So, your choice will depend on lots of factors.
Looking at the grammar: when you looked round did it feel somewhere that would “fit” your DD? Did the children helping on the open day seem happy, enthusiastic, or drilled/stressed?
Is the journey something she can do herself, and not require constant parent-taxiing?
The independent may have better facilities, be ause that’s what you pay for.
Now think about the cost of the indie over the 7 years of arrendence: and remember to add in the many extras which will a few thousand per year at least. Unless
the fees would be helpfully paid for you by a family member or bursary, What can you do with that money instead that would enhance your DD’s education and life experiences?
You can see how individual this is… but if the school expenses are £20k a year for seven years, then that can be a huge chunk of family money. There is criticism that GS have lots of wealthyish middle class families in them…. but this is partly because private education is felt to be unaffordable especially when you have multiple DC.
the other thing is family finances: if you are a millionaire you effectively have a free choice, but if your circumstances were to change unexpectedly, it’s a lot harder for some DC moving from indie to state in terms of adjustment, and that GS place would not stay available to move into. So that’s a consideration too.
Which school did you genuinely fits your needs best?
Looking at the grammar: when you looked round did it feel somewhere that would “fit” your DD? Did the children helping on the open day seem happy, enthusiastic, or drilled/stressed?
Is the journey something she can do herself, and not require constant parent-taxiing?
The independent may have better facilities, be ause that’s what you pay for.
Now think about the cost of the indie over the 7 years of arrendence: and remember to add in the many extras which will a few thousand per year at least. Unless
the fees would be helpfully paid for you by a family member or bursary, What can you do with that money instead that would enhance your DD’s education and life experiences?
You can see how individual this is… but if the school expenses are £20k a year for seven years, then that can be a huge chunk of family money. There is criticism that GS have lots of wealthyish middle class families in them…. but this is partly because private education is felt to be unaffordable especially when you have multiple DC.
the other thing is family finances: if you are a millionaire you effectively have a free choice, but if your circumstances were to change unexpectedly, it’s a lot harder for some DC moving from indie to state in terms of adjustment, and that GS place would not stay available to move into. So that’s a consideration too.
Which school did you genuinely fits your needs best?
Statistics: Posted by Aethel — Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:40 am