The value of open mornings

Upton House School, Windsor looks at the value of open mornings

At a time when parents can enjoy a virtual school tour from the comfort of their own home, are Open Mornings a soon-to-be abandoned relic, or do they remain a vital date in the school calendar?

The stereotypes stick; paintbrushes out and gardens spruced before the hoards arrive, children on best behaviour and parents offered incentives in the shape of hastily branded marketing materials (mini rugby ball with the school logo on, anyone?) or fancy pastries.

Parents can easily be put off by the attention and this approach, unsure of what questions to ask and where to put their trust – not to mention their hard-earned cash.

But the truth of the matter is that when it’s done right, the Open Day has a critical place at the heart of forming that important relationship between prospective family and school. At Upton House, we grab the opportunity to share our love for our setting with future pupils and their families by showcasing our offering at its finest. Our aim for the day? That prospective families find our love for learning infectious and will want to be part of the Upton community.

As a busy day school in the centre of Windsor, Upton House has a lot of passing traffic. Our reputation is widely regarded and we champion an all-rounded education that sees pupils progress to their chosen senior schools with confidence, determination and a unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Do we see the value in an Open Morning? Yes we do . . .

An Open Morning isn’t simply a strategy to boost registrations. Instead, it’s an opportunity for our staff and pupils to focus on presenting the school to a new audience with pride. Let’s face it, completed registration forms don’t automatically lead to new starters - so we rely on our best assets to let the school shine - our staff, our current pupils and their families who create the feelgood ‘buzz’ of the school all on their own. Yes, parents at an Open Morning may possibly enjoy a bacon sandwich but they’ll also benefit from meeting current pupils, engaged with their learning and taking part in all their normal extra-curricular activities. They will see areas of the school that are potentially off limits during normal tours and it’s a great time to check whether the buildings have clearly had a hastily applied coat of paint, or whether they are wellmaintained and cared for. Parents will often get to meet representatives from the PTA and enjoy inspiring talks from the Head and will be able to ask the Registrar the all-important questions relating to pupil numbers, leaver destinations and the application process.

It may be more comfortable to stay at home and tour a school online but the opportunity to meet your child’s future teachers and hear from current parents who have bought into the same education setting as you plan to is worth every step away from your sofa.

www.uptonhouse.org.uk

Excited to announce our opening on 7th January!

Based at Bray Lake on the Windsor Road, Little Muddy Me is a 'solely outdoor' preschool where children aged 2-5 can discover their natural surroundings in a nurturing, safe and secure environment. They will climb trees, use tools, swing on hammocks, play in the mud kitchen, hunt for bugs, cosy up and read in the tepee and cook on a camp fire.

For more information please email muddyme@littleme-preschool.co.uk 07900 396423 | www.muddyme-preschool.co.uk

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