Choosing the right school goes beyond the table where your child will sit and a postcode. It’s the environment that your child will ultimately grow up in and find some of their life-long friends. Deciding on the school where your child will potentially spend the next 7 years is an important decision to make with lots to consider.
We have teamed up with an independent college in Berkshire to share our top tips for choosing a school for your child.
Familiarise Yourself with The Application Process
Doing research around the process itself before you apply is a great place to start. Local authorities usually have admissions guides available that outline how to apply and the criteria needed to be met for each school. You should also be able to find information from previous admissions relating to catchment areas and whether or not a school is oversubscribed.
Recent OFSTED Reports
Ofsted reports are a good indicator of school performance as they collate information such as SATs results and progress scores that are comparative to the national average. Scores look at the 3 main areas of reading, writing and maths to highlight if a school is under or overperforming.
Focus on Your Child’s Individual Needs
It can be easy to get swept up by attractive results and inspector findings but it’s important to keep your child’s individual needs in mind. This might be a school that has improved facilities and staff training designed for children with SEN or just somewhere that your child feels happy.
What is The School’s Focus?
Take time to find out what a school’s focus is. This might be for children to learn an additional language or an emphasis on STEM subjects. This is key to determining your child’s future and the career they may eventually lead.
This is a collaborative post.