Moving from state to private in year 8

[isteaready]

I will try and keep this post short although the story goes back a long way. DD3 is in year 8. DD1 and DD2 both went to a brilliant grammar and are now both at good Unis. DD3 didnt get into the grammar and has been at the local average comp (results 52% A-C at GCSE)the last year and a bit.

We have accepted this although we have some issues with the children's behaviour and are not overly happy with some of the teaching, our DD seems to be coasting, hasn't made much progress and often dosen't have homework or it isn't marked. The school is huge, 300 per year group and covers a wide catchment, it's lost out recently to a more popular comp a mile away that has better results but is impossible to get into unless you live on it's doorstep, we went on the waiting list but didn't climb higher than 59.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago. Lovely Mother in Law others to pay for DD3 to go to private school!!! We have a lovely girls school a short bus ride away that would suit our DD down to the ground and offer her amazing opportunities. They have a vacancy in year 8 and would like DD3 to sit some entrance exams and have an interview.

We now have to decide whether to put our daughter through this process knowing she a) may not get through the exams (she didn't pass the 11 plus) and hence not get offered the place and b) have to explain why we want her to move schools when she might have to stay at her current school anyway. She does have some nice friends and is happy at her school but we don't feel she is currently having the same opportunities and standard of education as her sisters.

We need to decide within the next few days. Just realised the post is huge, sorry, please be kind, it's my first one.

[Marni23]

That's fantastic news. Good luck to her in her new school. And really sorry about your Mum x

[teta]

I moved my dd from state to private this year in year 9.I really wish i had done it earlier.The difference between the two is absolutely astounding.The one thing my dd has said is thet they are not all brilliant at the new school.However they do try to get the very best out of their pupils by adding value.Something state comps don't seem to do.So don't worry your daughter will settle in fine and ultimately will achieve better results.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

Teta, that may be true of some state school comps but please try to avoid sweeping, generalised statements.

ours is excellent and works really hard to add value, I'm just sorry you happen to live in an area where that is not the case.

[teta]

Gosh,Shipwrecked are you a teacher?.You obviously feel you need to reprimand me!.No, i believe some state school are very good but my local experience has not been positive sadly.

[Moominmammacat]

Good for you ... I went to a school full of fights etc etc and it was just misery for seven years. Hope it all goes well ... lucky child and lucky you too.

[Iamnotminterested]

Agreeing with ShipwreckedAndComatose - a fellow Red Dwarf fan, methinks, we are few and far between - that soooo many people on MN preach the state school bad/private school good shite; yes, a different school may be better for her but that different school may just be state?

[Zeusrules]

So glad you have had good news for your DD.

I've followed the same path and am thrilled with how easily my DD has settled and how much she loves it. Just wish my MIL was paying!