How do I choose the right school for my child?

If your child is looking ahead to Senior School, you’ve probably already begun thinking about the school options available to you.

We understand this is a huge decision, so to support you, we’ve put together our top questions to ask yourself when you’re starting to look at independent schools for your child.

How does my child like to learn?

The experience of attending an independent school differs massively across schools. What kind of environment will your child enjoy the most?

Will they prefer a day or boarding school? Will they thrive in a single sex or a co-ed environment? Would they do better in a large school with lots of opportunities, or a smaller school with greater individual support?

You should also consider your child’s talents and the kind of environment in which they’ll flourish. Are they very academically gifted and will do well being pushed in a competitive environment? Or do they have talents in sport, drama or the arts and will do best at a school which offers them opportunities to pursue these subjects at a high level?

What opportunities are available for my child at this school?

Ask yourself what your child wants to get out of their school experience. Does the school have strong departments in your child’s areas of interest, and good exam results at GCSE and A Level if your child is particularly academic?

What extra-curricular clubs and teams are available to build on your child’s hobbies and talents or to try something new? What facilities make them stand out beyond other schools – perhaps they have a theatre for drama productions, or incredible sports facilities.

We’d highly recommend visiting each school you’re interested in for an open day or tour before making any decisions. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a feel for the environment yourself and hear directly from staff and students.

How will your child be supported outside the classroom?

One of the most important factors to consider is the support systems in place to support children at the school. Making the transition to secondary school can be a little scary at first, so great pastoral care is important for a smooth and happy transition.

Ask yourself how form groups are centred – are these all students from one year, or does the school have ‘vertical tutor groups’ where pupils across years are mixed together? Do they have a house system to expand friendship groups and create smaller communities within the larger student body? How is the pastoral system organised – who are they key players you and your child could approach with any challenges? What does the school do to ease the transition, e.g. introducing ‘buddies’?

How do others talk about this school?

Read about the school online – the Good Schools Guide and Talk Education are great places to start. How is the school talked about in the press?

If you know parents with children at the school, how do they talk about it, and what do they believe are its biggest strengths and weaknesses?

What impression did you get on your school tour?

Visiting the school in person with your child is one of the best ways to get a feel for the environment and whether it’s right for your family.

Try and visit each school and take a comprehensive tour to build an impression of each school. If you’re being shown round by a current pupil, ask them about their experiences of the school, both in and outside the classroom. If you can, ask to see pupils being taught to get a feel for the teaching style.

Ask your child what they thought – what are they enthused about? Or what worries have they raised?

What is the entry process?

Ask yourself what the admissions process looks like, and which exams your child will need to take. We’d highly recommend using a spreadsheet to track key information on each school so you can keep on top of applications – get in touch for our schools tracker.

Our experienced tutors are also on hand to support you throughout the entrance exams process, from preparing for the 11+, Pre-test or CAT4 through to interview preparation.

If you’re not sure where to apply, we’re here to help. Drawing on decades of experience as ex-headteachers of top schools, our expert schools advisors support parents to navigate the complex world of independent schools and give you the best advice on where to apply.

Get in touch to book a consultation today.