My friend has forgone the holidays and works hard to send her child to private school where they are flourishing. We haven't got the worry about fees, the kids haven't got the pressure of doing well to justify the money, we can make memories of going on holidays and they'll have the stability of their own house (if that's what they want). We've had this dilemma with two bright children and in the end, what it boils down to, is overall happiness. I taught in comps and the teaching was far better overall in state than private but you can't kick out 'rogue' kids in state schools as easy as private. My schooling was private then a well known public school. I am constantly telling her she is as good/ better than her friends that went to private school - backed up by her grades. One thing my Dd is possibly not as good at as if she had been in private school is to have that 'air' about her - either described as competitive or arrogant. You seem to be weighing up all the pros and cons like we did. If you do go private beware of the local children who won't play with your child anymore! You can't win btw. If you decide not to go private, beware of other parents sending their kids to private school who make you feel like you are not doing the best for your child. No idea how much is who they are and their home environments, and how much is their school environment. Doctors, lawyers, accountants, journalists. I left in 2004 so lots could be different by now.Īs for my peers from NGHS - almost all have done well. Mind you, the head who was there when I was left awhile ago, and I don't know anything about the current one. They do place a lot of importance on results - I was a pariah in upper sixth as one of only four who didn't plan to go to university! It's a real privilege to go to that school but it's difficult for lots of kids who just can't thrive in it. Once you're used to the small class sizes it's difficult to get back into classes of 30, which is why I returned at 16 (I went to a different all girls school nearby for the interim). The learning environment is wonderful, and there's no sense that you're being taught to pass exams you're being taught to learn. If she has to work hard she may find she is left behind somewhat. If your dd is exceptionally bright, as my sister was, she will thrive there. It is incredibly rigorous and competitive. I went there for year seven, left as it didn't suit me, then went back for sixth form. They would probably go High school for sixth form anyway all being well so perhaps that a reasonable compromise? Is the financial and logistical outlay worth it for the experiences, facilities, small class sizes, etc or is it actively not worth it? Would it be better to give them some saved cash for uni and to start up in life? What makes the decision clear in the end? I really need a crystal ball! I appreciate we are in such a lucky position, and either choice would be fine, but I just don't know how to balance all the considerations. We can just about afford all 3 going there from income I think but it will leave very little to save for their university etc (joint 100k) and we will really feel the drop in disposable income, life would be fine but a lot less comfortable. I also worry that having education served up in such easily digestible packages makes one less resilient and self starting in the long term. However, I was wary of how often the bursar and fees and results and oxbridge were mentioned and did't get a particularly warm vibe from the other parents, although the tour guiding high school kids were very charming. I liked the facilities and the teachers and loved the sense that they would have a door opened to a set of opportunities and exposures that allow them to feel they can succeed at the very highest levels on a national or world stage as a matter of course (may not have expressed this very well). DD loved it but they did give her muffins and let her do loads of cool taster stuff so I am not quite sure what she was assessing. It is clearly glossier and slicker and gets amazing results, but then so it should. It would also be 5 minutes walk and, erm, free.īut then we went to look round the High School. Quite a few of our friends kids have got 10 A* and I think DD should be capable of doing similar. There were some aspects I didn't like, large ish classes, mixed ability maths years 7 and 8, lessons before school if you want to do triple science, slightly tatty etc but generally was fine and we know lots of lovely families there who say it's an academically demanding school. Our local secondary is rated very highly, although I don't know what all the numbers mean TBH and we looked round and thought it was fine. An absolute is that it must be co-ed as I want her and her 2 brothers to be at the same school. DD year 6 is bright and ambitious and we are looking at school choices.
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