Private or State

[Littlepuddleducks]

I am currently torn between going with the outstanding girls school (8 form entry in Hitchin) versus exploring private options further afield, albeit I don't have much time as she is in Year 5!
Our DD attends a state primary option and struggles with both English and Maths. She is in guided learning for both and has a tutor at home.
Although making some progress she is a bit like rabbit in headlights when it comes to assessments.
Despite her struggles she bas been described as a model student by teachers with an incredible work ethic and determination to rise to all the challenges. On the flip side, she is incredibly sporty dance, cheer leading, football, black hat swimmer, plays for A team for both hockey and hitchin clubs, even playing a county tournament this week. She is down to earth, outgoing, social and very mature.
My fear is that she would get lost from an education standpoint in big class at secondary state school - most definitely not from a social perspective :) and as GCSES approach she wouldnt get the chance to succeed as she would potentially get in a private setting.
I am not even sure if there are Hertfordshire privates that are all rounded and would consider her or we just go to state and hope for the best!

We were in a similar situation and chose the larger outstanding all girls state school for our eldest DD which was absolutely the best decision. Most secondary schools break down teaching into smaller classes and some subjects might be streamed. A school which is outstanding and with an all girls cohort doesn't sound like a school which would let its pupils get lost academically - what are the results like there?

Book in visits to see the schools you are thinking about - both private and state - so you have a better picture of what you're really considering. I looked around quite a few schools to try and understand if it would be a good fit. For us I prefered the local state school which offered far more diversity as well as an excellent teaching curriculum.

Also your daughter is only in year 5, so 9-10 years old. She's had her education upset with Covid/Lockdown so maye your DD needs a bit more time to get used to doing tests and assessments. Some children take a bit longer to get there. Great that you have a tutor to give her a bit of 1 on 1

Good luck - it is a journey to get to the rigth decision but honestly I really think look around the schools, seeing the kids, parents and teachers there will help you decide.

An outstanding and local state school sounds like an excellent choice to me.

Your DD sounds like mine who was diagnosed as dyslexic at 18 and ADHD at 20. The school threw me off the scent by running some tests and DD passed them all.

If you have a good State option use it - and I say this as someone who sent her DC Private for Secondary!

Most privates are at least gently selective and wouldn't be very interested in a child who is behind in English and maths. (Sorry!)

Look at state. It'll save you a massive amount of money.

Most state schools give a LOT of support to struggling students. There is usually an option to drop a language and do either additional English and maths in that slot or a more general learning support,

Have you seen an EP or anyone else so that you have more detail on where she struggles? (Eg poor working memory, poor spatial ability etc).

Thank you for feedback! She passed all her tests so nothing came to light, it might be there was issues as she moved school three times and there was Covid (some disruption/catch up needed) or she will get diagnosed later in life potentially.

I would disagree that she wouldn't get into a private having myself come from a rough state school in Hackney into a renowned private in London with crap marks but went on to do very well :)

I am going to do more digging into the state as well in terms of support - thank you!! so useful to get peoples feedback ❤️

I think I would start her in the local state but keep the tutors to build confidence. You can always easily go private later, if need be, but moving the other way round and getting into an outstanding state after the usual transition point, can be very difficult.

I agree with this. I'm sure there are private schools that would have places in Y8 or Y9 later on if you decide that state isn't working for your DD (though it's maybe worth looking into that now to see what your options are). It sounds like she already does quite a bit of sport outside of school, so I don't think that would be a reason to move her to private. If anything, school commitments might conflict with her current schedule. And you can keep up the tutoring through GCSEs at a fraction of the cost of private school fees. Though she may very well not need it - as others have said, she will likely get a lot of support in secondary.

I’ve heard Queenswood is a school that offers well rounded secondary education so may be worth a look.