WHY IT’S WORTH THE EXPENSE
my and amie indley are arents of ffie, a e ere they e lain why they mo ed their daughter from her state primary to independent school Stamford in Lincolnshire
We weren’t happy with the state secondary school provision where we live in Northamptonshire and had been discussing investing in a private secondary education for our only child, E e – it would be financially tight, but we knew that we could just about do it.
However, when E e was in year three of our local village state primary school, she started coming home regularly saying that she was bored. We didn’t feel she was being stretched academically and the tiny size of the school limited her friendship group. The first Covid-19 lockdown really shone a light on just how important a good primary school is.
We took a tour of Stamford Junior School and were blown away by the amenities, the friendly and knowledgeable sta , and the general atmosphere of happy, engaged children. We decided there was nothing else we would rather spend our money on.
E e joined Stamford in the autumn term of 2020 in year four. When the second Covid-19 lockdown happened in January 2021, we immediately saw the di erence. At Stamford, she had her own Surface Pro device, online lessons started at 9am and she was interacting virtually with teachers and classmates all day – none of this had happened before.
Our daughter is flying at Stamford – academically, socially, and in terms of confidence. The curriculum is broader and more challenging, the sporting provision is superb and the vast array of cocurricular clubs has given her the opportunity to try things that she never would have before – from stop-motion animation to gymnastics.
We feel that an independent education is absolutely worth it. E e is happy, focused and takes great delight in trying all the new things that come her way. We’re confident that her journey through Stamford will ensure she leaves confident and fully equipped to set out on her path in life.
For any parent considering an independent education for their child, I would say just call the admissions team of your chosen school(s) and have a chat, then go for a tour – you’ll get a real sense of whether the setting is right for your family.
teacher for every 18 pupils across all state schools. Small class sizes and strong pastoral care means children get more individual attention.
“Downe House and other independent schools can o er a genuinely holistic education,” says Matthew Godfrey, Deputy Head at Downe House School. “Each pupil is truly valued and treated as an individual, and the school’s extensive academic, extracurricular and social programmes can be tailored to accommodate each pupil’s speci c needs, strengths and interests.”
“O en, independent schools can o er a broader range of subject options,” adds Jo York, Head of Admissions, Stamford Endowed Schools. “At Stamford, for example, we have 30 A-level and BTEC options at sixth form, and we o en have more exibility in how we combine di erent subjects as well.”
is all leads to outstanding results, with 93 per cent of independent school leavers going on to university (compared with less than 40 per cent of the total population of 18 year olds according to UCAS gures) and almost 60 per cent winning places at a Times top-25 university such as Durham, UCL, Edinburgh or Exeter.
“INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS can offer a genuinely holistic education. EACH PUPIL IS TRULY VALUED AND TREATED AS AN INDIVIDUAL”
Extra opportunities
Independent schools turn out con dent, resilient young adults well equipped to succeed in life. e sheer range of opportunities on o er is extraordinary. At Downe House for example, every Lower School pupil has the opportunity