Feels like 5 minutes ago since Charlie started school and now we are starting to visit Upper Schools for next year! How is my baby boy already in Year 8! Blink and you miss it. Choosing the right secondary school for your child can be a stressful experience. There are so many considerations, such as location, Ofsted reports and reputation.
To help relieve some of the pressure involved in choosing the right secondary school for your child, St Christopher’s have put together this helpful advice…
- When you start searching for the best secondary school for your child it is important to make a list of what is most important to both you and your child. Listen to what your child wants from their new school and what factors mean the most to them. This may include staying with existing friends or particular sports clubs. Always include your child in the decision making and arrange for them to visit potential schools.
- Once you have compiled your list, you can then start to research your most suitable schools. You can look up Ofsted reports online and you can also learn a lot about individual schools using their websites. To get an insight into the school’s reputation you can search online for reviews or speak to other parents about their experiences. If your child is particularly interested in one area of the curriculum, such as music or art, you may also want to make sure the school has good facilities and enthusiastic teachers in this area.
- The best way to choose the right secondary school is by visiting them. If possible, try and arrange a tour of the school on a normal school day or observe the children at home time. This will give you a true insight into life at the school, as opposed to an open day which can feel a little rehearsed. When visiting prospective schools, it is important to consider how safe and clean they appear, how well the teachers interact with your child and your overall gut instincts. Can you see your child there?
If you are currently looking into the next school stage for your child please do share any top tips below.
This post complies with my Disclosure Policy
Found this useful wondering how you can show me your appreciation? Well, there are some ways you can say thanks and support my website: ➡