Friday 03rd September, 2010 
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Parent Power

Choosing your Child's School

Olly Goldenberg

What is education?

Education has been compulsory since 1880 in the UK. When it comes to education many people think of the "three Rs': Reading wRiting and aRithmetic. However, education is far broader than this. It is not simply the obtaining of information and skills, but the shaping of character in preparation for adult life. As a parent you no doubt want your children to thrive and excel in all areas of their lives. For this to happen they must be in the right environment.

Schools today

There are two basic types of schools: state schools, which are free and private (fee-paying) schools.

The state schools are overseen by the Local Education Authority (LEA). Some are owned by charities. In some schools the LEA controls admissions and employs the staff, while in others the governing body is in charge.

Primary schools are for children aged 5-11 and secondary schools take children aged 11-16. There are four key stages of learning that your children are a part of, according to their ages.

The Key Stages

Key Stage 1 - Ages 5-7 - Primary School Key Stage 2 - Ages 7-11 - Primary School Key Stage 3 - Ages 11-14 - Secondary School Key Stage 4 - Ages 14-16 - Secondary School

How to choose the right school

The right school is one where your children will thrive. Different schools will suit different children. The following steps will help you as you prayerfully seek a school for your children.

Step 1: Private or state educated?

The first choice is whether you want your children to be educated in a private or state setting. Most parents will have financial constraints or strong views that will answer this question. Just because a school is private does not mean to say it is better. It is well worth looking at their entry requirements to see the standards they expect of their pupils. The remainder of this section will focus on those who choose to send their child to state schools. Many of the principles will also apply to choosing a private school.

Step 2: Which schools are near to you

The next step is to look at what schools are local to you. This information can easily be found from your local authority (you may also want to look at schools in a neighbouring borough). Many local authorities have information booklets about their application procedure and the schools.

Step 3: Shortlist the schools

Draw up a shortlist of schools in which you are interested. There is plenty of information available to help you with your choices:

  1. Brochures issued by the schools (ring them up to ask for one).
  2. Talk to other local parents and their children.
  3. Read through the latest school inspection reports by OFSTED. These are available from the schools, the library or online: www.ofsted.gov.uk
  4. Read the schools national league tables. These show how well the schools performed in the various key stages. However, remember that a school in a more disadvantaged area may be doing an amazing job, but still be lower on the league tables compared to a school in a more privileged area. Compare the local schools.
  5. Many parents are influenced by whether or not the school is linked to a church. The majority of church schools are either Anglican or Catholic. Although these schools do not necessarily seek to employ Christians they do all adopt a Christian framework for education and are often the schools that are excelling most academically as a result. Some of the Catholic schools will be strong in teaching Catholic doctrine to the children. Consider this carefully as many children get confused as to what the truth is, when they hear ideas contrary to those that they hear at home and church from others whom they think of as Christians.

Step 4: Visit the schools

Once you have narrowed down the number of schools, arrange to visit those on your shortlist. Most schools have open days and allow parents to call up and make an appointment to visit. If you are applying to a secondary school then why not aim to take your child with you - after all they are the one who will be going to the school. Essentially on the visit you should be looking for a good atmosphere and a high standard of work. As you visit don't be afraid to ask questions.

Signs of a happy school with high morale

  • A welcoming atmosphere around the school entrance
  • Cheerful, friendly children
  • Staff and children lingering at the end of the day
  • Work displayed with pride
  • A relaxed attitude between children and staff and among the staff (not just the teachers, but the secretaries, classroom helpers and other support workers)
  • An atmosphere of concentration and hard work (though don't expect absolute silence in most modern primary schools!)
  • A high level of parental/carer involvement

Bad signs

  • Staff who seem harassed or unwilling to talk (though most teachers are very busy, so use your judgment)
  • Too much noise - particularly shouting (by either the children or the teachers!)
  • Poor displays of work, especially if they haven't been changed in a long while
  • Rudeness or hostility on the part of the children

Signs of a good standard of work at the school

  • Children who answer and ask questions
  • Children who can explain not only what they are doing, but why
  • Children who aren't afraid to get things wrong once in a while
  • Displays - both of work and of information - that have a high level of content
  • A variety of work - both in content and method (e
    • g practical activities as well as writing)
  • A well resourced school with computers, DT, sports, drama and music facilities

Bad signs

  • Too much work that has obviously just been copied out of books
  • Children who can only give rote answers
  • Beautiful displays of children's work that actually have very little content

Step 5: Make an order of preference

Put your schools in order of preference. In theory, you can apply for a place at any school. In practice, some schools are more popular than others. Your child is more likely to get a place at a popular school if they live close by, and/or if they have a brother or sister already at the school. However, neither of these guarantees a place.

This means it's a good idea to apply for places at more than one school - including the one closest to your home. The individual schools will be able to tell you exactly how to apply.

Step 6: Apply to the school or Local authority.

Many local authorities in London have a combined application form, where you fill in one form listing the schools in the borough that you wish to apply for in order of preference. Other local authorities want you to apply direct to the schools. Some church schools require you to complete separate reference forms as well as applying to the local authority. If in doubt, ask.

Step 7: What if ...

If your children do not get into the schools that you wanted, consider appealing (appeals are rarely successful, unless key information is missed out from the original application). Discuss, with the LEA, where there are available places and work fast because the longer you wait the less choice you will have.

Time line - when to apply

The earlier you plan the more informed your decision about schools will be.

Start thinking about schools two years before your child is due to start. Children start primary school in the academic year when they turn five and a place in nursery does not guarantee a place in the school. Note that if you start too early the school may change substantially by the time your child starts and if you leave it later you may not have all the time needed to do the research.

Do your preliminary research before the summer holidays as many schools close down over the summer, administratively, and so you may not be able to access brochures if you leave it later. Many schools hold open days in September and October so you may wish to plan your visits around them. Find out from your LEA the best times to apply and when the deadlines are. Dates vary, but secondary schools require applications before Christmas (even as early as October) in the year before your child is due to start.

Applying for schools can be daunting, but it is well worth devoting time and energy to finding the right school for your child.

Useful websites:

www.parentscentre.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk