Honestly Mont,
It's possible to have the best of both worlds.
You're right to be worried though. If my nephew hadn't passed the entrance exam for the school he's in now, I think we'd have poisoned him to spare him the terror that is our local 'Academy'. He just couldn't have coped. He's little bit on the autistic side sometimes and he hadn't mixed with the savages from near his house.
I, on the other hand, was a little better prepared and my local school, while it was rough, is nowhere near as bad as the one he'd have had to go to. Also, I was more sociable, was a good blagger, and wasn't easily led, so my academic achievements weren't in jeopardy because of a bit of bullying or attempts to distract me. My nephew would have caved though.
His school doesn't take fees, but you have to be shit-hot brainy to get in. My mother picked it for its ethos more than anything. He got into another school that was just too 'white and Catholic' for our tastes. So you will be able to find 'good' and 'nice' schools for her wherever she lives, that won't cost a penny, but will have her if she passes the entrance exam. And let's face it, she's looking like she's going to be a bright kid already.

My mum had me booked to sit entrance for a good school. From what people told me about the exam, I reckon I'd have passed too. But I knew I'd be swapping one kind of bullying for another. I stood out in the local comp for being polite and bright, and I'd have stood out in the private school for being a common little scholarship kid from Town. So I chose to stick with the devil I knew.

I grew up in the grey and grime of the city, but because of that, my nana could regularly walk me five minutes along the road to the opera, the ballet, the art gallery and whatever else was happening. And I appreciated my holidays in the country more because it wasn't the norm.

Do whatever you can for her and she'll be ok. There will still be educational options open to her that don't cost a lot, and fight tooth and nail to get her into those rather than somewhere that will frighten her. I couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag, but I survived because I was mentally strong and my parents loved me. Don't fret. You're doing the best you can.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 10:45, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Thank you for posting this. Really.
I'm feeling a bit emotional today.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 10:51, Reply)

One day when she's about 19/20
you'll be sat having a beverage with her, and she mightn't actually say "Thanks for all you've done for me." but the fact that she's sat there, and you're buddies, well you'll just know that she's grateful you gave a fuck.
Trust aunty Roota.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 10:58, Reply)

*blubs uncontrollably*

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 11:13, Reply)

Sorry about that!

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 11:27, Reply)

I did both
Private then state school. In hindsight I am glad I did both now as the private school experience really did develop my character quite strongly so by the time they got fed up me and kicked me out I was ready for state school. This post is boring and useless but I am sat here bored and wanted to play.
( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Thu 26 Aug 2010, 10:51, Reply)