What would you do…

[ConflictedLondon]

My DD is starting reception in September. We live in London with two possible options.

1. Excellent private school, about 10 min drive away. Girls only. All through school so no need for 11+ etc. Excellent academic results, small class size and 2 per year, brand new junior school and loads of extra curriculars incl pool etc
2. state primary. A few streets up from us, recently downgraded to good from outstanding although lots of political debate around that. Much bigger school at 4 form, 30 kids in a class and boy/girl mixed. Always really positive feedback from parents with kids who go there.

My DD can be anxious and shy and generally does better in smaller groups with more 1:1 attention. We obviously feel the private is a better fit but are concerned about the logistics of it being a drive away and also the financial commitment for so long. We are mortgage free, 275k joint income so doable but perhaps pulling back on lavish holidays etc.

What would you do?!

The state school. A few streets away and a good school is a winner. I wouldn't worry about it being downgraded, the new ofsted framework is harsher.

Do private if you want private, but that state sounds like it would be a good fit for your daughter.

We are in London and chose a nearby prep. We moved closer to the school within a year as we support the benefits of a local school - it's now a 5 min walk away, and dds have more time to chill after school and has lots of local friends. Class sizes have been 12-14 and that has been really nurturing. I wouldn't want to commit to driving to school for the next 14 years.

You’re forgetting that a child will not get excellent academic results if they are not already academically excellent!

£275k joint income and no mortgage? I don’t think you’ll be having to cut back on lavish holidays 😂

Also, are you sure there’s no 11+? Several of the all through schools I know in London still require kids to sit the 11+.

In your shoes, the private school is a no brainer. With your salaries and mortgage free status, you’ll hardly notice the fees. State schools are in a shocking state due to chronic under funding.

State school.
We opted for State Primary and Private Secondary and it was the right decision.
I had a quite and shy DD who I thought would do better in a smaller group but she thrived at her 3 class entry large mixed primary.

I'd go for the private primary. We weren't in the position to send our DDs to private primary from reception, but have moved DD2 for year 5. Her state primary was Ofsted "good" and I was a governor, so understood the context. The contrast is striking. Specialist teachers, excellent facilities, smaller classes, lots of extra curricular activities, they all add up to a much more enjoyable and engaging experience. There aren't any disruptive children (sorry if that offends anyone) and mild SEND is much better catered for as the SENDCO isn't firefighting and battling the LA for the children with really significant need. My only concern with going for all through private schooling is that children who have only experienced private schooling sometimes don't realise how privileged they are. My DD1 moved to private for secondary school and she is very engaged and appreciative, but thinks that some of her peers aren't.

What I always say is that when we sent ds at 8, in the 00's the fees were about £8k. When he left aged 18 they were about £20/£21k. Factor in 10% for extras.

If that's OK, go for the private prep.