Inspection reports, websites, reviews and school league tables are all useful indicators of a school’s success but there is no substitute for visiting and having a look around. If possible it is always a good idea to talk to pupils at the school to get a sense of the type of student your child will become in that environment. Are the children confident, friendly and happy? When visiting a school it is advisable to take a list of questions to ask the person showing you around. Some examples of things to ask are:

• Typically, how many students are in a class?
• What access do boarders have to the facilities after lessons have finished?
• How much direct contact will we, as parents, have with teachers?
• Do you cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs?
• What is the percentage of school leavers that go onto university?
• What support mechanisms are there for those who struggle with maths and English?
• Are you considering offering any other curricula in the future like the IB or Pre-U?
• What clubs and extra-curricular activities are on offer for students, even if they aren’t boarding?
• How many hours of compulsory sport are there?
• Does the school offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or any volunteer schemes for students?

PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLES

Today’s primary school league tables are compiled from government data on 10 and 11-year-olds’ test scores in English, math’s and science tests. These tests – known as Sats – are taken in May each year at more than 15,000 state primaries in England.

The tables show the proportion of pupils who gained level four – the expected standard of a pupil in their last year of primary school – in each of the subjects. The data also reveals the “value-added” score for each school.

Private Education In UK

Once you have identified a Private School which is of interest, you should contact them for a prospectus. It is always best to use a consultancy service as well as your own search methods.

The most important way you will find out about Private schools, however, is by visiting them. Most Private schools have open days for prospective parents, but try also to make an appointment to visit on a normal working day.

Amongst the important things you should look out for are:

• The pupils: How do they look and behave? Do you have a chance to speak to them yourself?
• The head: How does the head deal with your questions? Does he or she show an interest in YOUR child?
• The staff: How well are they qualified? Is there reasonable staff stability?
• Pastoral care: Do the arrangements for looking after your child’s personal needs satisfy you?
• Discipline: Is discipline stricter or more relaxed than you would expect?
• Curriculum: Is it broad and balanced? Will your child have an adequate range of options?
• Exam results? Don’t be tempted to go just for Private schools which are high in the “league tables”.

Exam performance reflects Private schools’ academic policies and a high-flying Private School might not suit your child’s needs. Many Private schools admit pupils with a wide range of abilities.

If you are expecting more individual attention for your child, make sure the classes are small. Private schools vary: in most prep Private schools, classes will be between 15-20, but in some senior day Private schools they may be as big as 30.

In this edition, we have chosen The King’s School in Canterbury for more in-depth research and discussion for your benefit.

History holds it that the average Englishman prides himself of knowledge – acquired through education and training. Today! People from all over the world aspire to acquire English education; parents and guardians endeavor to train their children or young ones in England and Wales. Over the years, the most singular challenge especially for parents and guardians from abroad is how to find the right school for their young ones. In response to the piles of inquires from our esteemed readers especially from Africa.- Western Africa Magazine (WAM) is introducing this column to search and publish regularly answers to those basic guides on how to find the right school in England and Wales. This, as the first edition, we start with answers to key questions as follows.

TYPES OF SCHOOL IN ENGLAND & WALES

There is a wide variety of types of independent school in England and Wales. These are:

• All-Through Schools (Ages 2/5-16/18)
  Many schools take pupils all the way through from early ages to 16 or 18/19, though usually in quite separate departments or separate schools under the same management
• Pre-Preparatory Schools (Ages 2-7)
  Pre-preparatory schools – also called nursery schools or kindergartens – correspond to nursery and infants stages in local authority schools. In pre-preparatory schools children are taught to read, write, develop numeracy and learn to play. Pre-prep schools are often attached to specific junior schools.
• Junior Schools (Ages 7-11+ or 13)
  Junior schools, often called preparatory or prep schools, have a full range of subjects leading to admission to senior schools at 11+ or through the 13+ Common Entrance Examination.
• Senior Schools (Ages 11-18)
  These schools offer three years of general studies followed by two years for GCSE and two years for AS/A2 or the International Baccalaureate. Schools which admit pupils at 11+ sometimes have a lower school for children aged 11-13. There may be a special entrance examination to the upper school at 13.
• Senior Schools (Ages 13-18)
  Some boys’ senior schools still have the traditional age of entry at 13. These schools offer one year of general studies followed by two years for GCSE and two years for AS/A2 or the International Baccalaureate.
• Sixth Form (Age 16+)
  Many senior schools admit students at 16+, usually for two year AS/A2 courses, the International Baccalaureate, vocational courses or GCSE retakes.

How do I Decide Which School is best for my Child?

In the digital age of instant news, interactive review sites and numerous school league tables how do you decide which independent school is the best for your child?

Should I take notice of school league tables, that are produced by reputable organisations such as the Times and BBC?

Each year several organisations produce academic league tables of A-Levels and GCSEs as well as giving schools ‘value-added’ scores. The thing to remember with school league tables is that they all have their own criteria and methodology for calculating which school is the ‘best’. One thing to remember is that the ‘best school’ for one pupil might not be appropriate for another pupil. Every child is different and not all pupils will benefit from a school that is consistently at the top of the school league tables year on year. ISC represents all of its 1260 member schools equally so does not rank independent schools based on a set criteria.

Independent school year books are a great resource for reviews aren’t they?

There are many books that are published each year stuffed with reviews about many of ISC’s 1260 independent schools. They are useful tools if used in the right way but parents must remember that these are subjective opinions based on one person’s experience and not to be taken as gospel. Indeed, your thoughts on the school could be drastically different. So, as long as you keep this in mind they are not to be disregarded altogether. If you are looking for a more succinct report based on strict criteria it might be worth reading the Independent Schools Inspectorate’s (ISI) report on the school by visiting their website. As with all resources looking at independent schools it is always a good idea to put them into context and consider why someone is writing the review and who that person is. Are they looking to promote the school? Are they giving accurate advice? Once again, by all means use these guides but as a complementary resource along with other research.

How do I make the final decision?

All of these resources are available easily but nobody can make your mind up for you. Ultimately it is up to you to decide which school is best for your child. The independent sector is successful because of the flexibility its independence affords it. This means that you can choose a school that matches your child, effectively giving your child a bespoke education. Use the reviews, school league tables and websites but remember that none of these can even come close to experiencing the school for yourself. Visit the school and ask lots of questions!