Choosing the Right School

There is a wide variety of different types of school in the UK; when choosing a school for your child, the first major decision you will need to make is whether to send them to a state school or an independent (or private) school. Admissions for state schools are coordinated by local authorities, whereas independent schools manage the process themselves.

Your Child's Needs

When selecting a school for your child, try to think about your child's personality and what their needs are. It may be that the school with the best results or reputation is not necessarily the best choice for your child. Ask your child their opinion; it's important to find what matters to them and where they'd like to go - even if you don't agree with them.

If they enjoy specific subjects such as languages, maths, music, sport or art, you may be able to find a school that has the facilities to develop their interests. Some specialist schools focus on one subject whilst still following the National Curriculum. If your child is very bright or has special needs, it's important to choose a school that is able give them the support they need.

When selecting a school, ask yourself the following questions:

• Which school does your child prefer? Why do they prefer it?
• Which school are your child's friends going? Is it a good idea to stay with those friends, or would it be better for them to make new ones?
• If your child has particular interests, is the school strong in this area?
• If your child is particularly bright, or needs special help, will the school be able to cater for them?

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

Researching the School

Whichever style of school you choose for your child, it is essential to do some research before you apply. Find as much information as possible about the schools you are interested in so that you can work out which ones will suit your child best.

1. Search for Suitable Schools

Contact your local authority to obtain a booklet about all the schools in your area. This list will give you details about each school, such as:

• their admission criteria
• important deadlines
• how many applications they receive each year
• how many pupils they admit each year
• how many pupils the school has in total
• how to obtain further information

To obtain information about independent schools across the UK, contact the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

2. Obtain a Prospectus

Once you've drawn up a list of suitable schools, contact each one to obtain their prospectus. This is a brochure produced by the school, which will give you more details about the school, its policies, facilities and its admissions policy.

3. Check Achievement and Attainment Tables

Achievement and Attainment Tables for schools and colleges are produced every year by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). These list National Curriculum test results for e...