Is a private school the answer?

Nowadays, a child’s entire educational needs are planned pretty much from birth. Which school to choose is likely to be one of the most anxiety-inducing questions for new parents as they debate that ever-controversial question: is a private school the answer?

As with many things in life, this depends largely on your child, your personal circumstances and your educational expectations. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so let’s take a look at the important considerations to take into account before reaching a decision.

Advantages: a diverse curriculum and cutting-edge teaching practices

Attending a private school comes with many advantages, the most notable of which tends to be a nuanced curriculum that includes more extra-curricular options than government or church schools usually do. Many parents whose children have a strong passion for extras will tell you that they chose that specific school for its well-equipped drama club, its dance school, its tennis coach… the list is never-ending.

Moreover, private schools tend to employ more cutting-edge teaching practices. To mention one example, they’re likely to start leveraging AI in classes earlier than other schools. Typically, classes are smaller in size, which means students get more one-on-one time. Moreover, private schools are also likely to be better equipped to cater for students with special requirements.

Disadvantages: cost and admissions process

Enrolling at a private school is likely to be one of the biggest financial burdens you will face as a parent caring for your children. Besides the cost of tuition itself, you will have to take into account additional fees for extra-curriculars and a variety of events such as ice-cream day, outings and so forth. While these are optional, the peer pressure to be part of school activities is high.

While it may be easier to cope with the financial commitment if you have an only child, the arrival of siblings may complicate matters. Many parents have had to face a real dilemma and decide whether to pull out an older child from private school upon the arrival of a new baby.

So is a private school the answer?

There’s no straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer for this one. You can only reach the best decision by weighing up all the pros and cons carefully. Parents who are in a position to opt for private school tuition are likely to be very satisfied with the result, so if you feel that this is something your family can commit to you’ll find the best recommendations on Triedandtested.