7 minute read
All things considered
Seeing and interacting with current pupils at open days will help you envisage whether a school is the right environment for your son or daughter
KAREN GRACIE-LANGRICK, Headteacher of Colchester High School discusses the vital factors to consider when selecting the right school for your child, particularly post-pandemic
Speaking to parents, and also from my own experience as a parent of two children, a boy and a girl, I know just how di cult it is to make the right decision as to which school they should go to. Arguably, as a parent this is the most important decision that you will make for your family and for your own child. In choosing a school, there are many things that you may wish to consider: state or independent; boarding or day; single sex or co-educational; specialisms in music, drama, sport or art; academic results; the size of school; speci c religion; nurturing environments and level of SEN provision.
With so many choices to decide between, here are some considerations which I hope, will make that decision just a little easier for you.
One of the key features of an independent education – alongside consistently high academic standards – is the level of aspiration that it has for its pupils, and how the school instils in its pupils a strong sense of self belief. As such, experiences within a school should re ect that of a pioneer, aspirant and agile generation, providing opportunities for pupils to nd and use their voice and for social interactions, outdoor learning, wellbeing and development of the child’s character, rather than perpetuate connotations associated with that of a ‘lockdown generation’.
Parents should seek to explore how these expectations can be met through the breadth of a school’s curriculum and extracurricular provision, whether the educational experience encompasses a child-centric and holistic approach to learning and wellbeing (“be well; learn well, live well”) and if they foster a growth mindset within their pupils and the development of skills like leadership, compassion, and resilience.
For me, the sign of a successful school, is in the con dent, well-rounded pupils it produces. Given the current climate, society and education cannot expect to return to the world as it was before. As such, when choosing a school, it’s even more important for parents to understand how that school has re ected upon the past few years and adapted its teaching and learning priorities to ensure that the education that it provides e ectively prepares children to thrive within the 21st century. Lockdown has certainly fast-forwarded our understanding of the power of technology, and increasingly
A school’s extracurricular provision is a good indication of its approach to pupil learning and wellbeing
Consider whether a school’s curriculum is relevant for this generation of pupils
there’s an appetite to harness ‘new’ skills and to develop a curriculum which connects schools with learning at home and across the globe, while personalising learning, facilitating assessment and enabling pupil autonomy.
To this end, I feel that it’s important for both parents and their children to seek to gain clarity over the educational provision and school’s curriculum on o er. Schools can vary widely on this fundamental aspect, so, it’s important to ask questions such as: Is the curriculum su ciently relevant or motivating for the pupils? Does the curriculum encourage a global perspective and promote respect for diverse cultures, genders and viewpoints? Does it develop the critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and communication skills required for the workplace? Does it ful l the societal challenges and shi s of the digital age and educate towards sustainable and ethical practices? And does it su ciently enable the personal character development of young people? It’s the answers to some of these questions, that I hope will help to provide the clarity required to make that right decision for both you, and more importantly for, and with your child. Investment in knowledge, can o en pay the best interest – both in terms of enriching young minds but also in empowering them with the skills needed to become agents of change who will seek to make the world a better place.
Finally, when considering this most important decision, and at whatever age of your child’s educational journey, be it their rst steps in nursery, building a strong foundation in lower school or enabling an exciting gateway within senior school, it’s key that as parents you begin this journey by exploring the wide range of information that is available to you. For many parents, word of mouth is perhaps their rst start, however, for every child and every family, experiences can be very di erent – even in the same school. While this can be an important source of information, this needs to be balanced by your own research – from reviewing the school’s website to browsing an ever-increasing range of social media, before setting up taster experiences and attending open days. All of these hold valuable insights about the school and should be used as a guide to plan your rst visit to see the school.
THE ESSENTIALS
Choosing the right school for your child has never been more important. So, what steps should you take?
Do your research
Take the time to review a school’s website and social media platforms, listen to other parents, and look at their inspection reports. Use the insights gleaned to plan your fi rst visit to see the school.
Attend an open day
An open day provides you with the opportunity to meet the headteacher, sta and, most importantly, the pupils and to see the school brought to life. The tours of the school, usually undertaken by the pupils, will help you to gain a perspective of the school from those who are now very much a product of it, and to learn from them a great deal about the school’s strengths and even limitations. It’s at this stage that you may begin to determine whether you can imagine your own child in this environment, and how such a school will enable them to become the happy, confi dent pupil who is showing you around.
Meet the headteacher
A good headteacher will see meeting with parents as a vital part of the decision-making process. They will be able to communicate the school’s mission, ethos and values and give you a clear insight of the aspirations they hold for their pupils. Does this match what you hope for your child?
Attend a taster day
For your child to be happy at school, it is important that they want to be there. A taster day will allow them to try it out and to spend a normal day in their prospective new school, to familiarise themselves with the new environment, understand what will be expected of them and to meet their fellow pupils.
KENT’S OUTSTANDING AND AFFORDABLE BOARDING SCHOOL
Exceptional facilities, an all-round education, and a rich heritage: there are many reasons to consider the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, says Principal Alex Foreman
The country’s only state full boarding school (weekly boarding also available), the Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DOYRMS), offers an affordable option for parents seeking a boarding school with high standards of education.
Set on top of the renowned White Cliffs of Dover, the school’s 150-acre parkland estate offers unrivalled facilities and a wide breadth of opportunities for its students. DOYRMS, open to ages 11 to 18, is based on an independent-style model, with Saturday morning lessons and co-curricular activities throughout the week.
However, parents are only required to pay for boarding, as the government pays for the education. This means the inclusive boarding fee is only £5,166 per term (£15,498 per year, correct at time of writing). This fee covers full boarding, catering, laundry and more than 80 clubs and activities per week, including Combined Cadet Force and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, for which the school is an accredited centre.
Offering academic scholarships –which cover an 80 per cent reduction in fees into sixth form to students who excel in their GCSEs – makes the school even more affordable. DOYRMS also offers a limited number of sports scholarships in hockey and rugby. Progress figures for GCSEs place
DOYRMS in the top 2 per cent of schools nationally. At A-level, students average a B+, with 66 per cent of grades awarded at A*-B. In recognition of the exceptional academic standards, the school has achieved the SSAT Educational Outcomes Award 2020.
The award-winning school, with outstanding managers and leaders (Ofsted 2018), is hosting an open morning on Saturday 19 March. Book your place online now. www.doyrms.com
Open Morning
Saturday 19 March
Outstanding facilities, an all-round education and endless opportunities await you atThe Duke ofYork’s Royal Military School. Our full-boarding school, open to 11–18-year-olds, is placed in the top 2% of schoolsnationally for GCSE progress. Students benefit from excellent teaching delivered by managers and leaders rated Outstandingby Ofsted (2018).
