Should I send my child to a UK state school or private school?

UK State Schools vs Independent Schools - What are the key differences?

Let's first be clear about some of the interchangeable terms these schools are referred to. A state school is sometimes referred to as a "free school,"  although a free school is actually quite different to a state school. Independent schools are also known as, "private schools," "fee- paying," or "public schools."  Some parents often think all "grammar schools" are fee-paying schools. This is not necessarily true. A grammar school can either be an independent school or a state funded one. If you're not sure about a particular school's status, it's worth checking their website under admissions. To understand the different types of schools, it's worth reading, types of schools.

Independent schools do not rely on UK taxpayer's money for funding, instead they charge a handsome fee to the pupils, with Eton College, the royal family's favourite, charging a hefty £36,602 per annum. Independent schools are governed by their own board of governors and have the autonomy to make their own decisions including curriculum content, school timings, holidays and many other regulations that apply to state funded schools who are regulated and funded by the local council and/or central government.

In my various roles as a student, teacher and parent at both state schools and private schools in the UK, I believe there are many points worth considering if you as a parent are contemplating one over another. The main point is that OFSTED have made it so much easy to compare all schools. Schools are rated according to how they have performed and what their pupils think of them. This makes the process of comparison a whole lot easier for a parent. By just checking the league tables you will know where a school ranks in comparison to others.

Important Note - Just because a school is fee-paying will not make it better than a state funded one! There are schools in the UK that are state-funded selective schools, that perform much better than many independent schools. Below is a general overview, it's not a conclusive comparison - How good a school is, will depend on the individual school in question.

Both private schools and state funded grammar schools have the discretion to select their students. Selection is usually carried out through entrance examinations, which are administered by the school and sometimes an interview. Pupils can also be selected on the basis of a musical, sporting or any academic talent. State schools do not select students on the basis of their academic ability but on other criteria such as parent's preferences. If a state school is over-subscribed then sometimes the pupil's home address distance to the school and other factors are considered. Therefore selective schools usually perform better on the league tables because they have chosen the more able students through the process of the entrance exams whereas state schools have a mixed range of abilities.

In terms of the actual education imparted, independent schools have a range of resources and networks that give them an edge in terms of overall development. My son's former independent school had an active theatre which had links with TV personalities. The private school which both my sons have attended liaises with famous celebrities for talks to inspire pupils, arranges international excursions and educational lectures and encourages participation in national subject related competitions. I have worked for a short period at a state funded secondary school in the UK, and found it to have adequate resources but students were unwilling to try out what was offered, for example early morning or lunch-time extra classes. Having said this, there are many state funded schools which offer state of the art facilities to their pupils, such as libraries, technology and theatre.

I also find it extremely easy to arrange a meeting with any of the teachers at short notice and am able to discuss various aspects of my child's education or any concerns I have related to his academics or well-being. I have been told by some parents of children who attend state funded schools that they find it very difficult to get to speak to the teacher relating to their child's education. I have been told by friends that their concerns are sometimes overlooked.

Many state schools face a common challenge - the behaviour of students. When I was invited to volunteer at a state secondary school, I was taken around the school. During this tour, I observed the poor behaviour of pupils whilst they were in the classroom and at lunch time. Without saying anything more, I decided not to volunteer in that school. It goes without saying that when a proportion of pupils behave inappropriately in schools, it's not only their progress that suffers but other pupils are prevented from reaching their potential thus affecting the overall performance of the school. Private schools are usually more rigorous in terms of school work and discipline thus have fewer cases of disruptive behaviour. I would say this is true for most selective schools too.

Class size is also important. Independent schools are able to have fewer pupils which is an obvious benefit to pupils; teachers are able to control the pupils better and give more attention to pupils. In comparison, state funded schools have a greater number of students - in some schools this figure is above 36 or more. As a consequence, some teachers would feel the strain in managing classes with these numbers.

When all is said and done, one should research any given school before coming to any judgement. The school's own website is a starting point, then explore league tables and OFSTED reports before coming to any conclusion about a school. Also your child's own level of motivation, their academic ability, their personality and your parenting style are all important factors in this equation -And as Malcolm X once quoted, "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."