I have had my daughter in both a private and then a state school - in that order. They are both excellent but as far as I'm concerned the state school is just as good (she's 6 and in a state school and will be from now on). I am so amazed by how organised the school is and how they really care about the kids. The level of education is excellent too. I have heard that not all state schools are as good as the one my daughter is in...it seems to depend on the area..... All I know is that I am one very happy mum. The reasons we changed schools were because the private school we chose was too far away from where we ended up living PLUS our expenses were just accumulating soon after arrival that we knew we wouldn't be able to keep up..you'd be surprised how your savings just dwindle away on what feels like nothing....Then when we were looking around for another school we found this school but it was so neat looking and the name sounded so smart that we thought it was a private school. We didn't even consider it but then we were told by a neighbour that it's a state school. Good luck! It's daunting, I know!!