Private school question

[Wblily]

DD, in yr9, hating school. Friendship challenges, but mainly endless supply teachers, clubs being cancelled, 'fun' lessons like PE and art being worksheets. Essential all the boring bits without

Her motivation is out of the window and any joy from learning (which she had in buckets pre COVID) is long gone.

Other options locally:

1. State, good school, the yr9 cohort is challenging, same issues with staffing

1. Private - fine, loads of sports, nearby

1. Private - excellent rep, very academic, lots of art

I've contacted both privates and they've been vague re places. I need to look round and DD sit tests (understandably).

My confusion is how I do this without:

a) everyone now knowing DD might leave current school (know kids in all the schools) which will cause more friendship probs regardless if she moves or not

b) showing DD round schools she may well not pass the tests for. Do these schools provide guidance eg only apply if on target for 9s in GCSE?

You need to sit your dd down and explain the options. If there is an entrance test explain this and the possibility of not being accepted. You may well find when she is faced with making a real decision to move that she actually doesn't want to. In any case it can't be done secretly. Go for the tours. If she likes them sit the tests.

If you're prepared to pay, I think they'll be prepared to take your money.

Unless she's totally daft and unlikely to pass, they'll take her, I'd put money on it.

I'd do your research well. Privates are struggling with the same thing esp with TPS rises and contracts getting crap in the independent sector. We've just put DD back into state. Parents are less likely to, in my opinion, complain publicly as there is an element of wtf am I even paying for and it's a bit embarrassing. There is also the belief that surely even this is better than state. Once we were in the school lots of people were complaining though so public opinion isn't always the best to go by. I'd do your research well.