Guilt of moving schools

[Whatsernom]

We are currently at a ok to good private girls school but with the new Labor government meaning VAT on school fees we can't really afford to keep sending our 13 year old there anymore. Especially as we have an 11 year old who will be going into Year 8 in Sep 2025. This is too much of a financial burden despite the fact that both me and mu husband earn 100k each. We have one school near us (Gordon's in West End) which we did not get into. They are oversubscribed every year and despite living in the area for 10 years newbies have moved into the new developments nearby which ousted us out. I am so torn with moving her. The only choice we now have is Collingwood. I keep hearing mixed things about this school - mainly negative. I feel awful and wish we had thought all this through before. Perhaps moving closer to Gordons or just to a completely different area. Anyone in and around the West End/ Bisley area who can offer advice and some words of wisdom. A huge part of me feels like a failure for not having thought this through.

Cannot find anything as that

OK well to paraphrase: Raynor pledged that her party would “end the marketisation and privatisation of our education” in a clip from 2018 and that "best system for our young people’s education is a comprehensive state system".
In 2019 Rayner gave her support to a Labour conference motion which called for all funds and properties held by private schools to be “redistributed democratically and fairly” to other schools and for private schools to be converted into comprehensives.

Twistyizzy that doesn't say that Labour will shut all private schools down. Those are only Angela's words and tbh the marketisation of education is spinning wool on the parents eyes. I am saying it- a person who spent 30 yrs working in marketing.
Privatisation is driven by demand and should be but like that not based on the nonsense fake league tables and tricks with Leavers Destinations etc.

Of course it doesn't, I'm not stupid. What it does show though is her core belief about private schools which you said you didn't believe she/Labour hold. You don't think they are out specifically to attack private schools, I'm saying that they are and the evidence comes directly from statements like this from Raynor and Reeves.

hm but you were saying that they want to abolish private schools. Her words are not about it. She is talking about marketisation and further expansion of privatisation of education. Quite a different thing

I said that the agenda comes from a desire to abolish private schools, not that they are actively trying to abolish them. So the underlying principle is that they disagree with private schools and in ideal world, yes, they would abolish them. This then drives their agenda and policy.

It is probably only hot air that is pleasing some ears and not something they would actually do

Thank you for the healthy debate and weight in's. It has given me further room for thought. I have already started sending in enquiries and applications. It does cost over £7,000 a term and this is not including anything else (uniform, lunches, extra curricular activities, trips). Yes our mortgage is pretty high and living in the area is not cheap. We have thought about downsizing everything - house, car, and already have been sacrificing holidays every year. It's the pressure of then having the second one go in next year. As many of you have said. They will be ok. No point in making life pants and adding pressure on ourselves for as one of you said, "an ok school" Both myself and DH went to state school so nothing against them at all. What will be will be.

OP DD moved from private to state and it worked excellently for her. She was happier at the state school than the selective private one, the teachers at the state school more engaged and responsive. Admittedly 8 years ago now and at a more natural transition from primary to secondary but I’ve know many others who’ve done similar at different times and - important note - with good communication, it works out.

Why don't you apply for boarding places instead?

Why would you suggest this considerably more expensive path when the issue is the increased cost with VAT?

The reality is that you can afford to keep them there. You don't want to change your lifestyle.

You earn a huge wage and I'm wiling to bet there are other things you can sacrifice. Cheaper or less holidays? Downgrade cars? Extra curricular activities?

I understand that the area is expensive and that life is expensive but there are ways. Move them at year 12. There is always a lot of movement then anyway.

You seem to only be talking about the 13 year old - are you only moving her?

I've just re read. Your younger daughter is at primary still? Why mention that she goes into year 8 in 2025? I assume the school starts at year 7 or year 9 so where is your younger daughter now?

I think that was a typo and the younger one goes into year 7 in sep 2025.

See this other info from the OP:

”It's the pressure of then having the second one go in next year”

We are local to you and have 2 kids at Gordon's. I understand your frustration of living here for years but yes lots of new houses means less than 1000m is the norm. Have you visited all the schools? You really need to get a good feeling of them all before making a decision like moving house?