Private reception-do they learn more than state reception? Post Reply

[skipper1]

Hello,

My daughter has a place for September at a fantastic private school. However, we found out on Thursday that she has been given our first choice state primary school too. Its not a fantastic state primary but any means, but it is ok.

As the time nears to make a choice, I feel the pressure with the amount of money we will be spending and would like to hear from parents whose children have been in a private pre prep. Do you feel you made the right choice. What do feel they learn that state primaries don't offer? Is it worth the money?

When I looked at the curriculum for our state reception it alarmed me as it seemed very basic. My daughter is a bright confident girl, knows all her phonics, can write some things and is starting to read. I am worried that in a class of 30 she won't be pushed enough. Do private schools teach them in things in advance of state schools?

Family and friends are weighing in on our decision and feel that at primary level private school is a waste of money.

One option would be to transfer her at yr3 to a private and go state for 2 years. Would she be far behind her peers if we were to do this?

Thanks!

[skipper1]

Most read, but no replies? I'm sure some Nappy Valley mums must have some advice on this....?

[gail0810]

I think it all depends on what sort of school or education you want for your child and affordability too of course. I can't comment on how the private system works in general and how they compare, as I was state educated and our daughter is currently only in reception at a private school. We weren't offered any of our state choices and we knew that realistically the only option for us would have been a state school we were really unhappy about sending her to.

The curriculum in my daughter's class covers the normal literacy and numeracy and arts and crafts etc, as well as music, singing, dance, PE, games and french and ICT all taught by specialist teachers. The big advantage is the small class sizes and personal attention - there are 19 in her class and the teachers hear the children reading at least three times a week.

Ultimately you have to be happy with your decision - not your parents, family and friends (we certainly experienced some snide remarks from family about our choice to go private), so do what you feel is bese. Otherwise you might find yourself regretting or wishing you had made a different choice, although of course that doesn't mean that you can't switch between the two sectors at a later stage, though I believe lots of private schools offer places in later years based on an assessment of ability too, so something to consider.

[Teaandbiscuits]

I am a reception teacher in a state school (but have exp of private).
There is a slight professional ruffle of feathers from me at the hint that state teachers might not stretch a bright child - all teachers regardless of whether they teach private or state have the same training in differentiation and any teacher worth their salt (don't forget how heavily we are monitored these days!!) will work extremely hard to challenge all pupils from where they are developmentally. I say that in the hope that it will allay your fears in that respect. Admittedly there are perhaps greater pressures in state schools as ratios are higher but with that comes some wonderful diversity which is also important to experience and perhaps not so readily available in the private sector. As the previous poster has said, it depends what you want. What I will say is please please decide either way sooner rather than later so that if you decide to go for private the space is released for other parents who might not have that option and be desperate to get in to that state school! Best of luck x

[skipper1]

Thanks for the comments and private messages.

I'm sure there are some fantastic state schools out there. I myself was educated at a state school and have had a fantastic career. I think there are good and bad teachers everywhere, both state and private, that certainly was the case at my school.

I'm not sure its about individual teachers not 'stretching a bright child' as such, but more about having the time to do so with so many in a class and not as many resources. Its very much about the school itself too. There are some fantastic private schools out there, that are certainly worth the vast amounts of money that a private education costs. However, there are some bad ones too. It really takes time to find the right one for your child.

We've made our decision and will certainly let the respective school know to free up the place. The state school we've been given just cannot compare to the private school.The state curriculum will not stretch our child enough and the extra specialist lessons she gets right from reception really swayed our decision. We're not rich by any means and are saving to get the money together, forgoing luxuries and holidays.

We all want the best start for our children, and I believe that we've found it. We will just have to pay for it.