I would agree with the last post not a lot of diversity in the private sector but some are better than others hence my advice skulk around the gates read everything. I had literature from a school in our area where they had pictures of the leavers in yr 6. Every boy was called either Charlie or Freddie and they were all white heading off to Eton or Winchester. If that is for you that is fine but there are other schools which are very different.
It is such a pity we aren't like France. A very chivalrous young lad got up for me on the tube today and I got chatting to his teacher. There 30% as opposed to our 10% of children attend private it is much cheaper £1000 per year and mainly Catholic. They were visiting Thomas yr 6 and were amazed at the wealth of some of the families second homes swimming pools etc.

Maybe we should send a petition to the Anglican church ?? Food for thought.

Another thing to throw in the mix, if your child attends the state option it is likely (although round here admittedly pretty skewed) that they will mix with a broader cross section of society and possibly therefore have a more balanced view of what is normal (and hopefully less likely to finish up 'entitled' as another poster mentioned) ie they find out not many people live in a huge house (or even a house at all and certainly not a second house!) not everyone has a nanny or gets on a plane to go somewhere hot every holiday etc etc. I exaggerate to make a point (and am fully aware that plenty of families who send their children to private don't have all these luxuries either, but a lot do and through the eyes of a child they could grow to see that as 'normal'), hopefully you get what I mean. State brings a richness to all who attend as they learn differences between each other, their circumstances, their cultures, their beliefs. Compared to an academically selective primary it also allows them to appreciate and work alongside all abilities and find their own place.

I completely concur with other posters who have pointed out some of the pros of private too, more sport, regular reading at school etc, it is not a straight forward choice and I agree it has to be the right setting for your child I just wanted to point out an area which hadn't yet really been discussed. It absolutely isn't just about the results.

Hi Petal
You make some very good points. Firstly, of course manners etc., should be taught at home. I couldn't agree more. I just like that this is also a focus at school to cement what is taught at home. I absolutely did not mean to come across that school/society should be left to do this. Some private school children are hideously behaved, as are, I am sure, some children at state school. As you point out, this is very much down to the parents. Same with horribly shouty entitled children! Yuk! My children are at the top end of the primary age and I find that it is generally quite self-policing. If the odd child is badly behaved, entitled or shows off, the others soon point it out! I am sure that by that age it is the same at many schools.

I do not believe all private primaries are entirely results driven, and that is the point of my post. If they were, my kids wouldn't be there! And if they were then surely they wouldn't have time to be doing sport four times a week and all the non academic stuff I mentioned above, they would be sitting in a hot classroom all day!

When you say that young children between the ages of 4-6 learn through play and inquisitiveness I couldn't agree more. I am talking more about the 9-11 age group. And same in terms of sport. Yes, of course parents can (and do) do this themselves. My kids are very keen on sport and do it at school AND outside school. When you have no garden and big bundles of energy at home, it's vital!

I am not saying that an education you pay for is 'better', and I do NOT mean to start another pointless 'which is better' debate. I just wanted to point out to the OP that there are more things to think about when thinking about a child's primary education than just the academics, when this child is still very young. The academics in MOST schools around here will be excellent whether state or private. Schoolgatesmum put it much better than me when she said 'Look at your child and look at the school and see if there's a fit. Don't plan your child's whole life out and base their entire education on your plans.'

My daughter is Y6 state and I would say that most of the children who went for private schools have got in (some with scholarships). They were probably all tutored from Y4/5 but they had no extra work from the primary school (there isn't much homework set at our primary school for which I'm very grateful!). I think it is very dangerous to make sweeping statements about how private schools give you more or state schools give you more. All schools are individual as are all children. I am very happy with my daughter's school and she will be going to a state secondary school. I'm sure she will do well there, whatever she decides to do in life. Whether that means getting good GCSEs and A levels or whether that means she discovers a passion for something else in life. Look at your child and look at the school and see if there's a fit. Don't plan your child's whole life out and base their entire education on your plans.
Also for the record when did it become important for a four year old to learn to shake hands - it's something I can't bear. I'd much rather my four year old says a cheerful goodbye to their teacher and peers. Plenty of time in life to get bogged down with formality.

I know! I was just being a bit cheeky on a Friday afternoon.

Have a good weekend

Ha ha! Of course not - sorry - didn't mean that AT ALL! Just meant that it is something that they actively focus on, practise and do at school every day.

Only children educated through the private system can make conversation, hold eye contact and shake hands? That's a bit of a sweeping statement!

Sorry, just couldn't let that one go.

I find it extraordinary that there is (hardly) a mention in this whole thread about all the OTHER things that come with private primary education. You are talking about your child's WHOLE education up to the age of 8 or probably 11. That is a long time. These are their formative years. People only seem to talk about the academics and the SATs and the % of this and that. For me, what is important is an all round education. Of course good academics - which I know they also have at many of the great state schools around here, but also exposure to lots of different sports, several times a week - netball, hockey, rounders, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, athletics - who knows what they might excel at. Music - compulsory recorder to give it a go, and the chance to sing in different choirs and perform regularly in front of an audience that helps with confidence in every area. Lots of school plays, learn chess, learn Latin - yes, I can tell you are now rolling your eyes - but why not? They might love it - give them a chance to try it! Also, very important, learning from aged 4 or 5 to shake hands and look people in the eye, to make conversation. All very important life skills! And little things (or big things as far as I am concerned) like reading to the teacher every day, having many and regular spelling tests and a focus on grammar. Things that you want to install very early which will set them up for life.

I am absolutely not saying private is better than state for everything or everyone. I know we are lucky enough to have truly outstanding state schools in this area. And yes, you must must must suit the child to the school. I just wanted to point out all the OTHER things that come with a good private primary education.

All the kids from my son's Y6 state class that sat exams for private got offers, most multiple, some scholarships. Yes, tutoring from Y5 but that's more about helping them work out what and how to sit the exams; the curriculum is the same regardless of whether you are paying or not.
My son's class is also forecast to smash their SATs this year with high numbers achieving Level 6 (top 1% of country).
Don't write off the state schools. Most are excellent and if the parents have the right mindset the children generally seem to do fantastically.
Have heard anecdotal evidence (but not first hand experience) that a number of the local private schools did not do as well in terms of places offered.
Combination of many things makes it up; but the most important thing to remember is that different schools suit different kids - find the right one and the rest follows.

There are so many different reasons to chose private over state but if money is a limiting factor I would definitely say state at primary and private at secondary. In fact it appears to be an advantage as some private secondary schools to come from the state system at 11+. If you feel unsure I would recommend state at reception as it is harder to swap from private to state once you are used to small class sizes and nice toilets

Just to say I pulled my boy out of state primary in yr 1 and we have been amazed at what is of offer my husband was against it but he has said "that was the best thing we did"

It is a heavy bill why??? I was calculating a lot more than my Dad paid when I was sent to private school. Don't listen to people who criticise you (I heard years later people criticised my Dad for doing it) for coming out of the state sector it is your child/ren and you only have one chance.

I do think it is especially relevant if you work more than 3 days and can't do many pick ups as private school can do what you haven't got time to do. We used to take him to football on Sat am to "top up the low amount of sport he had" now we don't have to. I know he get's read to everyday so I can relax on the days my nanny picks him up as she can't really do reading and homework with him to the standard I do it to.

What I would say is look at EVERY school and register ( I know it is galling they charge for this but you just have to accept that)
You never know which one you might use don't get set on one particular one. I had a spread sheet and kept changing the rankings depending on what I heard, if you have time skulk around at pick ups/ drop offs then you really see what the school is like take the "open days" and some ofstead reports with a pinch of salt but you need to go/look.
Good luck

Key to all of this is the right tutor, start getting referrals asap. Check their track record of getting children into the schools you have in mind. Then if they are good they can give you an honest opinion of your child and their suitability (ability, interests and personality) for the various options you have in mind.
I used to nanny for a family who went through this with their elder child and I know they valued the input from a tutor. Unfortunately I can't remember their name, If I can find out I will certainly let you know.

Good luck!

If you are thinking of private sitting exams for a year 7 entry is the way to go, there are less places for yr 9 entry. It also allows you to apply further for yr 9, if it doesn't work out with your yr 7 choice. It also gives child experience of sitting exams, so they may listen second time around when you are 'encouraging' them to do some prep!

*interested in

A note of caution however. Many people have the "state til 8" mindset so you might not get a private place at Stage 2 as plenty of others will be competing for those same places. Or at any rate you might not get a private place at a school that gets children into the secondary schools you're interest.