[24hoursmiles]

Hello
To keep this story short, basically I've been offered a 60% scholarship for a private school about 1.5 hours from where I live to study the IB (International Baccalaureate)

The thing is, I come from a state school and this seems such a good opportunity a few advantages I can think of (please correct me if not) are,
- Smaller Classes- more attention
- Study more subjects
- More experiences and opportunities both Uni and extra-curricular
- Improvement in independence and self-confidence

However the bad?
- Leaving all my friends
- Leaving family
- If i didn't like it? Tough because my current school 6th form only offers A-levels

However, it is still a lot of money, even with the 60%, it is such a large amount with my older brother at university as well. The school have offered to spread the payment over 3 years, but still this is a huge amount and then there is the additional fees for uniform, equipment and trips etc. My parents want me to go if they can afford it, however my mum doesn't really enjoy her job and shes scared of commiting nearly £900 per month for 36 months...

I do want to go, but after realizing my family at home wouldn't have alot of disposable income if any to do things that they enjoy, im feeling really guilty! My mum keeps reminding me of the seriousness of the situation that they wouldn't be able to afford for me to go on all the trips etc. and stressing the point that i wouldn't be able to do everything that the other girls could...

Any advice, would be really appreciated!

[Oli-Ol]

I'd go for it. I'm at an absolutely brilliant private school. I've made incredible friends and the difference between private and state is something you really should think about. I'm in a very similar situation to you but to be honest, it's 6th form. Your friends will probably be more concerned about working than about how much money anyone has- no one has much disposable income at the moment, and you certainly won't be the only one there on a scholarship. Plus you can make shiny new super dooper friends :P

[. . .]

I wouldn't. And this is coming from somebody that goes to a private school. They are not all they are made out to be.

[Rainingshame]

If your grades are good enough to get you a 60% scholarship at a state school then i'd imagine you've got enough ability to get in a top 5 university at a good independent one. Sure you could possibly get in from state school but i'd say you're chances are slimmer. Also in terms of friends you'll make plenty at your new school. I'm in year 12 and the new people who came form other schools have all made friends pretty quickly. I'd say however the biggest hurdle is cost, if your parents CAN cough up £900 a month and would be willing to i'd say go,. I mean if it does lead you going warwick/oxbridge/imperial i'd say it's an investment well made as a degree form there irregardless of future profession(medicine excluded) would be worth the extra cost compared to stellar but not there institutions ( Birmingham/Leeds etc.). Also would you consider commuting to school. i had a friend you spent around an hour 10 minutes getting to school by train and bus for two years because it was the best sixth form college he could go to. If your family have a flexible timetable and a fuel efficient car ( 65+MPG) it could work out considerably cheaper just staying at home and being a day boarder. The scholarship may even cover the entire tuition.
As for not going on the trips the other girls could; you wouldn't be going on the trips at a state school anyway :P.

[zara55]

(Original post by 24hoursmiles)
Hello
To keep this story short, basically I've been offered a 60% scholarship for a private school about 1.5 hours from where I live to study the IB (International Baccalaureate)

The thing is, I come from a state school and this seems such a good opportunity a few advantages I can think of (please correct me if not) are,
- Smaller Classes- more attention
- Study more subjects
- More experiences and opportunities both Uni and extra-curricular
- Improvement in independence and self-confidence

However the bad?
- Leaving all my friends
- Leaving family
- If i didn't like it? Tough because my current school 6th form only offers A-levels

However, it is still a lot of money, even with the 60%, it is such a large amount with my older brother at university as well. The school have offered to spread the payment over 3 years, but still this is a huge amount and then there is the additional fees for uniform, equipment and trips etc. My parents want me to go if they can afford it, however my mum doesn't really enjoy her job and shes scared of commiting nearly £900 per month for 36 months...

I do want to go, but after realizing my family at home wouldn't have alot of disposable income if any to do things that they enjoy, im feeling really guilty! My mum keeps reminding me of the seriousness of the situation that they wouldn't be able to afford for me to go on all the trips etc. and stressing the point that i wouldn't be able to do everything that the other girls could...

Any advice, would be really appreciated!

Hi, I went to a good private school and would totally recommend you go if you can.

Your list of "advantages" sounds right, I would add that you might also have more opportunities (depending on the different empasis placed on them at the school you are talking about) to more thoroughly cultivate particular interests in sports, music, sciences and the arts, also of course depending on your own love of different activities.

You say leaving friends and family, I assume this is boarding we're talking about? Is there a way you could be a day student? However, it is only for a couple of years and can you not still see your friends in holidays?

It sounds as though your parents have thought a lot about this and the money and that they want you to go. I would suggest this is a big, lucky, advantage for you and that it is something you should really go for.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss any issues you don't want to talk about on the public thread.

Zara

[TheDefiniteArticle]

The problem that everyone forgets with private schools is the high chance of becoming socially inept. It's almost as high as the chance if you're home-schooled. Go for a good state school instead.

[Callitoff]

I only ever hear of people complaining about how difficult IB is, and how unfair their uni offers are compared with people doing A-levels. Perhaps something to think about?

[vickie89]

i wouldnt. i had the opportunity to go to private school when i was in year 5, because my mum worked there so i figured why not. i enjoyed it, the school was good, the children were nice and i made friends, got to do a few good things and do some new subjects i had never done before, and 10 people in my class was nice. but as it was a very small school they didnt have space for me in the year 5 room so i re-did year 4 before going into year 6 as i would have done normally (not sure how that happened really, but it was still a good year and i learned things i wouldnt have done in my old school anyway so didnt really lose out on anything by doing that).

i really enjoyed it at the private school, but i only went cos it was free for me. even with the 60% off that the op will get its still a hell of a lot of money, and if it will cause stresses at home and for the family to struggle a bit you have to decided if it is really worth it, especially with your sister at uni, and you will be going there in a couple of years im guessing, the money might be better spent elsewhere, like assisting your sister and then yourself when you go to uni. if you work hard you can still do just as well at your sixth form.

[NomNomNom :)]

hmmm..I think you should sieze the oppotrunity.. my school offers IB and its a private school. From what I've heard everyone's really friendly and the teachers are amazing. No one really has disposable income...did you apply for a bursary???

[Bailey8]

(Original post by 24hoursmiles)
Hello
To keep this story short, basically I've been offered a 60% scholarship for a private school about 1.5 hours from where I live to study the IB (International Baccalaureate)

The thing is, I come from a state school and this seems such a good opportunity a few advantages I can think of (please correct me if not) are,
- Smaller Classes- more attention
- Study more subjects
- More experiences and opportunities both Uni and extra-curricular
- Improvement in independence and self-confidence

However the bad?
- Leaving all my friends
- Leaving family
- If i didn't like it? Tough because my current school 6th form only offers A-levels

However, it is still a lot of money, even with the 60%, it is such a large amount with my older brother at university as well. The school have offered to spread the payment over 3 years, but still this is a huge amount and then there is the additional fees for uniform, equipment and trips etc. My parents want me to go if they can afford it, however my mum doesn't really enjoy her job and shes scared of commiting nearly £900 per month for 36 months...

I do want to go, but after realizing my family at home wouldn't have alot of disposable income if any to do things that they enjoy, im feeling really guilty! My mum keeps reminding me of the seriousness of the situation that they wouldn't be able to afford for me to go on all the trips etc. and stressing the point that i wouldn't be able to do everything that the other girls could...

Any advice, would be really appreciated!

The oppurtunities at a private school are fantastic and you have the chance at a brilliant education. Im not saying state schools are not good, just that statistically your job oppurtunities university choics etc will be enhanced from a private school.

[KAT =)]

I used to go to a private school, and I think that the advantages (extra-curricular activities etc.) weigh out the disadvantages. I was a day pupil, so I still got to see my family and friends. Oh, and you don't become 'socially inept'.

[zara55]

(Original post by TheDefiniteArticle)
The problem that everyone forgets with private schools is the high chance of becoming socially inept. It's almost as high as the chance if you're home-schooled. Go for a good state school instead.

Is that just your way of saying you don't like private school people? My finding from experiences at Uni is that people who went to private schools are typically much more socially attuned than those who didn't.

[24hoursmiles]

(Original post by Callitoff)
I only ever hear of people complaining about how difficult IB is, and how unfair their uni offers are compared with people doing A-levels. Perhaps something to think about?

Yeah I've heard the IB is hard and you really do have to put so many hours in, but i struggled picking 4 subjects for A-level and hey' im up for the challenge

(Original post by NomNomNom :))
hmmm..I think you should sieze the oppotrunity.. my school offers IB and its a private school. From what I've heard everyone's really friendly and the teachers are amazing. No one really has disposable income...did you apply for a bursary???

We did apply for a bursary, yet the scholarship I got awarded took this into consideration...

[SneakyDoug]

1.5 hours there and back every day after school way too long for school! Also you don't necessarily get better chances at a private school and why try and fix your schooling situation if it's not broken. Pointless in my opinion.

[TurboCretin]

(Original post by 24hoursmiles)
Hello
To keep this story short, basically I've been offered a 60% scholarship for a private school about 1.5 hours from where I live to study the IB (International Baccalaureate)

The thing is, I come from a state school and this seems such a good opportunity a few advantages I can think of (please correct me if not) are,
- Smaller Classes- more attention
- Study more subjects
- More experiences and opportunities both Uni and extra-curricular
- Improvement in independence and self-confidence

However the bad?
- Leaving all my friends
- Leaving family
- If i didn't like it? Tough because my current school 6th form only offers A-levels

However, it is still a lot of money, even with the 60%, it is such a large amount with my older brother at university as well. The school have offered to spread the payment over 3 years, but still this is a huge amount and then there is the additional fees for uniform, equipment and trips etc. My parents want me to go if they can afford it, however my mum doesn't really enjoy her job and shes scared of commiting nearly £900 per month for 36 months...

I do want to go, but after realizing my family at home wouldn't have alot of disposable income if any to do things that they enjoy, im feeling really guilty! My mum keeps reminding me of the seriousness of the situation that they wouldn't be able to afford for me to go on all the trips etc. and stressing the point that i wouldn't be able to do everything that the other girls could...

Any advice, would be really appreciated!

It depends on the private school in question, compared to whatever grammar school(s) you're in the catchment area for.

[24hoursmiles]

(Original post by SneakyDoug)
1.5 hours there and back every day after school way too long for school! Also you don't necessarily get better chances at a private school and why try and fix your schooling situation if it's not broken. Pointless in my opinion.

Sorry, forgot to mention, I'd board there, so I wouldn't be wasting 3 hours traveling per day...and the main thing was trying to maximize my chances and give me every opportunity (the words of my parents) :P

[Amhorangerdgerriug]

Go for it. This is a fantastic opportunity for you, and you do say you want to go. I have experienced both the state and private schooling systems extensively and can confidently say that whilst you STILL HAVE TO WORK FOR YOUR GRADES, AND DO NOT PAY FOR THEM, you are in a much more work friendly environment where you are encouraged to excel, rather than be pushed into failure by people who call you their friends. Going to private school was the best thing I ever did, and I am so grateful to my parents as they are hardly rich.

That said, it is probably wise to consider how dire the financial situation in your household before making such a big decision.

Best of luck, please quote if you want a reply or feel free to P.M. if you are that way inclined.

[FailedEverything]

i got kicked out of 2 schools, then i had to go to a private school as no other school accepted me.. my life went downhill from there... ever since joining private school... its weird as the people are very very spoilt and majority of them are dumb... i think i learnt more in my years of comphensive schools even though i was barely in lessons then going to a private school, it just lures you in with small class sizes, the people you meet are just upright stuck up.. most private schoolled kids are often bullied hense why they go private school and then they think their all specialist in private school most children just brown nose the teacher, i was so happy i left private school to go do better in a comprehensive college where im preforming better then my private school mates.

why the neg rep? it was my experience... just stating the facts when you transfer from compreshive to public...
GUESSING 2 PEOPLE GOT BULLIED IN SCHOOL AND DISLIKED THIS POST, AND WENT PRIVATE SCHOOL AFTER CRYING TO MOMMY TO TRANSFER SCHOOL

[24hoursmiles]

(Original post by Amhorangerdgerriug)
Go for it. This is a fantastic opportunity for you, and you do say you want to go. I have experienced both the state and private schooling systems extensively and can confidently say that whilst you STILL HAVE TO WORK FOR YOUR GRADES, AND DO NOT PAY FOR THEM, you are in a much more work friendly environment where you are encouraged to excel, rather than be pushed into failure by people who call you their friends. Going to private school was the best thing I ever did, and I am so grateful to my parents as they are hardly rich.

That said, it is probably wise to consider how dire the financial situation in your household before making such a big decision.
.

My parents have basically put it as, if i went, they could afford to send me there however I wouldnt be able to go in all trips etc. and at home, they wouldnt be able to go on holiday for that 3 year duration or spend on restaurant meals etc. (little family things)..I really do understand the financial outlay...I just feel guilty that i would be taking their money to the extent they couldn't really have the lifestyle they could have, if i didn't go...

[dragonkeeper999]

I just go to my local state school, but one of my secondary school friends went to a private boarding school the other side of the country and we still manage to meet up during the holidays and occasionally at the weekends. Seeing as your school would be fairly local (only an hour and a half away), meeting up with old friends would be a bit easier - and you will make new friends too. You won't be the only scholarship student, and the others probably won't be as stuck up and wealthy as everyone imagines them to be.
Don't worry about the school trips ect. you will be able to afford some of them - and there will probably be more trip organised than at a state school (if anyone from my physics dept. is reading... 3 trips a year to lectures is really not enough!)
And the chances of getting into a top university are greater is you go to a private school.
Your only big problem is the money - but if your parents are really happy to pay up, don't have it playing on your conscience, just do your best at the school to get the most out of that £900 a month!
Getting into a private school with a scholarship is a fantastic opportunity... I'm jealous.