moving from independent school to BP or Earsfield primary?

4 posts
darlingmummy
Posts: 120
Joined: Jul 2009
Options:
Share this post on:

moving from independent school to BP or Earsfield primary?

Postby darlingmummy » Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:25 am

hello,
I need some advice and feedback as we are in two minds on whether to keep our daughter in the independent school we have chosen or move her to our nearest state school which would be either Beatrix Potter or Earlsfield primary.
she is now in year 1 and we feel there is something missing at the school, I don't want to name and shame the school, so won't mention which one it is.
I feel that the discipline and overall improvement don't reflect the fees we pay.
we are paying a lot of money for it but this is not the issue, we can afford it, but I won't look at another independent school because there isn't another one close to us which will allow me to drop off and pick and go to work every day on top of it.

so I am now thinking whether we should cut our losses and try to get into a state school.

I am wondering if anybody has done this and would also like some feedback from parents at either BP or EP to find out what the schools are like and if the kids are thriving.

thanks
Post Reply
tooposhtopush
Posts: 534
Joined: Jul 2009
Options:
Share this post on:

Re: moving from independent school to BP or Earsfield primar

Postby tooposhtopush » Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:20 am

The BIG differences between indy and state are class sizes and time for extra curricular (e.g. sport).

Almost everything else is marketing for the parents!

I wouldn't worry at all about moving to either of the schools you mention, they're great schools.

However you'll be used to a lot of "cuddling" that you won't get at state. That doesn't matter, it honestly doesn't, but if you expect regular tea and biscuits with a member of staff to discuss your child at length then that's less likely to happen. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, just its a little more rushed and with big class sizes there are more voices clamouring for attention.

Sport is the other biggie. I have friends who have done it the other way around and their little ones couldn't believe they did sport every day. I personally think that's a good thing, I don't' think it's worth the money alone but its a good thing.

Hope that helps!
Post Reply
GES77
Posts: 72
Joined: Oct 2009
Options:
Share this post on:

Re: moving from independent school to BP or Earsfield primar

Postby GES77 » Tue Jan 20, 2015 12:14 pm

It is not just the sport you are paying for but no doubt an experienced art/music/language teachers & departments with plenty of time allocated to these subjects during the week. Further up the independent school, you may well have specialist maths/English/science teachers with science labs and DT.

Obviously all this is in a small class size. In the pre-prep there are usually two adults in the classroom and I know my children are read with daily (at state it is usually weekly and in a group).

I taught at a state school btc and don't underestimate the class size 30 of which up to 50% didn't speak English as their first language - lots of French/Spanish but mostly African dialects.

Furthermore, please consider your preferred secondary school and whether your child will need to sit common entrance.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of independent schools can be very laz (I taught at one btc too!) - but voice your concerns and make a decision based on how the school deals with them.

You are paying for a very different "product" - make sure your child has the personality to adapt to the changes - they will feel quite huge!
Post Reply
windmill26
Posts: 415
Joined: Oct 2010
Options:
Share this post on:

Re: moving from independent school to BP or Earsfield primar

Postby windmill26 » Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:46 pm

My child goes to one of the schools you have mentioned and getting feedback or a meeting with the teacher is like "pulling teeth" .
Post Reply

Start a conversation
To create a new post and start a new conversation, please click on the button.