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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

private to state dilemma

20 replies

peppansalt · 08/10/2015 22:30

2 years ago we moved DCs from a state primary to a local non- selective private school. Our main reasons were that DS was struggling massively (since diagnosed dyslexic) and he is now thriving being in tiny classes.

Our dilemma is what to do regarding secondary education as he is in Yr 6. He could stay at his current school (up to yr11) or we move him to our catchment secondary school. It is a 'free' school and only has about 500 pupils so still quite small. DS has lots of friends there so should be fine socially but I'm worried about his academic development.

We had a tour of the school yesterday and were very impressed with the facilities, teachers and pupils. Also liked what the 'learning support' teachers said and how DS would be supported. Have also talked to lots of other parents who all have good things to report. As an aside the school has great facilities, ironically far superior to their current school.

So it all looks promising but am paranoid about making the right decision. We could just about afford to keep DS in private so cost isn't the main driver, but I don't want to move him (especially as he's already moved once) and soon realise we've made a huge mistake.

Can anyone offer any advice or similar story? We will make an appointment to meet with the Head - what questions do I need to be asking to ensure DS will get the right support and not left to sink?

OP posts:

Allyoucaneat · 08/10/2015 22:35

Have you thought about asking your DS what he would like to do? Did he also visit the free school? He's old enough to be involved in the decision.

Original poster

peppansalt · 08/10/2015 22:39

Yes we took him on the tour and he really liked it, although it was in the evening so not a 'real life', bustling with noisy kids, experience.

Do really want to involve him in the decision making process but feel that me and DH have to be very clear on whether this school is ultimately the best place for him.

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Leeds2 · 08/10/2015 22:47

I am assuming from your post that you have at least 2 children? Can you realistically afford to keep them all in primary throughout secondary school?

CookieDoughKid · 08/10/2015 22:52

I would take your chance and let him go to a state school. You can always pull him out if it doesn't work out. Save your fees for when you really need it. 13+ entry is always an option at senior private schools and that would be a good time to enter if needbe.

Original poster

peppansalt · 08/10/2015 22:52

Yes 2 DCs; also have younger DD at same school.

We could just about afford to see them through to yr11 although would be a really tight squeeze. But regardless of fees or no fees we just want DS to be at the best school for him.

OP posts:

Original poster

peppansalt · 08/10/2015 22:56

Cookie must admit that has entered my head that we could move him back if it didn't work out. But am also worried that it is a rather negative premise to take which runs the risk of us whipping him out at the slightest sign of trouble.

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WildStallions · 09/10/2015 08:37

If you think he's thriving BECAUSE of the tiny classes then you have to keep paying for his education.

If however you feel that he'd now be able to thrive on a class of 25 or 30 (set or not set?) then you can move him.

Original poster

peppansalt · 09/10/2015 09:33

That's the thing Stallions, he certainly didn't thrive in a primary class of 25 while he was in state school. However part of me feels that was due to poor leadership and a large turnover of staff.

This new school seems to be saying all the right things and says DS will get all the support he needs. That bring the case, he should thrive and be able to cope with the bigger classes.

But part of me doesn't want to take the risk that it doesn't work out

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cressetmama · 09/10/2015 13:01

Late summer-born DS was in private education to Y9, in two different schools, and after lots of parental prodding for explanation of his underperformance, was diagnosed as having exceptionally weak visual processing, but otherwise deemed fairly bright.

For non-cost reasons we moved him for GCSE and he has since moved again, both within the state sector. His first comprehensive was massive and opened his eyes to the full spectrum of abilities and behaviours that exist. However, his organisation skills have improved with age and he seems to be coping well in a new STEM specialist college. The learning support in the state system appears better than in most private schools as far as I know, simply because it has to be. In your shoes, I don't know and wouldn't presume....

anotherbusymum14 · 09/10/2015 16:41

If you can afford it, I would keep him there. At least he knows everyone and everything and you won't change much of his environment. Personally I would keep him where everything remains familiar and to what he knows, and at least he knows the teachers, and they know him. We have moved schools and what I've seen is it takes time for teachers and a school community to get to know your child. If you have this in place why change it. And the last thing you want is any change impacting his learning. If his friends move he can always keep up with them outside of school and make new friends in his current school. I don't mean to sound negative but if he's happy and comfortable why change it. Unless you need to move him for financial reasons then at least you know at the state school he will have friends, and it seems like a good state school (as yoy say), at the very least. Personally though, I'd stay put. He is known where he is, and that's a great start to learning.

TalkinPeece · 09/10/2015 18:11

State secondaries (particularly of the comp variety) have huge departments devoted to pastoral care so will have support staff for every permutation
the bigger the school the better chance

Original poster

peppansalt · 09/10/2015 19:09

All very good arguments

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Foxyloxy1plus1 · 09/10/2015 21:15

Why not ask to visit the free school during the day, so you can see it during the normal working day. Any school worth it's salt would be happy to let you see that. If they demur, alarm bells may begin to tinkle!

Toooldforthat · 09/10/2015 21:51

I have a very similar dilemma. DD is in a private school in year 6 that goes on to year 13. She has high functioning autism and sky high anxiety levels. She likes her current school as it is familiar but they are truly rubbish at SEN. They keep putting pressure on DD who is extremely well behaved and above average academically and they don't see that she is really anxious. I am having to pick up the pieces at home. I have the option to move her to a fantastic state school with amazing SEN provisions, but it is 3 times the size, co-ed, big classrooms, I really don't know what to do.

TalkinPeece · 09/10/2015 21:57

Round here there is a flow between private and state : there is minimal financial difference at the top 25% of the state schools
so its an academic choice

middling kids do better at the small private schools
all other kids do better at the differentiated big state schools

you are rarely aware of the actual size of a state school unless you happen are mad enough to be outside the gate at kicking out time

state schools have to cope with all comers and cannot exclude so cope
the budgets are much smaller
but the resilience is higher

Original poster

peppansalt · 10/10/2015 09:59

Thanks for all replies. There are open mornings at the potential school next week where parents can view it in action. We will go and hopefully that will give us a truer picture of what actually happens.

It is a free, academy school so am naively optimistic that they have more scope to manage their budget and will therefore be better able to support children with SEN.

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Original poster

peppansalt · 10/10/2015 10:29

TooOld, you're situation sounds very similar to ours although from the other angle.

DS has 2, 30 minute 1:1 lessons per week (maths and literacy) and by virtue of being in a class of 12 gets lots of in class support. It is all very nurturing and low key though and I do wonder if he is being pushed enough. The state school gave me the impression they try to encourage independence with SEN and give more in class support, opposed to 1:1 lessons

OP posts:

Luna9 · 10/10/2015 11:12

If he is happy and thriving where he is I would not move him; however if your other DC don't have any particular need I would move them to state later on if money is tight

jeee · 10/10/2015 11:14

At the very least apply for the school - you don't necessarily have to take the place, but it gives you several more months before you have to come to any final decision.

AnotherCider · 12/10/2015 10:02

If he needs the 1:1 lessons in the private school, I really don't think you should be moving him into the State Sector.

DS1 is in a private school, I honestly don't think he'd cope well in the only State School that is available to us as an option.

He still struggles at times and is offered amazing support in his classes in a way which I know the State sector wouldn't be able to help - but he doesn't struggle enough to warrant the 1:1 lessons which I know other students have. Needing 1:1 is another level of assistance.

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