independent vs local schools

[Rabbitit]

Ds will be year 7 this Sept. Just got an offer and now struggling to choose between private or a good local Catholic school . Would anyone know is private really much better than a good local school ? A bit lost

Completely depends on the particular schools.

To be honest, you need to know what you want for 11 plus or 13 plus. If it’s a top prep, then expect DC to move on to top independent selective schools. That’s what they will be prepping for? Is that what you want?

If you just want a nice little private school with few going to independent schools in y7, why pay for something you could get at the RC school?

Obviously RC usually means religion is central to the ethos of the school and I wouldn’t like this. However you also need to weigh up the curriculum and facilities at the schools. Does the private school have separate subject teachers? What about art, music and drama? Do DCs get scholarships to senior schools? Try and evaluate what you are paying for.

@Bubbles OP's DC is starting at secondary in September, she's not interested in preps.

OP- you can't generalise by sector, it depends very much on the individual schools and your DC

Depends on the schools in question
I’m not keen on religious schools though so I would probably opt for the Private one in your shoes

Very much does depend on the school. We’re a Catholic family..yet our local catholic school would be my last choice. Our local grammar was a better choice..but we‘ve since turned that down in favour of a non-local independent. Many reasons..hopefully the right reasons!

Depends on the schools, and also on the child (some will do well anywhere, some are more easily distracted in a larger/ less focussed class). The big advantage of local and free is that it leaves you more time and money to "top up" if they're struggling with the odd subject, or if they want to do something that isn't available at school. I've tutored kids in private schools, so private doesn't necessarily guarantee they won't need any help.

sounds like a good private school is worth the money . The Catholic school also has outstanding rating on ofsted. So was thinking if I should save some bucks under this kind of economy . If it's a big difference in quality , might stick with private though would have some pressure financially

And both schools start from year 7 all way through to sixth form , so will be spending 7 yrs there eitherway

The tutoring thing does come up time & time again, but it’s not something I would ever factor into any decision in schools, as I have never hired tutored help for our children, and never would. The local grammar we turned down, is rammed with average kids, tutored to the hilt to pass the 11plus; and consequently is well known for many of its kids under pressure, with tutoring for many. I know someone whose child had tutoring on different subjects, 4 nights a week and attended a maths help group on Saturdays! It’s just nonsense. And still didn’t do all that well.. I’d rather a school that could nurture a love for learning, and instil a sense of independence in how they learn; not a school that prides itself on its grade grabbing headlines...regardless of how they do it.

I just think it's something worth considering as an option, if the local state school doesn't quite provide everything.

I know a family who considered private, and their child was quite keen on getting to study a classical language. She chose the local state school, and is part of a small group doing Latin after school privately - and even on that night she's probably home before she would be from the private school.

Smaller classes have their advantages, but private schooling is very costly, and if they only hit difficulties with the odd subject, a bit of tuition is rather more cost-effective.

I agree that you wouldn't want to overload them with lots of private tuition.

Many apologies! I flicked into secondary and had been reading primary just before.

So, it comes down to value for money really. What extra are you getting? What is music, sport, art and drama like? Are these subjects taken seriously? What are facilities like? What clubs do they run? Are the pupils articulate and confident? What are destinations like? Is it a “name” independent with a strong academic ethos? Where will dc and you fit in?

Are you happy with the religious aspect of the RC school? How many does it have from other religions? Is it very narrow in ethos and outlook? Where is your tribe likely to be? As I said before about prep schools: look at the quality and breadth of education at the private school. It should offer more than the state school. If it’s very ordinary, why pay?

I would try to find out what they are providing to the current students in lockdown. Some threads on here suggest independent schools are providing more teaching than some state schools.

Also depends on your income. You need to be sure you can pay for the next 5 years at least. And not go without family experiences like holidays in order to fund the place. I know a couple of people who are very bitter that they ‘went without’ and their children didn’t get the grades ‘they paid for’. In contrast I think one of my children would have been stressed at the nearest private school as I think the atmosphere would be too intense. Ours went to a good comp and have got (and hopefully getting) good grades. Eldest got A star x 2 and an A at A Level. She had only 4 hours of paid tuition in total, due to missing lessons to a bereavement. As we went state, our children have a nice deposit for a house/travel. Extra curricular stuff has been in and out of school. Out of school stuff takes up parents time but I think looks better on the CV personally. Possibly pastoral stuff may have been better at private (?) and the day is much shorter at state here so for parents working long hours, private is attractive at Year 7 so children are not their own too long.
Things ( that last year may have seen bizarre) to be thinking about are online provision and if the private school is financially stable. It is usually easier to go state to private than private to state where we live as the good comps are at capacity. The whole Catholic Guilt can be a negative thing too but useful to keep teenagers on the straight and narrow . I think most people feel ‘you get what you pay for’ so private must be better by default but that’s not always the case if you look at the whole picture.
It really depends on your child and where you think they will be happiest without compromising family life as a whole.

You are right. Income is an important factor given the economy is a bit uncertain with the virus and followed by brexit. The private school looks supportive with excellent results/ grades whilst the cath comp got good results too but just not as good as the private in terms of grades. Dilemma and kind of feeling guilty for giving up the chance to get into the private given that he survived the entrance exams.
Hubby is not into private though and believes that a kid can shine whenever he goes if he is smart.

Take the private/state factor out of the question. Which feels right for your child?

Hubby is not into private though and believes that a kid can shine whenever he goes if he is smart. Depends if the child is a self-starter and who they choose for friends. Agree with PP you need to consider which school feels right for your DS. If he's passed the exams & been round then he must have an opinion too?

No, they don’t always shine wherever they go. We gave relatives who believe this. Indeed one DC has done well but the other two barely do anything and get away with not doing homework and have gone backwards since primary Sats and definitely are squandering potential.

Some parents do think that paying somehow elevates the intelligence of the child. Of course it doesn’t. However many privately educated DC find themselves being taught with DC whose parents do believe in a good education. They all have the same goals and that’s very useful.

You should never compare results either unless the independent school, by some miracle, has an identical intake. It almost certainly won’t have the same SEN children and one assumes no PP children at all. Therefore look at added value but the private school might not publish this in any meaningful way.

Education at a private school should be broad and inspiring. It really isn’t just about results. It’s about ethos, music, sport, inspiring speakers, really good teachers, excellent facilities, tradition, fun and finding your tribe. If you go private just for results, I wouldn’t bother if it’s not an academic school. If the school gives you lots of clubs, sport, extras and inspiration, then it’s worth it.

I agree Bubbles, this is very true. Two big misconceptions...one is that money can buy intelligence and academic success, and the other, is that a bright child will do well anywhere. It is just not so.

I also find it sad when people place academics as their number one criteria on choice with schools; there is far far more to their time at school than this.

I think the fact that most private schools have long days should ensure the days are full and a broad education is offered. I would check out everything on offer not just academics.

The private school looks supportive with excellent results/ grades whilst the cath comp got good results too but just not as good as the private in terms of grades.

I would not read too much into the overall grades; the intakes will be different. Parents who invest in private education are more likely to be highly educated themselves, have surrounded their children with books since they were tiny, support them with homework, etc. There will be plenty of those sorts of families in the comprehensive too, but also quite a lot of others.

One rule of thumb I've used is to look at the top 30-odd results in each academic subject. If they're 7/8/9, then there will be a whole set working at that level. You might choose to look at the top half rather than the top 30 if you think your child is less of a high-flier.

I think when it is a local private school not one of the likes of Eton I think the choice should be, what can I provide with the money saved from private education.

Eg the private seems supportive but you could buy in a private tutor to support your child 1-1 if he needed it.

For things like sport, private school soften have more options than a comp but your child might be more interested in something outside school.

The same with music.

I think the PP who said to look at the top 30 results is a sound piece of advice. Comps only have limmited control of their intake and it is much harder for them to remove a disruptive child, also the ethos is often to keep the child in education when private may just get rid.

I didn’t like the idea of my DCs being tutored in addition to school. It’s overload. My DDs did extras such as dance, drama, music and a host of school clubs plus a set time for prep. That’s breadth and I would never want to replace that with tutoring. That’s why private can be best even if it’s not Eton!

You do need second division or better and preferably selective. You don’t want a pure exam factory. Even non selective (ish) can give a great learning experience and breadth of education. It’s not all about results and tutoring. It’s about fun, breadth, trying new experiences, inspiration and high standards. Tutors don’t give this.