Private Versus Independent

In March 2008 we were faced with choosing the preferred secondary school places for our son. After listing our 4 preferences we received notification that we had been unsuccessful on all and were allocated a school further away with a 22% GCSE A-C success rate and a history of violence, bullying and low achievement. To say we were mortified would be an understatement.

Our son had been to a small village school with an excellent record and great staff and children. He was a bright, happy, polite, kind and sport mad boy. We started the appeal process and after 8 in total were turned away from every school leaving the original offer our only option. My son was devastated as he was the only child excluded and watched as his friends were delighted to have got their chosen schools.

Despite our ongoing appeals with the county councils, local MP and the individual schools, he did not go back to school in September as fortunately my husband is a qualified teacher and we were able to home school although it was our last resort and was not appropriate for a sociable child.

After 3 weeks at home, our son was very unhappy, not motivated, lonely and very upset.

We approached our local Independent school which generally has a waiting list in the vague hope they had a place or could help us. At £12,000 a year we were not in a position to afford it but were prepared to make every sacrifice for our son's educated. Fortunately a pupil had turned down his place at the last minute so a place was available. Like all independent schools an entry exam and interview is required which he sailed through and was offered the place.

We were all delighted, especially my son who already had 1 friend at the school in the year above.

18 months on, it was the best decision ever. If you are ever able to find a way to get your children privately educated then I would absolutely recommend it. Our son is thriving, bright, driven, smart, respectful and incredibly happy. The zero tolerance on bullying, bad behaviour, lack of respect or discipline and the failure to do your best at all times is fantastic. The quality of teachers and lack of teaching jobs at the school just show what a good environment it is to work in. The teachers actually get the opportunity to teach rather than manage children and behaviour which is often the case in some state schools.