Was going private worth the money?

[wisecamel]

Hi, I'm wondering whether it's worth going back to work in order to send DD (9) to a private secondary. She's quite bright, but no genius, has mild dyslexia and loves swimming, which she is talented at for her age.

No-one in my family or DH's has ever done this for their DCs, but I am tempted as I can tell which of my friends has been privately educated: they tend to have a kind of easy confidence which I would love to have myself and would certainly like my DC to have if possible.

We couldn't afford to pay loads, but probably could go to £15K per year if I returned to work, bearing in mind DS is two years younger so we'd need to do the same for him.

If you've put your DC through private school, do you honestly think it was worth it, not just for academic reasons?

Therein the way to madness lies!!!!

Br kind to yourself, woman, it's not a crime not to be able to afford private school...or if it is, dem jails are going to be overflowing .

You need to work with what you've got - a bright girl and motivated parents.

Just start drip feeding as much info as you can about academically able girls who have done well in life. Anyone you can muster up in real life as well as famous folk your DD admires.

Is she involved in other things where children give it their all. Mine do a lot of sport, music and drama and they are all full of kids doing their level best to succeed ...it's contagious, I think.

Chin up. My Mum made Tiger Mother look tame

She likes her drama club. Ok will try and think positive.

There are two private schools in our city who have the ethos on their website that is so EXACTLY what I want for my girls that it just kills me though

IMO what private education gives is confidence. Its the assemblies and the general talk- "You are well-educated, there are few who have had the chances you have here, you should be confident, you are as good as the best"
Of course this depends on the school.
Plus teachers in private schools often have to do lots of extracurricular that really benefits the students, broadens their horizons and lets them go to good placs with good people so they don't have awe and wonder at lots of new things, but have confidence as they have experienced them. (e.g. foreign travel, debates. top unis, sporting competitions, great speakers and museums etc etc etc)
Remember cost is not just fees but all the trips.
State schools can provide this but teachers do have more students overall to deal with, do not get extra money for trips etc, or energy- so there's usually less of this going on.
Definitely try and pick an academic school- if you start her NOW then you may avoid the Y7 entry exam- you mentioned dyslexia in OP.

the important thing to remember is that there are no guarantees. Plenty of children get the opportunity of private schooling but don't get the rewards.....proceed with caution and just try to assess which school would suit your child best, it may not be the private one!

northernlurjer if she likes her drama then that is good.

Drama clubs are usually full of kids who want to do well. They learn their lines and try to be the best they can be. They could be with their mates moaning or endlessly posting on FB...but they're not.

Also, start mentioning to her the names of some seriously clever actors.
Emily Watson.
Natalie Portman.
Lily Cole.
Helena Bonham Carter.

All straight A students.