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What to look for in a school

There’s over 50 different ways that parents compare schools, grouped here into six broad categories.

Whether you're starting your search, or starting again, here’s some new ideas on what to look for in a school. You can decide what's important and what's not.

Type of school

  • What makes a good school and how to spot one
  • Prep school fees and value for money
  • All-through schools; pros and cons v standalone schools
  • Moving between state and independent schools
  • Independent school, maintained school or academy?
  • When a successful school becomes too successful
  • Boarding schools. What you need to know
  • Selective school education; is it better?
  • Do church schools provide a better education?
  • A single sex school or a mixed school?
  • A short history of education in England
  • After the fees come the school fee extras

School results and achievements

  • Academic results; independent schools v state
  • When a school is good at sport; sporting excellence
  • Artistic excellence; when a school is good at the creative arts
  • Academic competition; bridge, chess, debating, maths…

Breadth of education

  • Prep School curriculum; skills and knowledge
  • Outdoor learning in prep and primary schools
  • What is a broad creative arts curriculum?
  • What is a broad sports curriculum in schools?
  • Do school accreditations mean anything?
  • Character Education and the curriculum
  • What is a broad academic curriculum?
  • What’s the point of a broad education?
  • How broad is a broad curriculum?
  • Pupil participation in school teams and activities
  • Educational school trips and guest speakers
  • Social and community education in schools
  • Common school curricula and curriculum styles

Quality of teaching

  • Mental health, wellbeing, and mindfulness in schools
  • Home schooling is becoming more popular. Is it for you?
  • Should I hire a private tutor for my child?
  • Lesson observation; watching the teacher teach
  • School class sizes and pupil teacher ratios
  • Subject specialist teaching in schools
  • What is pastoral care and safeguarding in schools?
  • How much homework should my child be doing?
  • Teaching the More Able, Gifted and Talented child
  • Ability setting and streaming in schools
  • School reports and parents evenings
  • Special Educational Needs provision in mainstream schools
  • Popular teaching styles; Mastery, Growth Mindset…

School facilities

  • Blended Learning; what you need to know
  • School sports facilities; how do they vary?
  • School academic facilities; how do they vary?
  • School arts facilities; how do they vary?
  • Typical facilities in UK schools
  • Why choose a school nursery?
  • The school careers department come of age
  • Do better school facilities mean a better education?
  • What’s so special about a sixth form centre?
  • Out of hours and wrap around care at school

School look and feel

  • Good behaviour and school discipline
  • What you can tell about a school from its teachers
  • The strange lure of the school’s notable alumni
  • Is an attractive school really a better school?
  • What school pupils tell you about a school
  • How important are Headteachers when choosing a school?
  • What does a Headteacher do to help your child?
  • The Parents’ Association

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