OPEN DAY STRATEGY

Samantha Greenwood, Senior Deputy Head of Pangbourne College, on what parents should focus on at open day events

Open days are essential when it comes to choosing the right school for your child. They are an opportunity to look beyond the gloss of prospectus and website and the dry inspection report.

At Pangbourne College, we recommend you attend any open-day event with an open mind. You may have already formed an opinion from friends, but try to set it aside. Every child is di erent and you are seeking the school that best fits your needs, not someone else’s. Our key tips are:

Attend as a family It is particularly important that you and your child attend, if possible, as each person will notice di erent things and have a di erent set of criteria.

Have a list of questions You will usually have the opportunity to speak with current pupils to get insights into what life is like at the school. Ask them about their routines, experiences and aspirations. If current parents are on-hand too, so much the better.

Take the tour This is important for getting a sense of the life of the school. On some open mornings you may be able to select how you tour the school – self-guided or pupil-led. There are advantages to both. A pupil-led tour would give you that perfect opportunity to ask lots of questions, but you may be restricted to a route the pupil takes you on. If you are on a self-guided tour, you will have the freedom to explore at your own pace. This also allows more focused time in the departments that are of most interest to you and your child.

Create a wish list What are you looking for in a school? Consider giving each priority a ranking so that you can easily compare schools before and after your visits. Criteria might include standard of sports facilities, quality of pastoral care and range of co-curricular activities.

Attend the Head’s presentation The Head is the figurehead of the school and should clearly represent its ethos and culture. Ask yourself if their perspective aligns with your own values and aspirations? Culture is also a broader question to consider when you speak to other sta , parents and pupils.

Look beyond academics We all know that academic results are important when choosing a school, but it’s also important to look outside the classroom and consider the wider o ering. Questions you might like to ask are: How do you promote personal development? How do you support mental wellbeing? How do you prepare young adults for life beyond education?

Be mindful that open events are there to impress potential parents and pupils. If you like the look of the school, it is a good idea to arrange a follow-up visit during a ‘normal’ school day. This will give you a truer sense of the day-to-day environment and atmosphere – reassuring you that the open event you attended has been a true reflection of the school.

SAMANTHA GREENWOOD Senior Deputy Head Pangbourne College