Does your child have a particular interest that you want the school to nurture such as:
- music
- sport
- languages
- vocational studies
- academic studies
- Does your child have specific learning needs?
- Does the family have particular religious beliefs or educational philosophies?
- Are out of hours school care and vacation care important?
Location
- Is it important that the school is close to where you live or work?
- What transport is available?
Check the locations on Our Schools page to see which schools are in your area
School Characteristics
- Is it important that the school is single sex or co-educational?
- Is the size of the school important?
- Do you want a pre-school, a primary school, a secondary school, or a combined primary and secondary school?
- Are boarding facilities important?
- What is the school’s educational philosophy?
- What are the school’s values?
- What are the facilities?
- What does the school offer that makes it unique?
- What is the average class size?
- What is the school’s disciplinary code?
Curriculum
- Does the school have a comprehensive curriculum?
- How does the curriculum meet the needs of your child?
- How does the school challenge and extend students of all abilities?
- Does the school have a homework policy?
- What is the access to computer facilities?
- What co-curricular activities are offered such as, sport, music and camps?
- Are any of these activities compulsory?
- Is there an additional charge for such activities?
Assessment
- How your child will be assessed and how is assessment reported to parents?
- How does the school measure its performance?
Pastoral Care
- What structures are in place to ensure a caring and nurturing environment in the school?
- How does the school provide support for students with specific learning, language and/or cultural needs?
- What policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety of students such as child protection and bullying?
- How is career advice given?
Parental Involvement
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- What opportunities are there for parents to be involved with the school through a parents association or volunteering?
Cost
- What fee levels are you prepared to pay?
- What are the arrangements for paying fees?
- Are there additional costs for text books, uniforms, excursions and extra-curricular activities?
- Are scholarships or bursaries available?
School Visits
- Ask for a copy of the school’s prospectus
- Check the school’s website. Some have a ‘virtual tour’.
- Make an appointment to take a tour during school hours to see how teachers and students interact.
- Ask if the school is considering making any changes that may affect your decision, such as altering teaching methods or school philosophy, or going coeducational.
- Involve your child. Attend together school activities such as drama performances or concerts, carols nights, art exhibitions etc.