (high school aged) child there which is what has brought it to our attention. We have (very briefly) looked into it and the facilities are unsurprisingly much, much better than the local primary school that I had planned for DS to go to.

We are now talking about all of the benefits you usually think of - smaller class sizes, early intervention if it was needed, great access to sport etc etc and it is making me question whether it might be worthwhile.

There is a huge part of me though that feels that it is just ridiculous to send a 4 year old to a fee paying school when he is essentially going to be there to learn the most basic things! Part of me wonders whether it is something to reconsider when he is older but then I also like the thought of him going to the same school all the way through from 4-16.

I'm just looking for some wisdom really from those who've gone before me - what would you do/what did you do, and with the benefit of hindsight was it the right choice?

Thank you!

State until 8 then see how it's going and decide if it's time to move or not. Great to have the option of private but unless you are loaded, the child have SEN or the local state is particularly bad it's probably not worth it at age 4.

We have decided to stick with our local school for now for my 7 year old (year 3) as she's happy and thriving. If she wasn't we'd go private and probably will do for secondary but waiting to see what happens to fees if labour get in.....

I think that's a bit of a sweeping generalisation! There are lots of amazing state primaries and secondaries around ( and some rubbish private schools).

My sons are in a private prep school - only because we are teachers in the linked senior school and get a shopping discount.

I am SO delighted. They absolutely love it and are in tiny classes. Capped at 15, but actually currently 12 or 13! My 5 year old has ADHD and is a handful but the school are working with us and he is making miraculous progress. Their SEN provision isn't great, but the small classes and individual attention make up for it. I am astonished at the progress he is making. He reads to his teacher every single day and brings home a new book every night. I get the impression he's below average for the class, yet he is reading well, blending confidently, writing sentences (and his maths is amazing, although I don't think that's down to the school). Thr parents are lovely and, although clearly quite affluent, not stuck-up; the majority are working professionals and some, like us, are struggling to manage fees. If ypu can comfortably afford it, and you genuinely think the school is much better than the alternative, why not. Investment in our kids' futures is the best thing money can buy.

• whopping, not shopping! 😆