Children at private school, still wonder if it is the right thing though.

[whizzylala]

Hello,
I hope this is not an annoying thread for people.
After much deliberation we decided to go for prep for my DD who is now in Yr1 - she was way ahead at reception entry and the primary school teacher wanted her to miss out on reception and go straight to Yr 1 as she said she would be bored - she is a feb birthday and I did not feel this was a good solution, so opted to go private.
DS joined her at the school in the foundation class this september.
I love the school, they are both doing well and are very happy but I just get these niggles about whether it is worth all the money. We can afford the fees at the moment with a few dacrifices, but I do just think about all that money and what else we could do with it one day!
All our friends children are at primaries (not the one ours would go to) and there children sound equally happy. I know it is not all about academic achievement and part of what I love about their school is so many great facilities and opportunities. My DD is also beginning to level out with her peers in many areas of her learning now - good job she stayed in the right class.
Any thoughts, I just feel a bit confused right now! (Would be applying for reception for DS this week so I think that is what has got me thinking!)
Thanks for reading.
Whiz

Whizz I haven't read the whole thread, but this is my view, which is based on dd in y1 at local infant school, and ds, who is in reception at private school.

At this age, I can barely distinguish the difference in fee paying and not, in terms of the quality of teaching. Both schools my dcs are at are very good, but really, if I'm honest, there's not a huge amount in it. Where ds' school adds value, is, in the small class sizes, the 650 acres of run around space, and the different things he tries. DD will eventually go there when she leaves infants, but honestly, there's not much in it at this age.

What worries me about dd being in a class size of 31, is that as an averagely good, hitting all the marks, compliant child, she gets a bit left out, as she is neither extremely bright or naughty. For me - this is the main thing with a smaller fee-paying school, but this clearly isn't the same for everyone, as every child is different.

Smee I take your point, the teachers at our old state primary certainly did seem more wordly wise, had lives of their own etc
However they also had affairs with the fathers of the children, were more interested in their own interests (teaching the kids line dancing twice a week as PE), so dull quite suits me for the primary years.

I do think they need more inspiration in senior school and I pray mine get into a good state one, ideally with a Robin Williams from the dead poet society type taking them for every lesson.

millymoo, I think that happens in both sectors. I have a rather badly behaved friend who has daughters at a private school and he's been let's just say indiscrete with a teacher or two. Maybe they're not so dull after all then...