Leamington and Warwick Living May - Jun 2024

Top Tips
when considering an
independent school
Every parent wants to give
their child the best start
in life, and this naturally
includes choosing a school
that best suits their child’s
needs. For many this can be a
daunting task, and it can be hard
to know where to start.
An independent education remains a
popular choice for families, with lots
of different schools to choose from
including day and boarding, singlesex
and co-educational, and schools
with specialisms such as in the arts
or sport.
Open days give families the
opportunity to see first-hand
whether a particular school is the
right fit. Some schools continue
to run virtual open days in the
aftermath of the pandemic, making
it possible for families to explore
what a school has to offer from the
comfort of their own home.
There are many different aspects to
consider when attending an open
day, so to help ease the process,
here are some top tips for parents
considering an independent school
for their child:
NARROW DOWN
YOUR CHOICES
If you live in an area with a number
of good schools nearby, create a
shortlist and take time to plan your
school visits. For parents with a
limited choice of local schools, the
‘Find a School’ tool on the isc.co.uk
website is particularly useful, as it
enables you to refine your search
by distance, day and boarding, age
range, fee assistance options and
more! If you are considering a school
which is further afield, it’s worth
making a day of it so you and your
child can get a feel for the area.
THINK ABOUT
THE SCHOOL’S
SPECIALISM OR
FOCUS
All independent schools are
different, offering unique specialisms
and strengths. Ask yourself what
type of school would best suit your
child – are they sporty, academic or
creative? If you have an academic
child you might like to consider a
selective school, whereas if your
child is very creative, you might
prefer a school with excellent arts
provision and facilities.
DON’T BE AFRAID
TO ASK QUESTIONS
Teachers expect parents to be
inquisitive and are well prepared to
answer questions, so ask teachers
everything you want to know; it is
always best to speak up if you have
any queries or concerns! Important
areas that you might ask about
include class sizes, the subjects
on offer, methods of assessment,
extracurricular activities and
pastoral support.
It would also be worthwhile
learning more about how the
school communicates with parents;
it’s important that you feel wellinformed
and able to discuss any
matters pertaining to your child’s
progress or wellbeing. If you are
considering a boarding school for
your child, take the opportunity
to find out more about the on-site
accommodation, flexi-boarding
options and what activities take
place over the weekends.
Chat to pupils as well as staff and
ask them about their experiences
at the school. Much can be learned
from observing their behaviour – do
they seem happy, confident and at
ease in their environment, are they
engaged with their lessons and
wider activities?
MAKE A FOLLOW-UP
APPOINTMENT
An open day allows you to build an
impression of what type of school
is on offer. So, if you are happy
with what you see, book a followup
appointment with the school.
This will enable you to speak more
personally with the headteacher
or registrar and provide another
opportunity to ask any further
questions or raise concerns you
might have.
The independent sector is diverse,
with a huge array of schools and
approaches to education on offer.
Make the most of your open days,
and use the experience to guide you
as you choose the right school for
your child.
26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk