School of thought

WHEN it comes to choosing a school, it’s often the small things that swing it—tempting kitchen smells, the loving welcome from the headmaster’s labrador, an unguarded comment from the pupil designated as escort. But, in the current virtual world, will expensive aerial shots of imposing architecture, acres and shiny facilities have an unfair advantage over small, but atmospheric establishments where it’s hard to convey a winning atmosphere if corridors are empty?

The Good Schools Guide (www. goodschoolsguide.co.uk) agrees that nothing can replace ‘that intuitive feeling’, but points out that virtual tours and open days are here to stay (School life, page 105). ‘We advise parents to look at what is being shown, rather than how it’s shown,’ advises managing editor Melanie Sanderson. ‘Parents do need to do their own research and shouldn’t judge on the presentation of the tour itself. A brilliant presentation doesn’t mean it’s the best school for your child. One prep school I know books parents in on an individual basis, which can work well for a small prep that’s a mix of great facilities and a few dusty corners because parents will find it endearing. It means the head can do the tour themselves, tailoring it individually.’

As well as reading its own detailed reviews of 1,200-plus independent schools, The Good Schools Guide suggests that parents should make a spreadsheet of points—too many virtual tours tend to blur into one—canvas other parents, follow the school’s social media, which can be revealing, or simply telephone the school direct as, given the pandemic situation, ‘only the most illustrious and in-demand establishments can afford to be blasé’.