How Can You Find The Best Schools For Your Child?

Most worthwhile parents hope for the best for their children. That’s likely as uncontroversial a statement as you’re going to read today. That being said, how we care for our children and the priorities we set can differ from parent to parent. For some, curating their friends list is as important as anything else, to make sure they’re among good influences and healthy families.

For others, it may be setting boundaries, or teaching the importance of sharing and hard work. But almost all parents would likely agree on one thing - giving your child the best education they can experience is a good thing. Does that mean you have to pay for private education? Not necessarily. Many state or public schools can be just as nurturing an environment, especially when staffed by teachers who deeply care about their jobs.

But finding the best school for your child, private or public, means being mindful of a few lifestyle factors to potentially help them gain the experience they most deserve. In this post, we hope to help you nail that outcome:

Where you live can not only be important for determining which schools your child can attend, but it can outright guarantee them a place. Almost all schools have specific catchment areas, including the top-performing ones, and living within these boundaries can increase your chances of securing a spot them over other children from further afield.

It's worth researching the catchment areas of schools you're interested in before making any big moves though, as well as acceptance rates. Some parents even choose to relocate to be within the right area if needed, speaking to local real estate services to get a better handle on the area. While this might seem extreme to some, it shows just how important education is to many families.

Remember, though, that catchment areas can change over time, sometimes even yearly. It's a good idea to keep an eye on any proposed changes that might affect your child's potential spot. Also, don’t forget that living in a catchment area doesn't always guarantee a place, especially for very popular schools or high-performing schools that require entrance fees and academic exams to attend.

A school's prospectus can give you a great deal of insight into its general ethos, curriculum, and wider facilities. They’ll often showcase the grounds and classrooms throughout the imagery, but just remember that any school pamphlet is supposed to make the institution look as appealing as possible. Look to the important points, such as the subjects offered, afterschool activities, and any special programs the school might have.

In some cases, it can be inspiring to look into the school's alumni too. Where have former students ended up? Have they gone on to great universities or successful careers? While this isn't everything, nor does it mean the school had a major effect on a gifted child who grew into someone notable, it doesn’t exactly reflect poorly on the school. It’s not something you’d make a full decision over, but perhaps it could tip the balance a tiny bit.

Some schools even have “alumni networks” or events where you can meet former students, or have been looked on fondly by people that did well. That’s a great sign.

Of course, nothing beats actually seeing a school in action. Many schools will offer open days or tours for prospective parents and students - no matter the fees and no matter how difficult it is to gain a place. These days can be great for both parent and child in getting a feel for the school's general atmosphere and culture.

During these visits, focus on how the students interact with each other and with staff. Are they engaged in their lessons? Do they seem happy and well-supported? Is the place clean and well organized? These can be good signs to follow.

Don't be shy about asking questions during these visits, even if you notice something different laid out in the brochure. You’re not being difficult, you’re finding out about somewhere you might send your child.

If you can, ask about class sizes, teaching methods, and how the school handles things like bullying or academic struggles. It’ll give you a good sign of how the school responds to all that.

Every school has its own unique culture that developed over time and may specialize in certain areas. Some might hold traditions going back centuries that seem bizarre today, but that you can appreciate the heritage of. Some schools might have a strong focus on sports, while others might have perfected the arts or sciences. Often, this determines where the funding lies.

But of course, it’s not just about subjects and grades. Culture includes aspects like discipline policies, dress codes, and overall values. For example, maybe it’s important to you to have religious study and daily prayer as part of your experience. Maybe you’d prefer to avoid that. Both are correct answers depending on your family's needs.

Of course, if your child has a particular passion or talent, it’s smart look for schools that can nurture that. A school with a strong music program might be perfect for your child who wants to really get involved with the program. It might even be you’re willing to accept a “less quality” school overall if one of their programs or specialisms is among the top in the country. This can happen, especially where sports are concerned.

Education can be expensive, especially if you're considering private schools which can run into the tens of thousands a term or semester. But of course, don’t let that necessarily put you off exploring all your options if it’s still roughly within your budget. Many schools can offer grants, scholarships, or educational bursaries that could make them more accessible than you might think to begin with.

If you can spend time researching what financial aid might be available, you might find something worthwhile. This could include need-based assistance, sports scholarships, or grants for specific talents like music. Don't be afraid to ask schools directly about their financial aid options too - they’re here for a reason and you’re not asking too much by trying to become aware.

For state schools with no fee involved, understanding how they're funded can give you insight into the resources available. Schools with better funding might be able to offer more programs or have better facilities of course. Now, a better school is not always one flush with cash, but the hard reality is that yes, funding makes more educational opportunities possible.

If you're looking at state schools, there are often official reports or ratings available that can give you an objective view of a school's performance. In the UK, for example, this is the duty of OFSTED. These might include general test scores, rates of completion, and educational course quality based on a rating like “satisfactory, good, outstanding” etc.

While these reports can be useful, just remember that they don't tell the whole story of a place. A school might have average test scores but offer an incredibly supportive environment or excellent after-school programs. Or, that school that only seems “satisfactory” might have been “poor” for years previously and have gained massive funding to make huge improvements.

Use these reports as just one tool in your decision-making process, but don't rely on them solely.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily find the best schools for your child. It’s the least they deserve.