AD – this is a paid collaboration.
Choosing a school for your child is no straightforward matter; there’s so much to consider that it can feel quite daunting for parents, especially if it’s their first time. With that said, I have teamed up with an independent school in Buckinghamshire to share some tips and advice for parents to help them choose the best possible school for their child.
Think About Your Priorities
The first thing you should do is really think about your priorities as a family. For instance, if your child is musically inclined, you may want to look for a school that has an excellent music programme. Perhaps academic success is the most important thing for your family, in which case you should have a look at some of the previous examination results at various schools to find out where they stand in terms of averages. Maybe your child has special educational needs, which would shift your focus to finding a school that caters to those needs. Once you understand your requirements, then you can really start to narrow down your search.
Browse Online
Most schools have decent enough websites, allowing you to gain enough information about them to decide if it’s a definite no or a place you’d like to consider. Have a look at their curriculums, their policies and procedures, and browse the galleries to get a sense of what the facilities are like. Once you have ruled out the schools that don’t tick all of your boxes, then you can start booking in some visits.
Take a Tour
Now that you have a shortlist, you should be able to book yourself onto a few open events so that you can take a tour of the schools you’re interested in and speak with the staff and existing students. Have a list of questions ready before you go so that you don’t forget to address your key concerns. Take in your surroundings and consider whether or not you can see your child there long-term. Once you’ve made your decision, the application process can begin!
