| The try-before-you-buy aspect of Independent | | | | your child so don't be put off from asking valuable |
| schools flinging their doors open to prospective | | | | questions: |
| parents is great for both experienced and | | | | How many pupils go on to Oxbridge? |
| non-experienced parents alike. With the school | | | | What is the percentage of school leavers that go |
| open day season beginning as soon as schools | | | | onto university? |
| return from the summer break they have | | | | What support mechanisms are there for those |
| become an essential part of the process of | | | | who struggle with maths and English? |
| looking for an Independent school. | | | | Why have you chosen the exam boards that you |
| Schools are becoming more and more flexible and | | | | have? |
| the term 'school open day' has become a fluid | | | | Are you considering offering any other curriculums |
| concept. Prospective pupils and parents are now | | | | in the future like the IB or Pre-U? |
| invited to interactive classroom sessions, school | | | | Many children also take advantage of various |
| tours, music evenings, lunch with the head as well | | | | Cadet Force initiatives, such as |
| as a host of activities designed to show the | | | | Combined Cadet Force, which teach leadership |
| school at its best. | | | | and team work. Many schools even offer a BTEC |
| Open days are great at giving a 'flavour' of the | | | | in leadership as a result of pupils' participation in |
| school in order to help you decide if it's right for | | | | CCF. The school day doesn't have to begin at 9 |
| your child. Many schools will even allow current | | | | and end at 5 and many parents choose a weekly |
| pupils to give tours around the facilities, and you | | | | or flexible boarding option, allowing their children to |
| can use this as an opportunity to see the sort of | | | | take full advantage of the after school activities |
| young person that your child will grow up to be. | | | | that are on offer. Students are not confined to |
| Current pupils are a great advert for any school | | | | the school premises either as schools are very |
| and they'll give honest and frank answers to any | | | | keen to organise trips abroad for history, |
| questions you might have. | | | | geography and modern foreign language purposes. |
| It is a good idea to visit schools well prepared and | | | | Pick up any school's newsletter and you'll find |
| having a list of questions in mind to ask when | | | | details of groups of students trekking off to |
| viewing the school can give you an idea of the | | | | some far flung destination. Independent schools |
| type of school it really is. Some examples of the | | | | offer so much outside the classroom so it's up to |
| types of questions you should be asking when | | | | you to discuss with the school the activities that |
| visiting a school are: | | | | would most benefit your child: |
| Typically, how many students are in a class? | | | | What clubs and extra-curricular activities are on |
| What access do boarders have to the facilities | | | | offer for students, even if they don't board? |
| after lessons have finished? | | | | How many hours of compulsory sport is there? |
| How much direct contact will we, as parents, | | | | Does the school offer Duke of Edinburgh or any |
| have with teachers? | | | | volunteer schemes for students? |
| Do you cater for pupils with Special Educational | | | | It is all well and good reading inspection reports, |
| Needs? | | | | flicking through prospectuses and surfing school |
| Open days are also the perfect opportunity to | | | | websites but it is only through visiting the school |
| discuss curriculum with the school. Independent | | | | that you will really get a feel for what it is like. |
| schools offer an array of choices for parents | | | | The students who are already there will also give |
| when it comes to curricula and qualifications and | | | | an insight into the type of young adult your child |
| it's up to parents to do the research and pick the | | | | will become once they leave. If the school you |
| one that will best suit their child. | | | | are considering is a prep school it is always a |
| The one-size-fits-all approach to education is long | | | | good idea to ask which senior school your children |
| gone in the independent sector and it's now up to | | | | are likely to go on to. |
| the parent to choose the right school for their | | | | If you are a parent and are worried about making |
| child. Schools are always happy to discuss with | | | | the right choice for your child the best thing to do |
| parents how the curriculum on offer will benefit | | | | is simply to pop along to an open day! |