Although we live with a system where many parents will not always have a choice due to waiting lists and finances, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing a school as this is where your child will get a good start in life and aid to their long-term development.
1. Does the school meet my basic needs?
Whilst it is tempting for schools to be on the top of the list, first make sure the school is meeting your practical needs. What is the start time of the school and how easy is it to get there? Location will play a role for many parents. Is it near public transport and if not, is it easy to for you to take your child to school that coincides with your other commitments? Now with many parents working from home, location may not be as big of a factor when choosing a school.
2. What is the student-teacher ratio?
When assessing a school, it’s important for parents to consider how much individual attention their child will receive. What is the student /teacher ratio and does the school offer teacher’s aide or other parent volunteers? This is not necessarily a deal breaker if the ration is higher than 15:1 but it is worth asking about tutoring groups and assessing whether your child would benefit more from a school with a lower student/teacher ratio.
3. How are behaviour problems handled?
It is important to know the school’s disciplinary policy. Bullying has been a problem in adolescence for decades and it is important that schools have a strong anti-bullying policy in place and that staff have received anti-bullying training.
4. What distinguishes one school from others?
Many schools, both state and independent, have special focuses. These may be music, the arts, technology, language, sport or science. It is important to get a clear sense of their commitment to this focus and if it coincides with your child’s interests, strengths and personality. If the school does not have a pedagogical philosophy, ask what the school is most proud of. Is it up to date with computer lab and well stocked library? What are their values?
5. How much homework is there?
Will there be daily work and how much time is expected for work each night? Do schools have 2 hours a night policy and do they expect work to be done over weekends, breaks and school holidays? Do they have a holiday book reading programme? It is important that the school has a policy.
6. How do schools support different learning styles and needs?
All schools have needed to adapt to different learning styles due to the pandemic, but it is worth checking what the school’s policy is on accelerated learners or programmes for those with special needs.
7. What after-school activities are available?
If your child needs after-school care, find out what classes, sports or other activities are offered. Do they offer courses on art, music, drama, science or offer free play? Do they have a chess club or other mental stimulation games? Do they provide any transport or is there a practice field near the school?
8. What is the physical environment?
If your child needs plenty of room to run during play time, recess or PE, how much open space does the school have available? Does the school have an atrium or garden? Safety is always important and make sure the layout includes social distancing with proper entrance and exit signs.
9. How are teachers supported and held to a high standard?
It could be a challenge to understand the professional culture of a school but is worth asking if teachers collaborate and have a unifying vision from their students. Do they cover material in a similar way and all have the same level of standards?
10. What is the schools’ expectation for its students?
We hope all schools will want its pupils to reach the highest standards of testing, but it is good to know where most post-school pupils go and what the college intake is from the school.