This is a collaborative post.
Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision that can shape their academic journey and personal development. I know for us, choosing the right school for our children was such a big decision. There are so many things to consider and it seems like such a big decision. In this post, I share some of the factors that we looked at when deciding which school our children attended.
Of course, we know it’s not always as simple as choosing a school – so often the decision is taken out of parent’s hands as the choices are so limited due to the local area.
Education:
Obviously an important one. You can check online for official stats like Ofsted results and P8 scores at Compare Schools Government Website.
Obviously, we all know of schools that have the reputation for pushing children, for being more relaxed, for concentrating on exam results or perhaps focussing on sports more. It’s really up to you to decide what you are looking for in a school.
I would say, take reputation with a pinch of salt though and perhaps make an appointment to meet with the Headteacher to get their opinion of what they consider important in a school.
Extracurricular Activities
This prep school in Herts suggests that education is not limited to the classroom and I completely agree that a well-rounded school experience involves a range of extracurricular activities.
Our middle daughter thrived when changing school in Year 4 as she had access to a wide range of sports, arts, music, clubs, and community service opportunities. By joining in with extra curricular activities it also helped her feel part of the school quickly and make friends with her classmates easily.
Class Size and Teacher-Student Ratio
This wasn’t really a factor for us to look at as class sizes around here tend to be the same no matter the school. In some more rural areas though, you may find merged classes and a wider age range if the school is much smaller.
Facilities and Resources
Just because a school is much smaller doesn’t mean to say that they may not be as well resourced or stocked. Many small rural schools, share facilities (as well as sharing sports days and school trips) so always worth asking the question.
A well-equipped school with modern facilities, a library, science labs, and technology resources can enhance the learning experience.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Consider the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the measures in place to ensure all students feel welcome and supported. Our middle daughter is dyslexic and we spoke to a few schools to find out what they could offer her.
Location and Commute
I’d say this is probably the most common deciding factor for families. Don’t under estimate the convenience of the school’s location in relation to your home or workplace, and consider the transportation options available. We decided for our middle child that it was worth travelling that bit further for a school that was right for her.
Friends attending
I hear this one all the time and this is the factor I discount the quickest. Just because your child is friends with another little one going to a particular school, doesn’t mean that they will continue to be friends throughout their school life. It also doesn’t mean that they can’t continue to be friends if they go to different schools – This has actually worked in our girls’ favour that they have friends outside of their school friendship groups.
Of course, no matter how much research you put into choosing the right school, it may not always work out. If so, don’t panic – You might find these posts on How to win a school appeal and What to do after a school appeal useful. I’m always happy to answer questions on changing a child’s school if you have them. So far, we’ve changed one primary school and one secondary school and it has worked out for the best both times.
You may also find this post from In the Playroom useful on Things Kids Need To Know Before Starting School.
About 2 Adults 3 Children
2 Adults 3 Children is a family with 3 daughters, aged 13+. They live near Liverpool and share the best events happening in the North West plus their travels further afield.
