Choosing the Right School
There is a wide variety of different types of school in the UK; when choosing a school for your child, the first major decision you will need to make is whether to send them to a state school or an independent (or private) school. Admissions for state schools are coordinated by local authorities, whereas independent schools manage the process themselves.
Your Child's Needs
When selecting a school for your child, try to think about your child's personality and what their needs are. It may be that the school with the best results or reputation is not necessarily the best choice for your child. Ask your child their opinion; it's important to find what matters to them and where they'd like to go - even if you don't agree with them.
If they enjoy specific subjects such as languages, maths, music, sport or art, you may be able to find a school that has the facilities to develop their interests. Some specialist schools focus on one subject whilst still following the National Curriculum. If your child is very bright or has special needs, it's important to choose a school that is able give them the support they need.
When selecting a school, ask yourself the following questions:
- Which school does your child prefer? Why do they prefer it?
- Which school are your child's friends going? Is it a good idea to stay with those friends, or would it be better for them to make new ones?
- If your child has particular interests, is the school strong in this area?
- If your child is particularly bright, or needs special help, will the school be able to cater for them?
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
Researching the School
Whichever style of school you choose for your child, it is essential to do some research before you apply. Find as much information as possible about the schools you are interested in so that you can work out which ones will suit your child best.
1. Search for Suitable Schools
Contact your local authority to obtain a booklet about all the schools in your area. This list will give you details about each school, such as:
- their admission criteria
- important deadlines
- how many applications they receive each year
- how many pupils they admit each year
- how many pupils the school has in total
- how to obtain further information
To obtain information about independent schools across the UK, contact the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
2. Obtain a Prospectus
Once you've drawn up a list of suitable schools, contact each one to obtain their prospectus. This is a brochure produced by the school, which will give you more details about the school, its policies, facilities and its admissions policy.
3. Check Achievement and Attainment Tables
Achievement and Attainment Tables for schools and colleges are produced every year by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). These list National Curriculum test results for every school and can give you an indication of how well each school or college is doing.
4. Check Inspection Reports
An Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) report is available for every school in the country. These reports are produced by the Government's school inspectors, who look at the standard of teaching and pupil achievement. They also talk to pupils and parents and study how well the school is managed.
Independent schools are similarly inspected - either by Ofsted or by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Full reports for state-maintained and independent schools may be found on the Ofsted or ISI web sites.
5. Visit the School
Once you have made a shortlist of schools, make arrangements to visit each one in person. This will give you the opportunity to see the school first-hand; to tour the school, meet the staff and have a look at children's work. You can learn a great deal by observing the pupils, the teachers and the way they work together. Most schools hold open days or evenings or you can ask to visit the school on an ordinary school day and speak to the headteacher.
When you are at the school, consider the following points:
- Does the school encourage parents to get involved?
- How close is the school to your home?
- How will your child get to school? Will you have to drive or take public transport?
- When your child is older, can they safely walk to school?
- How welcoming does the school feel?
- Will it suit your child?
- Does it appear to be a happy school where everyone is serious about learning?
- Are you impressed by the children's work on display?
- Is the school well equipped?
- Do the children have access to computers?
- What sports facilities are available?
