For many parents, choosing a school for their child is one of the most important decisions they will ever make. Here are 8 top tips to help:
1) Visit the school
Ideally, visit the school yourself. There is no substitute for breathing the air, stalking the classrooms and using your intuition. If this is not possible, and you are based abroad, or relocating, use an experienced independent education consultant with connections to your preferred schools, who will advocate for you. This person should be an education expert and ideally a parent themselves who has children in the same school system.
2) Speak to the teachers.
And don’t be afraid to ask probing questions: are they happy, do they like the head, do they feel supported in their work? Notice how the teachers interact with the children- are they warm and caring?
3) Speak to the children.
Many schools use current pupils to show you around. As above, ask relevant questions, especially about pastoral care.
4) Ask your child
The school is for them, after all. You may hanker after St Paul’s, but your child may be better suited to Bedales.
5) League Tables
League tables have their place, but do not rely on them. Many of the best schools refuse to partipicate in them anyway.
6) Word of mouth
Do not under-estimate the power of the parental grapevine. Schools can change remarkably quickly. News of a staff resignation, bullying or inadequate teaching travels likes wildfire through parental networks and well before any inspectorate or Ofsted gets a whiff. If you don’t know any parents at the school, use an independent education consultant whom you trust.
7) Don’t worry
Yes, choosing a school for your child can be challenging. But very few schools are truly terrible. And remember that….
8) Your decision is not set in stone
This simple fact takes the pressure off.
If your child is unhappy at your chosen school, you have the power to change this. There are some scenarios that you cannot plan for such as the other children in your child’s form group: they may be wonderful, but they may be little horrors. Make it clear to your child that any issues that arise can be resolved – and that in life, it is to ok to change a decision.
We have just returned from our latest visit to Moscow and as always, received a warm welcome from our partners, clients and friends in Russia. More than ever, conversations were focused on the internationalisation of education. In an increasingly global world, we want our children to be multilingual and to have the opportunity to work anywhere. We look forward to working with you all throughout 2015.
Congratulations to all our students who have achieved outstanding results. Good luck at your new colleges and universities. As usual, it has been a pleasure working with you all.
