Important factors in choosing a school
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You also need to think of your child. Will he or she fit in and like the school? Some schools focus on academics whilst others focus on more. They will all say that they focus on the whole being. However, some value non academic acheivment.
If you are unsure, then visit the school at home time and watch the interaction of the children.
If you are unsure, then visit the school at home time and watch the interaction of the children.
It is great advice but unfortunately its almost impossible to get an impression of these schools. Eton has 60 tours a year, mainly full of tourists who pretend they have a son, so you never get to see anything, and Winchester is just as closed. I did go and see a co-ed school which was very open and a pupil showed me round but that's rare with the so-called "top" schools.
Re academic + right schools
General musings for everyone here: See if the results are batched in "A-C" grades or more specified and look for a reasonable percentage getting As or A*s. As long as some children are achieving the top grades that should hopefully point towards capable teaching. If there are generally low grades in certain subjects or if there is a distinct lack of top grades overall that should generate some thoughts.
I always think that just looking at the children is telling - do they look happy, enthusiastic etc. or do they look like school is a chore?! Ultimately
the most important thing is for them to be happy and to be able to look back one day and think, 'yes, I liked my school'. Our job is to find the right schools to suit our children and it may not be the school/s you would personally like them to go to.
I always think that just looking at the children is telling - do they look happy, enthusiastic etc. or do they look like school is a chore?! Ultimately
the most important thing is for them to be happy and to be able to look back one day and think, 'yes, I liked my school'. Our job is to find the right schools to suit our children and it may not be the school/s you would personally like them to go to.
Hi Tipsy
Perhaps you could look at it the other way round. Think about what you have not liked at DCs other schools and then consider whether either of these two are similar. I'm unclear what the issue was but I would guess avoiding a repetition would be key! Ultimately if the school won't let you get a good feel for now, how are they going to work with you if there is a problem going forward? Do they think attendance there is such a privilege that any problems must be yours not theirs?
Perhaps you could look at it the other way round. Think about what you have not liked at DCs other schools and then consider whether either of these two are similar. I'm unclear what the issue was but I would guess avoiding a repetition would be key! Ultimately if the school won't let you get a good feel for now, how are they going to work with you if there is a problem going forward? Do they think attendance there is such a privilege that any problems must be yours not theirs?
mad?
Thanks for all the advice. The parents I know at DS prep school are so sure of their decision whereas I'll be feeling there may be compromises with whatever one I choose. I suppose not feeling 100% confident about a school may be a good thing because if I thought it was perfect it woud be a serious let down. I didn't think DS prep school was amazing but now he's there I do.
Perhaps once these schools have taken a non-returnable deposit from you they would be happier to respond to a special request for you to watch a few lessons, chat to some pupils, wander round a bit more freely, nose in a few exercise books.
Otherwise you will have to try some undercover investigation routes - get a job there
Otherwise you will have to try some undercover investigation routes - get a job there