It’s peak open day season, and families all over the UK will be busy whittling down their shortlist and trying to get the best possible sense of whether a particular school might suit their child. So, what are the most important things to consider? For our latest View from the Top, we’ve handed over to Martin Barker from Westbourne House School to hear a prep school head’s perspective on choosing the right senior school for your child…
While finances are undeniably front of mind for many parents choosing an independent senior school, hopefully when you have got past that hurdle, you will be able to enjoy a fulfilling journey of finding the perfect senior school for your child. One that really sees them thrive as they grow into adulthood.
So, ask yourself a question – what does ‘thrive’ actually mean to you? Is it success in academia, resilience and a ‘can do’ attitude, friends for life, the chance to be challenged, extra-curricular opportunities, or perhaps preparation for the future workplace? In reality I suspect it will be a blend of all of these factors.
To board or not to board is an early question that I ask. Quite simply, boarding opens up a larger number of options. Boarding has of course changed markedly over the years, with many schools a great deal more flexible in their offering. In my view, independence and being better able to manage friendships, as well as diverse personalities, are still the most compelling arguments for boarding.
Then quickly follows the question ‘how would you like family life to look when your children are teenagers?’. Many of you will be considering senior school choices when your child is in Year 5, and barely 10 years old – have you even begun to imagine your children as teenagers, with all that goes with that phase of life?! It is a serious consideration, and particularly relevant if you are choosing a school with some level of boarding - how close will that school be in order for you to attend matches, concerts or other school events?
So having sorted those questions out, the journey begins in earnest. Is a school a good fit for my child? You should be heavily reliant on your prep school head to give you the best and most current advice – a school may have changed over the years and so your perception of it may be out of date. As head of Westbourne House School, I visit senior schools and catch up with heads and staff on a regular basis. Academically, many schools rely on pre-testing and CAT scores to inform their admissions process, but will take account of a school reference and an interview. Again, your head should be able to give you a balanced picture as to whether a school could be in reach, or too challenging. You do, of course, have to manage the crystal ball somewhat here – a child’s academic performance at 10 years old may not match their potential. Finding a school that your child will enjoy is also important – if your child is a football aficionado, then selecting a school that only plays rugby won’t necessarily work.
I would say that the optimum number of schools to visit would be four, but this is obviously a personal preference. Sometimes it is worth visiting a school that you may not think you like, but use it to compare and contrast with other schools. Make sure that the culture of the school fully fits with your aspirations and expectations.
Open Day or private visit? If you are able, do both. Open days are selling events designed to impress and do give you a feel for the school. However, you don’t get to see how the children interact on an average day, or how the teachers interact with each other and the children.
What happens if something goes wrong for your child at the new school? You would certainly want to know that your child is being looked after if there are any instances of bullying, or they are struggling with their work. How robust are the support systems in terms of picking up issues, and also dealing with them?
Also important to know is how a school is ‘future proofing’ your child’s education. Clearly, the world of work is changing and new skills, adaptability, curiosity and positive attitudes are needed – how are these skills and attitudes being cultivated?
‘The school’ for you may become obvious very quickly, but for many it may be a difficult decision, particularly given your child’s tender age. In which case, keep your options open – what may look like a reasonable choice in Year 5 may not look quite the same when your child is in Year 7. Make sure you are clear about when deposits are required by the senior school and liaise all the while with your prep school head to help make the right decision.
Good luck!