Benefits of a private education at an independent school in UK.

I read an interesting post about social class on r/explainitlikeim5 and what difines the different social classes, such as level of education. I am of Irish working class stock, parents left school to work on their family small holdings in the West of Ireland around age 14 and were on them outside school from much younger. My mum is very bright but her level of education and even reading ability is very poor. My dad is also bright, and can read to a better standard, mainly from reading the newspaper. However neither have ever read a single book in their lifetime, not completed any secondary education.

They immigrated to England in the 70's, with just the clothes on their back and no savings etc. Dad worked in construction and settled in a more affordable part of SE London. Mum was a housewife and worked part time in a supermarket. They worked very hard, raised a family of six children, purchased their own home, and moved to new homes multiple times. Over they years they alsi purchased several buy to let properties as an alternative to a pension. They put all children through a good state primary and secondary school education and several of us through university. We went to Ireland every summer, but never abroad to the continent etc. We had a great, happy, loving childhood, although with six children in a working class family money was at times tight. But we always had what we needed and were very lucky. We all learned to respect and value what we recieved or earned, and had a good work ethic instilled in us all. We all now own our own properties, our own profesions, families and children etc, and have all done well.

Myself and one sibling started our own business which has been quite successful. I am now 35, this spring I hope to purchase a new substantial family home which is also a smallholding (returning to my roots, and getting an equestrian property for my horsey wife) in the SE of England. So I know we have also come along way in just two generations with lots of luck and hard work along the way.

I have two young sons and I am contemplating an independent schooling for them. My eldest (4.5yrs) has just started reception year in our local Good Ofsted rated state primary school. As we move home to a new rural location I have to decide to apply to either a new state or independent school for my son. I can afford it, but with my background, (working / middle class) and the fact I believe I have done well myself, I do have reservations about how my son's and our family will fair when we will no doubt appear as working /middle class, and probably new money. I'm not concerned about what people think of me or my wife, I'm just interested in what environment my boys will thrive best, and have a good quality of life. I am unsure would our sons have a better time in an outstanding rated state primary or an independent school? Whilst we could afford it, it would certainly mean some other cut backs, less holiday etc, which would be fine. We don't get help from either sets of grandparents financially in any way, and are now more wealthy than them.

I would be interested to read other peoples experience of the benefits of private/independent education in the UK and the downsides of such a move when you have a working class background. Slightly rambling post, I'm with my two crazy little boys.

Thanks in advance.

Submitted January 01, 2018 at 08:37AM by PotatoeFarmer82 http://ift.tt/2C5UnrS