Choosing the right senior school can be a daunting and anxious time for both you and your child. It is an important milestone and you want to ensure that you choose an education that is right for your child’s needs. You also want to ensure that the transition into their new school is as smooth as possible. So how do you go about making this key decision? Here are our top tips:
It is always helpful to do your due diligence so that you can make a longlist of schools. There are a variety of ways to do this; ask around, speak to friends, colleagues and family, or the headteacher at your child’s current school. Ask them what they think about these schools, then follow this up by checking out their websites, social media, inspection reports (Ofsted and ISI) and exam results. This may narrow down your choices and give you an indication of the application process and deadlines.
It is so easy to be caught up in the ‘school-gate’ conversations about which schools are the best. They may well have excellent reputations, but they may not necessarily be the right school for your child. Instead of starting with the school, start with your child: What strengths do they have which you would want them to retain and grow? Which areas do they need to improve on? Is it academics, confidence, or simply broadening their horizons?
From this, make a list of ‘must-haves’. Factors might include: academic results, levels of learning support, standard of sports coaching, range of co-curricular activities, to name a few. Further ideas for what you might want to include in your list are below.
We all know that academic results are important when choosing a senior school but it’s also important to look beyond the classroom and consider the wider offering. Make sure you ask the right questions: How will this school promote personal development? How much emphasis is put on mental health? Will this be the best stepping-stone for preparing for life beyond education?
Look to select a school that can offer a wealth of extracurricular and enhancement opportunities. These extra activities allow children to have experiences that may not be available to them in their current school, and equip them with a broader range of skills and interests.
You may also want to investigate how much emphasis is placed on building teamwork and leadership skills, self-esteem and resilience. These are the skills and characteristics that help to promote personal development. They often enhance academic performance through improved confidence, which in turn, helps pupils to achieve better academic results. They can also prove to be advantageous for university applications and for applying for jobs.
Investigate how different schools go about providing pastoral care, so you know your child will get the support and care they need to see them through the pressures of adolescence. Mental wellbeing is crucial, especially at this important milestone in a young person’s life, so a school that is equipped to deal with the challenges that young people face today, is essential.
Open Days are vital when it comes to choosing the right school for your child. They give you a flavour of what goes on, and provide an opportunity to look beyond the gloss of the website and the dry facts of the inspection report!
It’s important that both you and your child attend if possible, as each person will notice different things and have a different set of criteria when it comes to what is important to them. Watch your child’s reaction to see if the atmosphere sparks their interest.
Bring your list of ‘must haves’ with you. Consider giving each criteria a ranking during your visit so that you can easily compare schools.
Come with a list of questions. You will usually have the opportunity to speak with the current pupils and they will (hopefully) give you a true insight into what life is like at that school. Ask them about their routines, experiences and aspirations for the future. If current parents are on-hand to answer your questions, so much the better!
Attend the Head’s presentation if you can. The Head is the figurehead of the school and should clearly represent the schools ethos and culture. Ask yourself, do they align with your own values?
Once you have made your decision on which school you would like for your child, make sure you meet the registration and admissions deadlines. Some schools are highly oversubscribed and will not accept late applications.
The Admissions team is there to make your admissions journey as smooth as possible, so if you have questions, don’t be afraid to approach them. We also recommend that you make the most of the school’s transition and induction processes. Many will offer ‘taster days’ or ‘experience days’ to give your child a flavour of school life. Some will offer ‘welcome’ or ‘keeping-in-touch’ events so that your child can make new friends and you can meet other parents before they start school.
Hopefully, if you have considered all of the above, these opportunities will help to cement your final choice.
Samantha Greenwood, Senior Deputy Head, Pangbourne College
About Pangbourne College
Pangbourne College is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11-18 in West Berkshire.
Their next Open Morning is on Saturday 18 March. Booking is essential: