My village is lucky enough to have an independent school, very low fees (just cleaning, lunches etc) and also an academy state primary (not sure in terminology but it's not a CofE, instead part of a network of academy primarys in the area).
Main primary - pretty big and diverse, has a lovely preschool, according to parents of kids there if you're child is sociable and switched on they do well, if they are shyer or need a lot of support they can get lost a bit and often end up in the next village school which is much smaller. Obviously follows the national curriculum.
Independent primary - still very academic focussed with great results, big on being outside as much as possible, teaching life skills, very active and big focus on physical and mental health. My DD couldn't go until she was 5 so would have to do pre school and reception in main primary then move to independent for year one, presumably with a few other kids who will have to do the same.
I'm due to go view them both soon, but generally what are people's experiences with independents? My DD is my first so it's all new to me!
Background on my DD if it helps, no sen indicators, very sociable, active and is clever for her age, would probably be fine in either school tbh. She gardens weekly with my mum and myself, cooks with me etc and loves it so does like to be involved in "life"