Choosing the right secondary school for your child can be an overwhelming experience; navigating the various open days and open evenings can be a minefield. Not only is there A LOT of information to digest in a relatively short space of time but it’s a HUGE responsibility!
To try and help you to see the wood for the trees, here are my top tips when looking at schools:
1. Be prepared.
Consider what your child is interested in. Make a list of what is important to you and your child, whether that’s sports, drama, technology or traditional academic subjects. What ticks your boxes?
2. Take the most important person with you.
After all, your child will spend a lot of time there over the next 5 years (or even more). Discuss the visit with them. How did they feel about the school, what did they like or not like and why? Consider making a list of ‘my favourite things were…’ and ‘I wasn’t sure about…’ as this might help you understand their anxieties and to find out more about some aspects of the school that you as the parent or carer hadn’t even considered to be an issue.
3. Try to avoid small distractions.
Lovely as they are, if possible, leave much younger siblings with a friend, relative or sitter so you can concentrate fully on the school visit!
4. Go armed with questions.
Write them down if you need to. Teaching staff will be all too happy to answer your questions and it’s important to ask those tricky questions and the answers might surprise you! If something is important to you and your child, ask it - and if you forget to ask, email it!
5. Beware the hype!
Most schools will produce a lovely glossy brochure and the headteacher will talk to parents and carers about why their school is simply THE best choice. When you get out into the corridors, speak to the student guides about their school. They tend to be incredibly honest! And, if you are feeling super sneaky, try to look in some of the classrooms that aren’t part of the tour. Are they the same standard as the other areas, or is there a reason why they have not been included? Ask why certain departments are not on the tour route.
6. How did you feel about the teachers?
Are they friendly, approachable and engaging? Are they knowledgeable? Do they seem proud of the school and engaged in the open day? How do they engage with the students? Did they talk to you, your child or both?
7. What’s the food like?
The school canteen/eating areas are the social hubs of the school so are super important for students but are often overlooked on open days. Take time out to check out these facilities and you might even get to try some of the food on offer - often better than you might remember!
8. What are the toilets like?
I know this sounds odd but it can be ‘enlightening’! Some schools are very reticent about letting you see the state of them and others are happy to let you and this tells you a lot about 'behind the scenes' at a school, behind the glossy prospectus.
9. Do a double take!
School open days/evenings will give a flavour of the environment, but do bear in mind that you are not seeing it in its ‘normal’ state, going about it’s day-to-day business. Many schools - though not all - will welcome visits during the day so it is worth arranging to go for another look. When you go back, try to speak to some students or teaching staff who were not at the open day and see what their opinions of the school are!
10. Logistics.
Just how easy is it to get to and from the school? Is it walkable, is there a safe cycle route, is there public transport or would you drive them there? Bearing in mind that they may not want you to take them to school quite quickly! Is the school close to home to encourage friendships, independent travel with friends and out of school activities? If it's a concern for you it could be useful to check out the outside of the school when students arrive and leave. What is behaviour like? Is the transport well organised?
11. Word of mouth.
Ask other parents what they thought of the school, maybe they have got older siblings in secondary school, what do they think? Are they happy with the school? This can be a useful indicator, but be mindful that all children are different and will experience and react to school differently.
12. Value-added.
Consider what before-school, lunchtime and after-school clubs are available. Is there something that interests your child as an extracurricular activity?
13. Ask your child's primary teacher.
What do the primary staff think of certain secondary schools? They may have some advice, especially if your child has special considerations, whether that be SEN-related, as a high achiever, or as a looked-after child.
14. Detective work.
If you get the opportunity, perhaps before a second visit, sit in the reception area on a normal school day for 15 minutes. You’ll get a really good insight into the culture and ethos of the school. Is it clean and welcoming? Are people friendly? Does it feel comfortable?
15. Got younger siblings?
Be prepared to do it all again! Siblings will have different needs from a school and it may well be that what's right for one may not be right for the other(s). It’s worth re-visiting schools again through the fresh eyes with each child.
So, what next?
The most important consideration of all is of course your child, and you are best placed to know what works for them. Ask yourself, are you confident your child will be treated and inspired appropriately according to their strengths? Match the school’s strengths to your child’s strengths. Who is going to make the final decision?
Your child may be initially swayed by schools where their friends are hoping to go. You can reassure them that they will make new friends in whichever school they go to, everyone starting Year 7 will be in the same boat.
I really hope this helps… Good Luck!
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