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Basically your choices are:
- Comprehensive
- Grammar / selective state schools
- Private/Independent
- Public schools
- home school
While public schools are private, they usually (but not always) refer to the older well known and more expensive schools like Eton, Harrow, etc. that are largely boarding school. Fees for those are >£30k vs £10-15k for regular private schools. The breadth of the market means you can choose quite specifically what you want for your kid in terms of style of education. Most will be selective so you will still need to coach your kid even for primary.
Selective state schools often have a private school vibe with trad. values, more sport, more able pupils. Typically you buy your way into the right catchment area, or rent in one until you've got your eldest enrolled, then pay for tuition to coach your kids for an exam called the 11+. However, that is no longer the win it used to be as there are more kids competing. So if you want to go that route you've probably got to start training your kids from at least 9yo and looking at extra curricular activities to make them stand out. Musical instruments are prised by most of those schools, so that is currently a good option.
Comprehensives are normal state schools that vary based on all the factors you'd expect.
Anyone can home school their kid.
As mentioned sport and ex curricular activities are a major difference. Even arty private schools will have a 3-4hrs a week.
- Comprehensive
hugo7-
In Buckinghamshire, entrance to selective state schools ("grammar schools") is 100% on performance in the 11+, extra-curricular stuff e.g. music plays no part whatsoever
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Basically your choices are:
Comprehensive
Grammar / selective state schools
Private/Independent
Public schools
home schoolPlus church schools.
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Basically your choices are:
Comprehensive
Grammar / selective state schools
Private/Independent
Public schools
home schoolDon't forget Academies :/
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then pay for tuition to coach your kids for an exam called the 11+. However, that is no longer the win it used to be as there are more kids competing. So if you want to go that route you've probably got to start training your kids from at least 9yo
That is my issue with Grammar's, is seeing colleagues in Kent chuck loads of money at getting their kid through 11+. It yet again manages to tilt the balance in favour of those with more money/ love their kids more /s
el_presidente
aggi
greentricky
full disclaimer: Fundamentally I dont understand UK education system let alone the nuances. I need to study it and soon as my kid is almost 2. So please someone explain it to me.
I just know private schools (they are called independent schools?) are expensive; having looked at some fees I know for certain I cannot afford them, so not even a choice for my kid.
We moved to the current house with thinking that we will die here i.e not moving. So the question of moving for school catchment is also out of question.
I come from a family where parents did make enough sacrifices so that they have a comfortable retirement. I went to a public/government school in India; no1 did that even back then, everyone went to private schools. I did okay and heavily believe in that model. Whatever my child will get in terms of education is hundreds of times better than what I got.
All child nurture is a gamble. No judgements from me if you send your kids to private schools. Just admiration of financial planning.