Private school

[Looneytune253]

Has anyone ever looked into sending their child to a private school? My daughter is 12 and really not getting what she needs at the local comp. She's extremely intelligent (predicted all 9s and 8s for gcse) and she got one mark from full marks on her y6 sats). Wondering if it would be worth it to apply to a private school for a bursary? Theres an excellent school with an open day next saturday. I'm worried about her fitting in? The school shes in at the minute shes more than the black sheep in class and no one takes their work seriously and are continuously picking on her. We are in talks at the moment about moving classes but they are very reluctant. We also viewed a local technical school (but they have a specialisation in STEM which is what she would need for her future career. This is a free academy but the academic results aren't great. Does anyone have any advice?

[DriftingDreamer]

Interesting..
My child at school with very small % of high ability- year 7.
However, predicted to get 8/9 in all subjects at present. Not going under radar at all. Yes, behaviour issues but get impression not unusual in most secondary schools and especially year 7.
I make good use of email contact with tutor and Head of House and am made to feel welcome to talk.
Find is stretched in mixed ability classes at moment as school so used to teaching to wide spectrum.
Be careful about removing if your dd will do well at current school and is happy. Just talk more to school...

[bojorojo]

State grammars rarely have places available for y8. I would try for the independent. Grunge won't sit too well I would have thought but in her spare time it won't matter. They will have uniform rules and will apply them.

However the advantages should outweigh any concerns. My children loved music, drama and dance. Others at the school were able to pursue sport and art to a high level. These subjects are often overlooked in state schools now. She will find a variety of clubs which help to extend her knowledge and flourish.

Scholarships don't have much value attached these days and you will have missed deadlines. Bursaries might be available for Y9 entry.

[user1491148352]

Look into the bursary options - but don't be surprised if they only offer 25 % - 50% reduction.
Few private schools are in a position to offer 100% bursaries - which basically makes a mockery of the idea that bursaries allow access to poorer families.
If you have a state grammar in the area this is likely to have more clever children than a local private school.

[user1489830224]

Hi Looneytune253. If you can get the money sorted, go for it. The indep sch should really give you a good academic scholarship award for such a bright child. Smaller classes, better language, music and sport opportunities will be the norm and she will never look back. But be sure to emphasise to the school that you will need great financial help. If they are not able to help look around at other indep schools, there are many out there giving 100% financial awards. The very best of luck.

[GooseyLoosey]

Unless it is a pretty snobby school, she should fit in whatever her socio-economic background. Kids will start with who she is rather than what she has. Did is at an independent school and the most popular girl in year 7 was there on a full bursary. Good luck with finding somewhere for your dd.

[iseenodust]

We choose independent primarily for the academic offer. eg our catchment school only offers double science, only two languages (from the start not just as GCSE choice). The bonus is the range of additional activities, sports, speakers etc. DS could possibly have done some of these activities at the state school but he would not have volunteered. At the independent there is a sense they are all known as individuals and going under the radar is not an option. There's also a free after school homework club until 5.30pm !

DS's school has lots of children from modest backgounds. Another one here from Yorkshire where the fees are less eye-watering. Some of DS's friends' parents work in the NHS, for the police, as teachers (in state schools) or have their own businesses. Not many big businesses more of the plumber, taxi-driver variety.

Your DD will settle in. Grungy will find grungy ! I sometimes give a lift to a girl who describes herself as Emo & loves design technology. The big trips such as skiing are entirely optional and many do not go.

[Sillysausages007]

DD going to start independent secondary in September at an academically selective school. For us the choice is about so much more than the outstanding results - it's the confidence that the school instils, the opportunities, the clubs, the variety. All much more than our local state school could.

Your comment about a grungy DD made me laugh too - that describes our DD to a T. We are middle income earners, but she mixes with DC of very famous sports stars, politicians and various other "celebrities". There are a few that are very obviously wealthy - but even that doesn't make them act "superior", and most are just normal and decent people. I am sure that your DD would be fine if she went to your chosen school.

[happygardening]

No government interference school did IGCSE's and Pre Us.

[happygardening]

Should add high expectation at DS2's school were a given so didn't add it to the above.
Classes were much smaller biggest 18 norm seemed to be 10-12 sometimes less, DS personally didn't feel that this makes much difference, in fact it meant less people to bounce ideas off.

[happygardening]

We were from a "modest" background in comparison with the vast majority of boys are DS big name boarding school.
The trips at his school weren't expensive, work colleagues with state education DC's have been sent details of significantly more expensive trip than any DS was offered I think the max we ever paid was just under £700 (including flights food accommodation museum entry etc I couldn't have done it for that) and he went abroad every year with the school . Uniform was not very prescribed so you spent what you could afford and thought was sensible for rapidly growing boys.
We were paying for a super selective school that offered a very broad all round intellectual education there were endless cultural and intellectual opportunities, we didn't want a league table obsessed exam factory, he could persue his chosen sport, which he could not do locally to our home (nearest club a 60+ mile round trip) and most importantly his schools offers a significant non examined curriculum (a daily lesson), but then when it comes to the latter DS2's school is pretty unique. I also liked the ethos very liberal and tolerant, hands off parenting similar to my own frankly I never felt comfortable around the staff in the state school (DS1 went to a state school). Should also add we believe in what full boarding offers. We turned down a place at a top 5 grammar school and an "outstanding high achieving" academy with exemplary behaviour.
We never felt the odd one out but then we're so middle class if a little eccentric that I even frighten myself at times.
We did go without things to pay for it, DS left last summer at the end of yr 13 I never regretted paying a single penny.

[QGMum]

We're also from a modest background but thanks to help from grandparents can afford private secondary education for dc. The benefits are:

1.Smaller class sizes so more individual attention

1. More support for weaker academic areas

1. Behaviour is generally good so more of teachers time is spent on teaching rather than behaviour management

1. More extracurricular opportunities

1. More focus on preparation for successful life after school through identifying and developing individual strengths, careers support, study skills support and promoting self-confidence.

1. Expectations are high with aim to achieve as much as possible rather than just good enough.

In terms of academics I think the children in the middle range probably benefit most from private education and in terms of all round development children of all abilities benefit.

[Looneytune253]

I guess what I'm asking is what, in your opinion, are the main benefits of a private education for someone from a more modest background?

[Looneytune253]

Ok, so we viewed the school and is obviously better than her current school by a mile. I think her current school could get her the grades she wants. I know there are children getting straight As etc and she has the ability. I just can't see it the way the kids in her class behave and the lack of learning that goes on. On the other hand, this new school is an hour's journey away, there will be more financial outlay (uniforms, excursions etc) and she may not fit in with all the girls (she is very grungy and likes dark stuff etc)

[Looneytune253]

@bertrandrussel its the fischer family trust the school uses for their predictions. Ive only just realised how high a 9 is after doing more research. Thought it was equivalent to A* lol.

[Looneytune253]

Sorry that doesnt mean we own either. We are in a council property

[Looneytune253]

We dont have a mortgage but we do have 2 cars. Probably worth less than 5k together.

[LIZS]

Assets for these purposes would include any house you own (even with mortgage) , car, bank accounts, jewellery. They may also look at your outgoings and take any other children into account. Any surplus income would be expected to go towards fees, so if you could manage 25% you almost certainly would be expected to.

[Looneytune253]

We dont have any assets lol.

[Looneytune253]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have found the gcse predictions. I will write down our income just in case they ask from last few years.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Good luck - hope it all works out for you.

Although it may make them want your daughter by showing them she is an able student it is also important that you take full details of your income and assets as that is what they will need to give an indication of whether a bursary may be granted. Perhaps prepare a little statement so you have this to hand when they ask about finances.

[Tatlerer]

Good luck on Saturday OP. Please remember that there are all sorts of parents and kids in the independent sector. Yes, some are terrible snobs who would look down on you, many are comfortably-off families who wouldn't make any judgment, some are working parents scrimping and saving everything they have to make the fees. Of course the make-up won't be as diverse as it would be in the state sector, but you have nothing to fear.

[Hoppinggreen]

Good luck OP.
I genuinely hope you get offered what you need but please don't forget to factor in uniform, trips etc. There aren't terrible at DD school but still need to be taken into account when looking at affordability
And remember, if anyone looks down on you THEY are the one with the issue not you

[happygardening]

Well that sounds promising OP good luck do let us know who you get on.

[Looneytune253]

Im hoping for 100% but at a stretch could perhaps manage on 75%. As for scholarships all the information I can find online implies they only cover around 30% of fees anyway.

[2014newme]

Op have you worked out what% bursary you need