Choosing the right school for your child is a huge life decision. So how do you choose correctly?
Know What You’re Looking For
Whether you are considering primary or secondary schools, you should always know what it is you are looking for. Get in and visit options as early as possible and know the questions to ask when attending tours. Key considerations should be the type of school, its size, its performance both academically and pastorally and its culture, core values and ethos.
Be Realistic and Practical
Sometimes you need to rely on location if your school operates a catchment area, but if you are considering a secondary school that is slightly out of the area, whether because of their selection of subjects or their SEN status, then you need to be realistic about how you or your child will make the journey. Getting on a bus to school doesn’t just add more stress to your child’s day, it also means getting out of bed earlier five times a week, which can lead to exhausted children at their limit.
Do Your Research
One of the best things you can do for your child is to research schools. You can do this in many ways – looking on school websites, websites for schools, parent forums and of course by looking up a school’s OFSTED score via the local authority. We also recommend speaking to parents and children of schools to find out the pros and cons they’ve experienced.
If you are heading up a school and want to showcase what your institution is all about, consult fsedesign.co.uk/websites-for-schools/.
Trust Your Gut
The best way to make your final decision is to go with your judgment. Even if a school appeared amazing on paper but didn’t match up to this when you went to visit, don’t just take it for granted that you must have misunderstood the vibe. Your opinion at the end of the day is what matters, and so does that of your child.