Local school vs indie

[schooling123]

Considering local stare school with 85 % 4-9 GCSE Maths and English or indie (depending on bursary). Please, if you have had a similar situation, could you share where you would go for indie or stay in state school till Year 9 and tgen move in 13+ or stay till GCSE and then possibly move for Sixth form in indie?

The GCSE results sound excellent for a comp.

What's the indie like?

Have you been round both to consider the pros and cons for your child?

Even with a bursary, how much of a burden would the fees be?

Indie would involve travelling time on a public transport or coach, not sure how much bursary would be awarded so it is uncertain... Indie has better results, activities, better facilities for DT, Sport etc. I wonder if we were awarded 50 per cent or so ... whether it would be worth considering indie...

I take that this would be for 2020 intake or after and not 2019 as you’d know any bursary offer by now for this year.

Have you spoken to the bursar of the independent school to find out more about levels of bursaries they offer and how one qualifies? Bursaries are often means tested and require a lot of disclosure. Equity in a home and potential to earn may be taken into account and not just current income. Scholarships are not usually means tested but are often token gestures and as little as 5 or 10 %.

DD was in an independent school for primary and it can be a tough environment if you are the odd one out who doesn’t have the holidays, experiences and latest tech. She is far happier in the local school than she would have been staying on at the independent- but then others who stayed are happy so it is very much about the best fit for your child and family circumstances.

“Indie” 🤮

@schooling123 , as you are posting on the elevenplusexams website too it would be really helpful to know which part of the UK you are in?

If you are in the SE or Greater London the state system is robust and the private system/bursary stress isn't worth it for your family's peace of mind.

I am in West London. Sorry, I am a bit panicking, hence posting...Yes, aiming at 2020 intake. Thank you for replies.

Just go round them and get a feel for the schools and the best fit for your child.

Are the teachers approachable. Are the pupils polite and look you in the eye with confidence. Does the school offer GSK subjects your child make what to take etc
Will they have local friends etc.

Looking at a results table tells you very little.

My experience is that indie will offer way more experiences and opportunities and that it is worth the leap every time. My eldest DDs are at CLC and its a life changing experience. Go for indie everty time.

Focus on the grammar school options near where you live.

The only grammar schools that I can think of are the Tiffin schools (Kingston I think). The OP will need to live within 14km of the school and the exams are in October / November I think. From what I know, the competition to get in is very fierce indeed - unless the OP has already been preparing her child, it might be a bit late.

Sorry, I meant to say that those are the only grammar schools that I can think of in west London.

If the independent school is offering a bursary, it may only be if the child joins in year 7. They aren’t going to be thrilled if you decide to go with the state option and then move at 13 - and if they are full for year 9 then this won’t be possible.

Do you have more than one child? If you are dependent on a bursary for the first child, would you be able to afford the 50% (or however much it is) of fees for subsequent children?

It will be harder to get in at 13 when the majority or prep school children will be looking for a place.

Actually, looking at this, access to grammar schools is really quite patchy in London.

It’s possibly too late to be thinking about grammars. I’m in Sutton and the registration deadline was last week but I’m not sure about other boroughs. The tests are next month and some in early October.

OP, indies do have better facilities and some are a lot more academic than a comp would ever be. However, very good comps generally have a top set or two who do get fantastic GCSE results (some getting straight 7-9s). If you get a 50% bursary, you’ll still need to find 10k+ every year. If your daughter goes to the comp, you could use some of that money towards extracurricular activities, travelling, maybe Tuition etc. At least it’ll avoid the stress of being the poorest kid in school who can’t afford trips or holidays.

Oh, I’d also add that indies are often very thorough in working out bursary entitlements. For example, you might be in moderate income but have a lot of equity in your house and you’d be expected to take some of the equity out for the fees before getting a bursary.

Thank you for replies, very helpful.