State teachers - would you send your own kids private?

[Teapleasemilknosugar]

If you could and cost was not in the equation, would you choose a private education for your own children? And why?

I'm professionally and personally torn on it, but this is the very fortunate position I find myself and my family in, and we can't agree, so I'm interested in wider views from others.

It would depend on the state and private offerings in your area. I’ve worked in both and my dd has been educated in both. Personally I think a good state for primary up to year 6, adding the extra curriculars/tutoring yourself. Then a good independent for the rest. I’m not very convinced about independent for most of primary, unless you need good wrap around care.

May I ask why?

Yes if I could afford it. I live in a deprived inner city area. My kids state primary is decent but most secondaries around here aren't great and I'm a bit worried about that. I'm not sure that I would send my kids to the school I work at although it's definitely on an upwards trajectory and we have a few years yet to think about it.

That being said, both DH and I went to "bad" state schools and managed to do relatively well so I suppose it depends on how bright and motivated the child is, as well as how supportive and involved parents are.

I feel like our kids will hopefully be the type who would be ok wherever they went. Parental support and involvement is a huge factor.

Yes, we did. The LA were running out of primary places and it was potentially going to be very tricky as we're both specialists in niche areas. I was also attracted by the good wraparound that was guaranteed if you wanted it and that included your child being able to attend clubs after school if they wanted.

The music and sport provision was very good. The SEN support was excellent. Great trips and residentials. Teachers seemed happy. Head was fantastic. Buildings were well maintained.

DC has gone to a state secondary as she needed an EHCP and that can be tricky in the independent sector.

Downsides: cost a fortune (although I did a budget and it only became more expensive than moving house would have been, by year 5). Very focused on 11+ and competitive entrance exams.

Yes i would, and i did. It was coloured by DH having been to an exceptionally awful state school, and over the years we were looking our local ( and only accessible) state school, bumbled from 4 to 3 to 4 etc, at one point the county council sacked the entire governing body, and they had 3 heads in 4 years.
The Indi school provided all the extra curricular on site, allowing us to work hard, and for me to provide opportunities at my state school for the students there they would not otherwise have had access too ( i ran for eg the debating club for many years and took kids to finals at Oxford and Cambridge unis, so in no way do i think i was being two faced about this. If they had been at the state school they would have been home by 3 pm so i would have been hot footing it back from my school to be there by 4:30, whereas in the private school they finished at 6 or later and i collected them on the way home, having run a load of extra curriculars).

We have absolutely not got the kind of child who'd "do well anywhere". I always feel we're only one harsh or struggling teacher away from EBSA.

I think I must have sensed she had SEN when she was quite little (diagnosed at 7). As a teacher I was just so unhappy reading of locals (including some Mumsnetters) not getting a primary place at all or getting a random one anywhere (the council actually had to rush old office buildings and portakabins into service, they'd planned so badly).

I felt like if things did work out badly it would be me not DH that ended up getting pushed out of work.

Also what @JaffavsCookie says!