Private primary v Private secondary

[PettswoodFiona]

What I found was a DD who went to a private primary got such a great head start she breezed through 11 plus (school didn’t support learning for 11 plus but we did home familiarisation). The private primary had specialists teaching science and maths for example, plus from Y3 getting used to different teachers and classrooms made the step to secondary less daunting. Another local private school however didn’t have these differentials and didn’t even do a single language unlike the local state primary that did French so as said it isn’t always as simple as state v private.

We couldn’t afford private secondary (and didn’t really need to due to move excellent grammar and comprehensive options) and DD made the transition to state very comfortably.

[SGadd]

What I found was a DD who went to a private primary got such a great head start she breezed through 11 plus (school didn’t support learning for 11 plus but we did home familiarisation). The private primary had specialists teaching science and maths for example, plus from Y3 getting used to different teachers and classrooms made the step to secondary less daunting. Another local private school however didn’t have these differentials and didn’t even do a single language unlike the local state primary that did French so as said it isn’t always as simple as state v private.

We couldn’t afford private secondary (and didn’t really need to due to move excellent grammar and comprehensive options) and DD made the transition to state very comfortably.

This is really reassuring to hear and makes me convinced that we are doing the right thing. The school we are considering, the Beacon in Amersham, definitely has different specialist teachers teaching different subjects and they have weekly swimming and language lessons. It is very well run and I am hoping they will help with 11+ prep. I hope we are doing the right thing.

[Daogroupie]

I think it would be worth clarifying that they do actually help with 11 plus prep rather than just hoping.

It would be really worth paying for because doing the 11 plus prep at school instead of having to do it after school after a full day at school would be so much easier. DG

[SGadd]

I think it would be worth clarifying that they do actually help with 11 plus prep rather than just hoping.

It would be really worth paying for because doing the 11 plus prep at school instead of having to do it after school after a full day at school would be so much easier. DG

Apparently, they don't do the prep.

[nyr]

Not knowing anything about the state and private primary and seconday options in your area, so at a very general level, it seems to me that if an outstanding state primary is available then it may be the best option.

You'll have to arrange the 11+ prep outside the school and you could always get your boys to a leisure centre for weekly swimming, martial arts or whatever lessons, so there doesn't seem to be much advantage for the private primary as far as these are concerned.

If you choose an independent primary then you won't have the possibility for the private secondary and there is always the possibility that the grammar route may not be available.

If you attach value to networking and believe it would be better via the private sector then again it seems to make sense to go for a state primary and spend for the secondary, as social links would be stronger when in the adult world.

I should say that I believe in state education and only considered an independent secondary for DD as, at the time, HBS was the only state option for girls in our area and this was in the days without the catchment rule for the second round.

[hermanmunster]

I think it would be worth clarifying that they do actually help with 11 plus prep rather than just hoping.

It would be really worth paying for because doing the 11 plus prep at school instead of having to do it after school after a full day at school would be so much easier. DG

Apparently, they don't do the prep.

in which case you have to seriously consider whether it is the right school, the one my kids went to didn't do prep specifically as it was a great many miles away but they had good all-round prep for entrance exams in general and happened to be bright enough to pass without specific tutoring for that 11 plus.

just think- do you want to have your kids busy doing work at school, extra curricular activities ++ and then get them home only to go off to another tutor which will cost you more?

I think @nyr may be right - save your money for tutoring and senior indie if they don't get through the 11 plus.

[SGadd]

I think it would be worth clarifying that they do actually help with 11 plus prep rather than just hoping.

It would be really worth paying for because doing the 11 plus prep at school instead of having to do it after school after a full day at school would be so much easier. DG

Apparently, they don't do the prep.

in which case you have to seriously consider whether it is the right school, the one my kids went to didn't do prep specifically as it was a great many miles away but they had good all-round prep for entrance exams in general and happened to be bright enough to pass without specific tutoring for that 11 plus.

just think- do you want to have your kids busy doing work at school, extra curricular activities ++ and then get them home only to go off to another tutor which will cost you more?

I think @nyr may be right - save your money for tutoring and senior indie if they don't get through the 11 plus.

It has been a hard decision, but we decided to send them to the Beacon and prep for 11+. If they don't get in to GS then there is a possibility of putting them into a private sixth form. But for now we are just going to focus on 11+.

[hermanmunster]

Other option to consider would be getting a job at an indie and benefit from the staff fee discount