Choosing a school

Each year around 90% of parents are successful in getting one of their preferred schools for their son or daughter.   However, many have put a great deal of time and thought into deciding which school offers the best for their child.   While most parents are satisfied with their nearest or local school, for a great number of parents there are reasons why they choose alternatives.

For some this could be based on faith.   For others based on social aspects of life.   And for others, the standard of education offered at their local school just isn’t very inspiring.

Finding out as much as you can helps you to make an informed decision about which school you want your son or daughter to go to. Ask yourself what you - and your child - need from a school, and start gathering information.

When deciding which school is best for your son or daughter, be honest.   Talk to your child about what he or she wants from school.   You may not agree with what they say, but an important part in helping your child feel happy at school is to involve them in the decision.   And they could come up with important points that you haven’t considered.

Draw up a list of things that are important for you, your family and particularly your son or daughter.   What are the top attributes you need from a school?   When you know what sort of school you want, you know what to start looking for.

Here are some of the questions you may want to ask of yourself, your child and the schools:

• Which school is most likely to offer a good education?  
• How important are the social aspects of education to you?  
• How does the school perform in league tables?
• Does the school offer a specialism that suits your child’s interest?
• Does the school encourage the involvement of the local community?
• What sporting facilities and opportunities are available?
• What music/art or other activity is offered that your child can engage with?
• How does the school perform when compared to similar schools?
• How important is “league” position to you?
• What sort of facilities does the school have?
• What did Ofsted say about the school?
• What awards has the school attained?
• Do you need childcare?
• Does the school have before/after school childcare?
• How are parents welcomed into the school?
• Are parents active in school associations?
• Does the school easily attract parents to the governing body?
• What sort of activities take place after school?
• What support is given to children with special learning needs?
• Are children “streamed”?   If yes, how?
• How does the school promote independent thinking skills?
• How does the school promote creativity in the whole school curriculum?
• What opportunities are available for extra-curricular activities?
• Does the school have links with business?
• Does the school have links with schools in other parts of the UK, Europe or elsewhere?
• What is the average teacher-to-pupil ratio?
• What is the average adult-to-pupil ratio?
• What is the behaviour like in the school?
• How does the school handle bullying?
• Is being able to walk to school important?  
• Is being able to walk to school with groups of friends important?
• If you can’t walk, is there a school bus?
• Are you eligible to receive free home to school transport?
• How strict are uniform rules?   Do you have to buy from a particular supplier?
• Is the school well funded?   Does it operate within budget?
• If there are large surpluses, why isn’t this being invested in the current pupils?
• How much of your family life are you prepared to be dominated by school and before/after school events and activities?

You probably can add lots more to the list.   Some of the questions may not be relevant to your situation.   However, they do answer whether the school is proactive in seeking creative ways of simulating young people.   A school that has the motivation and commitment to working with the local community, engaging with business and / or the creative arts, is probably very confident in its ability to deliver a good standard of education to its pupils.

While league tables can be an indicator of a school’s performance, it should be looked at carefully.   For many schools, the difference between 8^th and 18^th place in rankings may only be a very small percentage difference.   In addition, schools lower down the table may offer greater “added-value” in helping young people from less advantaged areas to perform better than may have been expected.   Also, schools that do well one year may take a “dip” the following year depending on the dynamics of the particular group of young people.   In addition, some schools that perform well in league tables may do so by focusing on passing exams at the expense of developing the whole child.

You can find a lot of information about schools by going on line.   Your local authority’s website should have links to schools, so you can see what schools have to say about themselves as well as giving attainment date.   You should also find links to Inspection reports (Ofsted).   If you can’t go on line, check out your local library, which should hold published information on local schools.

Most importantly talk to other parents and visit the school.   Is this the kind of place you want your son or daughter to go to each day?   Most schools will offer open evenings or open days to let you look around the school.   How welcoming is the school?   What evidence can you see that values and celebrates the young people being educated there?   How are the staff?   Can you approach them and talk to them easily?   Do they seem enthusiastic about their work?

Listen to your instincts and trust that you know which the right school is for your child.

Applying for a school place?

Your local education authority should provide you with information about schools in your area.   The basic information provided includes:   the name and address of the school, who the admission authority for the school is, the admission number and how many applications they received for entry in the last school year.   You should also be provided with the admissions policies for each of the schools.

The local authority should give you as much information necessary to make your application.   If you are applying for your son or daughter to start school or change school at the usual time, you should be told when the closing date is for applications.   You can apply for a place at more than one school.   However, you should be realistic about your chances of getting a place.     The information on how many applied in the previous year should give you an indication of how popular a school is likely to be this year.

Choice Advice

Choice Advice is a service   provided by local authorities. Choice Advisers provide independent advice to parents, in particular to help those who might find the admissions process from primary to secondary school difficult.

You have the right to say which school you would prefer your son or daughter to go to.   However is no guarantee that you will get a place.   If there are more applications than places, others maybe ranked higher than you.   However, if there are less applications than places, you must be offered a place.

If you get a place at the school you want – congratulations.   If you weren’t successful – or you know someone who didn’t get the school of their choice – look around this website and see what you can do next.