Top Tips for Choosing a School for Your Child

Whether you’re moving to a new area, taking your child through the transition from primary to secondary school, or you’ve changed schools for a different purpose, you should aim to do enough prior research before deciding. We’ve looked to the advice of a boarding school in the UK to share some top tips for deciding which school is the best for your child and their needs. 

Arrange open days 

Now that the world is opening back up we’re able to consider open days at certain schools. If you still prefer to do virtual open days though, plenty of schools now offer this option. An open day, whether virtual or in person, allows you to see how the school is exactly run.   

Parents are able to ask questions about the curriculum, what kinds of extracurricular support children have and ask the Headteacher about any concerns or requirements your child may have. 

Do your research 

It goes without saying that research is paramount to how you get to decide the best school for your child, including arranging open-day meetings. But you should go beyond just the basic level of research – read reviews online; and understand the school’s main aims and ethos – do they align with yours? The school might offer the Cognia Charter School Accreditation program, this is closely aligned with charter renewal processes, and with its rigorous performance standards, it is there to complement any core values you may have. It is worth checking out what accreditations the school might offer because these are the basis for the education that will be received.

Have a look at what other parents in your local area think of the school, or if your child is friends with students that already attend a school you’re interested in.

Learn about local links to the school and transportation 

It’s easier to decide which schools are right for your child if there are easy links to the school from your home. Is there a regular bus service the school provides? If you’re willing to drop your child off, is there an easy-to-use drop off area? It shouldn’t be the determining factor of your final choice but it does take the stress away every morning. 

Does this school also give back to its community? Do they hold regular events and charitable efforts to support the local area? Again, it wouldn’t be a huge factor, but it does mean your child has the chance to take part in more activities aside from their studies. 

Speak to parents and your friends in the local area 

Most students tend to go to the same schools together, but if you’ve moved to an entirely new area you’ll have a bit more homework to do. Ask around your neighbourhood and gather their own thoughts on schools. You can also refer to online school guides and government information that will show you the success rates of the schools, performance data and inspection data.  

Parents in your area will all know each other and have had these conversations with others before, so you’ll be in good hands. And it can be helpful to know your child would be in good company if they were feeling alone. Moving to a new school can be a lot of stress for a child, so prepare them for the transition by helping them find friends local to you and hopefully attending the same school as your child.