Before blowing the mortgage money on your darlings' education, consider also - are they going to really benefit. If they are not academically inclined, they may not be happy in such an environment, although those who are aiming for sporting achievement are also well catered for. It should be all about what suits your child, not what suits you.

I would also mention that there are outstandingly good free secondary secondary schools - Eltham, St. Olave's - though competition for places is intense. And the posh schools do all offer bursaries and scholarships to encourage those who aren't minted to apply.