Finding the ONE
Choosing a school can seem like an overwhelming task, so where do you begin? Laura Bursey Faulkner, Director of Admissions at Rugby School, Warwickshire takes you through the process
Just as families compile a list of non-negotiables when buying a house, searching for the right school should start with what’s important to you as a family. Listen to your friends and relatives, but ultimately, you should be guided by your own research and instincts. First off: single sex or co-ed? Day or boarding? If boarding, full, weekly or flexi? A big or a small school? Are the school’s religious or spiritual beliefs important to you?
Location: A day school needs to be accessible. Does it provide a dedicated bus service? If you’re choosing a boarding school, should it be in a town or in the country? How easy will it be for you – or guardians or other family (if you live abroad) – to attend concerts, sports fixtures, plays?
Independent schools teach their own curriculum, usually broader than state schools teach. As well as preparing students for GCSEs and A-levels, many teach the International Baccalaureate or offer BTEC subjects. You’ll want to know recent exam results; the teacher-student ratio; whether the school’s academically selective. How do the teachers stretch the most able and support those who need help? Perhaps your child has Special Educational Needs. What’s the level of assistance for university entrance and apprenticeships? What about careers advice? If you’re looking at prep schools, do you want one that’s part of a group that includes a senior school?
If your child is sporty, you’ll want to check out what’s provided – not just team games, but dance and yoga – and links with specialist academies and clubs. If your child is musical, which instruments are taught, how many choirs and ensembles are there? Do any students attend junior conservatoires (a good indicator of performance levels)?
A big added value of an independent school is its co-curricular provision. This used to be called extracurricular, but most schools now regard performing arts, music, sport, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, community projects and membership of school clubs as just as important as what goes on in the classroom.
Perhaps the most important deliberation is who will be looking after your child. Pastoral care is central to the success of a child’s school experience. You want to be confident in the staff who are responsible for their overall
PASTORAL CARE IS CENTRAL to the
success of a child’s school experience. You
want to be CONFIDENT IN THE STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WELLBEING
IF YOU SENSE THAT YOU AND
YOUR CHILD will be happy at the school, that it feels right, YOU’VE PROBABLY CHOSEN THE RIGHT ONE
wellbeing and happiness.
If your child will be boarding, make sure that the ‘ full’ boarding provision really is that, not just a handful of students left in the boarding house on a Saturday night while everyone else goes home. What activities are arranged for evenings and weekends? The house structure is important. A vertical one will accommodate approximately 10 students from five year groups. A horizontal system is where whole year groups live together.
Obviously cost is important. What are you getting for those termly fees? What extras are you expected to pay for? Ask about scholarships and bursaries initiatives. Are there sibling deals? What about fee increases? Is there an investment programme?
By now, the list of schools that match your criteria will be more manageable, so it’s time to visit them. Aim for four.
It’s advisable for parents to make their first visits without their children, who can be easily impressed by things that you may not regard as crucial. Modern technology studios are only as good as the teaching staff who use them. Observe how students and staff interact with one another. Is there a palpable harmonious relationship as you walk around the school? Can you hear chatter and laughter? Glossy marketing campaigns and gorgeous grounds don’t tell the whole story.
Sign up for an open day. Check that you can meet pupils, staff and parent ambassadors. They give the low-down on what the school is like. If you’re considering boarding, ask to tour two or three houses – and try to stay for lunch.
If you sense that you and your child will be happy at the school, that it feels right, you’ve probably chosen the right one. Then it’s over to your child, who will face interviews and academic assessments…
Choosing a school is a major decision. Do your research, make your visits, ask as many questions as you need to and don’t worry if they might seem insignificant. They aren’t.