Anyone thinking of sending your kids to private school?

[Zero Liability]

If I had any kids, I would. Maybe even look into that Montessori stuff.

[robpow]

That's what we are doing, daughter is starting at the local Montessori in two weeks, mainly due to lack of decent state schools around here. The good one has a catchment area about about 500 metres, such is the demand.

Matt

[Troll]

Duh! Private school. It's for people what can afford it

In answer to the OP, Bacchus Minimus has just come out of the private school system, and **** me it's a relief.

I wouldn't have had it any other way, and in all honesty he is a great lad of whom I am very proud, and he is just off to study a five year taught masters in Chiropractic, of which I am also very proud.

We've made some excellent friends from the "school gate", and have had some great times at regattas, rugby matches etc, but the Uni fees of nine grand a year are a refreshing pittance after boarding fees of around thirty!

Would I do it again? No. But then I am getting older and don't want to be tied to a desk, there are alternatives. Would I do it again if I was thirty again and could afford it? Yes, I bloody would, but bear in mind that you start going without the equivalent of a brand new vauxhall Corsa EVERY year, and finish going without the equivalent of a year old Porsche. Every year.

This x 3

There are local comps (though most are now called "academies") and there are local comps.

Moving house may be cheaper than ending up at the former.

Deffo this (wish we'd tried it)

It is cheaper to move to an area with good schools, as you will get the money back when you no longer need them and move away...

Yup

Use the money to move to an area with good schools. And/or go to church and get them into the church primary.

This

[PurpleGorilla]

Would I do it again? No. But then I am getting older and don't want to be tied to a desk, there are alternatives. Would I do it again if I was thirty again and could afford it? Yes, I bloody would, but bear in mind that you start going without the equivalent of a brand new vauxhall Corsa EVERY year, and finish going without the equivalent of a year old Porsche. Every year.

I'm looking at 10k each for prep school and 15k each for private day school at today's rates.

It's a huge amount, especially if you combine it with a tasty mortgage (ours is tiny - we live very modestly); I will do the sums and see how the land lies, but it really is massively compelling.

Regarding church. I am not a Christian, so that isn't an option.

[eek]

I'm looking at 10k each for prep school and 15k each for private day school at today's rates.

It's a huge amount, especially if you combine it with a tasty mortgage (ours is tiny - we live very modestly); I will do the sums and see how the land lies, but it really is massively compelling.

Regarding church. I am not a Christian, so that isn't an option.

One other thing to mention is that around my way a lot (and I mean a lot) of the private schools can't make the figures add up and are closing. It only take 3-5 children to leave and what was a profitable business is now making hefty losses.

[tractor]

...

I'm looking at 10k each for prep school and 15k each for private day school at today's rates.

It's a huge amount, especially if you combine it with a tasty mortgage (ours is tiny - we live very modestly); I will do the sums and see how the land lies, but it really is massively compelling.

Regarding church. I am not a Christian, so that isn't an option.

Your children might want to be. Have you asked them? <- Genuine question.

Also, there are lots of priests, vicars and other 'believers' who have far worse motives for being Christian than just wanting a good education for their kids.

[mudskipper]

Your children might want to be. Have you asked them? <- Genuine question.

Also, there are lots of priests, vicars and other 'believers' who have far worse motives for being Christian than just wanting a good education for their kids.

I guess if you're adamantly atheist, or a different religion, the church option isn't a goer. For most of us who were probably christened as babies, it's not too far a push.

[SueEllen]

I guess if you're adamantly atheist, or a different religion, the church option isn't a goer. For most of us who were probably christened as babies, it's not too far a push.

Some Church schools take non-Christians but you need to be clearly of a different religion i.e. Muslim, Sikh, Hindu not atheist.

They claim it's to increase diversity and more closely represent the local community especially if there are a few Church schools in the area.

Personally I think it's to increase their brain washing as even if your kids don't change religion unless the people are completely evil they will think of Christians as "good people" for the rest of their lives.

[Sysman]

Your children might want to be. Have you asked them? <- Genuine question.

Also, there are lots of priests, vicars and other 'believers' who have far worse motives for being Christian than just wanting a good education for their kids.

Having been brought up in a bible thumping environment I would be extremely careful not to subject my own kids to similar.

I actively distrust some of these folks.

[DodgyAgent]

Duh! Private school. It's for people what can afford it



In answer to the OP, Bacchus Minimus has just come out of the private school system, and **** me it's a relief.

I wouldn't have had it any other way, and in all honesty he is a great lad of whom I am very proud, and he is just off to study a five year taught masters in Chiropractic, of which I am also very proud.

We've made some excellent friends from the "school gate", and have had some great times at regattas, rugby matches etc, but the Uni fees of nine grand a year are a refreshing pittance after boarding fees of around thirty!

Would I do it again? No. But then I am getting older and don't want to be tied to a desk, there are alternatives. Would I do it again if I was thirty again and could afford it? Yes, I bloody would, but bear in mind that you start going without the equivalent of a brand new vauxhall Corsa EVERY year, and finish going without the equivalent of a year old Porsche. Every year.

Well said.