Hello, everyone,

does anyone have a personal (or their child's) experience of UK private schools vs Swiss state school/gymnasium.

If money was not an issue, would you choose an established private UK school (not boarding) or Swiss state school?

I have in mind Pembridge Hall and Wetherby schools in London. If anyone knows them personally or via friends, please share your thought with me.

thank you
Lana

Hi Lana

Do you mean the international schools vs the Swiss state schools?

It probably depends on what your personal circumstances are: how long you are staying, how old your children are, do they already speak German or are they young enough that it wouldn't be a problem if they went to Swiss school, do you have an income that would cover the astronomical costs of private schooling?

Only you know the answers to these questions but, from my point of view, I intend to send my son to the Swiss state school system when he is old enough. He'll be spending his life here (well, after he's an adult it'll be up to him, obviously) so I want him to be as integrated as possible in the country.

Kids in the state school system tend to be a bit more settled in terms of staying in the same school for the duration. International school kids tend to come from expat families who move around quite a bit so your kids might find it common that their circle of friends changes more often than normal.

If they are not boarding, then depending on your choice, it could be quite a long bus ride home for them for lunch.

dave

No, I did not mean Swiss International Schools, but UK private schools vs Swiss state. Because we have a choice of either educating them in UK private school or Swiss state school.

I understood that swiss state is better than swiss international if we stay here long-term. But given a choice of UK privae vs Swiss state I do not know which one gives better education.

UK private schooling is pretty good (most of my maternal family went to private schools - except me because I was too thick...) but they are hellishly expensive unless your kids can bag a scholarship. Their exam pass rates normally top the state schools in the UK but, having said that, there are plenty of UK state schools which have excellent reputations.

My husband and his siblings were all educated through the Swiss state system and have gone on to have successful careers and, like I said earlier, I have no qualms about sending my son through the system when the time comes.

The added bonus if you educate your kids here in Switzerland is that they'll be fluent in another language.

Good luck with your decision!

Hi
Can anybody tell me which companies offer to pay for the International Schools when re-locating.

Zaphod, from what I see at my daughter's school, almost every company in Zug pays for the schooling, buses and lunches of employees children.

The difference between Private UK schools and swiss state is enourmous, maybe not in term of quality but in terms of values. In the UK the kids are drilled - a lot of exams, competitions, extra-curricular activities that are 'must-do' (tennis, choir, violin, you name it). You also have to bear in mind that they will only be with kids from the upper social classes because the others can't afford them. But if you want your kids to go to Cambridge/Oxford and become a lawyer, that's probably the best way to go about it. In the he swiss state schools there is more of a mix, even in the good areas. People are a lot more laid back and aware of too high demands on the child. It's much more up to the individual to take what they need from the school. At least at the primary / early secondary level, because once you get into Gymnasium I think it's no piece of cake either.
G

Tks "Zug Bound" ... might see you there soon?