Education Focus: After last year’s virtual Open Days, schools are this year keen to welcome parents and pupils, writes Pippa Duncan
As if taking exams like the 11+ isn’t difficult enough for families, the stress of last year and only being able to visit schools virtually when you really want to get a feel of a place added extra pressure. Happily, this year, schools are offering a combination of visits, plus virtual tours, too.
While the virtual tours are great for getting an idea of what a school is like, nothing beats being met on the school grounds by boys and girls who have already passed the hurdles of entrance exams and interviews and can show you around the science labs, classrooms and the sports fields.
Covid restrictions means that most schools are offering appointed time slots, so make sure you have booked ahead for every school you would like to visit as only limited numbers of families will be able to attend.
Says, Catherine Stoker, of Independent Education Consultants: ‘Exceptional schools are not about expensive buildings and facilities. They are about strong leadership, inspiring teaching, good communication and a sense of community.’ She suggests talking to the Head or senior staff: ‘These are key people to the ethos and direction of the school, so you need to be sure you agree with their opinions on education and pastoral care.’
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
There is much an independent school can offer, not least a sizeable bill every term. Class sizes tend to be smaller, although not always by much, but it is the calm focus and expectation of learning that is attractive to parents, as well as often excellent facilities, whether that is state-of-the-art laboratories, a large performance theatre or onsite playing fields.
While private education used to be an option for just the wealthy, this is no longer the case. A parent could just as easily be a secretary as a lawyer, with around 32% of pupils having fee assisted places. Some schools are now aiming to have 25% of pupils fully funded by bursaries, giving bright children who would not normally have had the chance to attend, the opportunity to do so.
While you obviously want your child to get the best academic results they can, choosing the right school to suit their needs is more important than just going for the one that tops the League Tables. They could get better results from a smaller, more nurturing school, that maybe takes pupils with all levels of ability, than one that gets the highest A Level grades.
Most independent schools have superb sports facilities. Many have great playing fields and sports halls on site whereas other schools bus the children to sports centres and grounds elsewhere – which means you could be doing a lot of picking up after sports events.
Check what extra-curricular activities are on offer during the lunch hour and after school. Clubs and organisations are a great way for children to mix with others outside their class and helps them to pursue new interests.
Fees average around £13,600 per year, although this rises to £15,900 for London schools.
Scholarships are mainly available for academic skill, music, sport, drama or all-rounders. If your child excels in a particular area enquire about the exams. They are not means-tested but based purely on ability. However, there is a shift to giving bursaries rather scholarships.
Bursaries are means-tested and are awarded to families where it would not normally be possible to send the child privately, due to the cost. Schools are actively partnering organisations to help children get a partial or fully funded place. Different levels of bursary may be offered – often from around 25% upwards, but each school will have a different policy, so ask early on.
STATE SCHOOLS
Look at the school’s Ofsted report. Ofsted inspectors look at every aspect -from its pastoral care to the quality of teaching. While an Outstanding grade is wonderful, standards can go up or down in the years between inspections, so don’t dismiss other schools.
What the school’s academic results like? Do they generally go up year on year? Or are the results stronger in one area, such as the sciences, rather than another which could affect your child’s potential.
Look at their website to get an idea of what subjects they offer at GCSE and A Level and the kinds of facilities they have that would suit your child.
For secondary schools in London, you can list six choices, including academy and free schools – and remember, you can choose a school outside of your local authority. Make sure you put six down as if you put less and just include the schools you really want, there is a chance you make be given the least popular choice. Schools don’t know where you have placed them on the list.
Grammar or faith schools have admissions criteria, so check these before applying. If you have a sibling at the school, this may help your application, but not always.
WHERE TO FIND INFO:
Websites Before the virtual tours, look at each school’s website, which should not only have information on their facilities, fees and curriculum, but the ethos of the school and its pastoral care, too.
Blogs/videos Many schools already have blogs and videos on their sites. Take time to sit with your child and listen to interviews and chats.
Social media Most schools keep families up to date on what’s happening via Social Media, so check their posts.
Virtual tours Face-to-face visits have returned, but look at the virtual tours, too. They will help you to plan which parts of the school you may like to visit.
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