Choosing which school your children will go to is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make as a parent, but how do you make that choice? Below are seven great tips to help you find a great school for your child:
Visit The School During the Daytime
It’s easy for schools to put on a polished sell during open days, to get a true impression of what the school is really like, visit during school hours when there students walking about. This will allow you get a feel for the atmosphere of the school and develop a gut instinct about whether it’s the right place for your child. Does the school feel like a warm and close-knit community.
Look at Progress, not just Exam Results
It’s easy to give too much weight to the exam results a school achieves, but this does not necessarily indicate that the school is getting the best from it’s pupils. For a better picture of how well the school performs when it comes to getting the best out of its pupils, visit the schools website and check out the achievements section. Pay particular attention to the expected progress statistics.
Respect not Fear
The very best educational institutions are built on an ethos of pride and respect. Whilst you walk around, pay attention to how the students wear their uniform, is there a sense of pride in the school? How do the students interact with their teachers? Are there signs of respect? Or are the children afraid of the faculty?
Is the School Open and Honest With You?
Throughout the application process, pay attention to how the school behaves towards you. Do you get the sense that they are being forthcoming and open with you when the answer your questions? The chances are that if they are being honest with you now, they will continue to do so in the future.
Do you Trust The Head?
The head teacher plays a particularly important role at any school, it’s therefore very important that they are open and approachable. Spend a bit of time getting to know the head teacher, if you feel that they are trustworthy and genuine, the chances are that you are looking at a good school.
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Does the School offer the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme?
Schools are not actually legally required to offer the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and in doing so, they place voluntary extracurricular requirements on the faculty. For this reason, if the school does participate in the scheme, it can be a sign that the teachers are committed to the school, and are willing to to above and beyond to help their students excel.
Look for The Inclusion Quality Mark Award
According to Ofsted, an inclusive school is one in which the well-being, achievements, teaching, learning, and attitudes of every student matter. Schools that have been awarded the Inclusion Quality mark offer inclusive education and provide equal opportunities for all children, regardless of background, gender, age, or ethnicity.
