Are private schools worth the money?

[Lionfish37]

Hi, this is my first post but I have lurked for a while!

My DD (16) wants to go to boarding school for 6th form, leaving her very good local comprehensive, great extra curricular opportunities and some fabulous friends. She has secured a scholarship and large bursary at the school of her choice but we would still have to pay a significant sum of money which we could probably only just afford.

We like the school she has chosen and am sure she would thrive there, but as neither my husband or I have been privately educated we’re not sure that it’s worth the fees that could be used for her at university or towards a deposit on a house. (The fees would come from inheritance not disposable income so can’t be replenished).

Is it worth investing in her future now or save the money for later in her life?

Thanks!

I think it depends on the area you live in and the type of person your daughter is

The secondary school I work in gets better GCSE and A Level results than the 2 local private schools- hence lots of rich kids go to our school, in that instance its not worth going to a private school. If theres a big gap between state and private school results in your area it could be worth it

If your daughter is academic and wants to go to uni and get a highly academic job lawyer/solicitor/doctor etc then I would recommend private school if you can comfortably afford it

If she wants a more practical or just less highly academic job then she will be better of in state school

Unless your state school is deprived/satisfactory then it shouldn't make too much of a difference. Just be wary of the type of people that went there. SIL went to an all girls private school for sixth form and DH didn't. She is stubborn, spoilt and self-entitled and doesn't have many friends because of this. Something to be cautious of.

Just be aware, if your daughter is very self-motivated and bright it is likely she will get very good grades whether she went to a state school or private. It would be a shame to waste her inheritance on something that she would've achieved anyway

I wish DD all the luck in the world

Wow, I would absolutely send her and be so, so proud of her drive and ambition at that age! Many kids at this age are trying to work out how to get out of doing any work!!

You say she has won a scholarship and a large bursary??!! I would be grabbing the chance with both hands, don't hesitate for a second. She has achieved what so many dream of, let her go for it! Don't stand in her way, she deserves it.

To be honest I feel quite sorry for her that you are hesitating and not jumping for joy at her getting a scholarship. Please support her!! If she has gone to such lengths to try and move there must be lots of reasons she wants to... maybe some you don't know about.

Honestly, if I achieved that and my mum and dad prevented me from going, I would never forgive them!

Yes I do think they are definitely worth it.

However not if they will cripple you financially.

Can you really afford it? You will need to give her money for uni too.