Private Education In Focus

Private Education In Focus

Choosing the right school for your child is likely to be one of the most important and sometimes most difficult decisions you will make as a parent. If you choose the right school you can put your child on the path towards life-long learning and in the future, a successful career – if you are looking at private education, where do you begin and what do you need to know when researching and applying for a place?

Whether you know them as independent schools, private schools or public schools, they are essentially the same as they receive no funding from government and rely on tuition fees, gifts and charity backing. There are many good private schools locally and the private education sector is proving to be a popular choice for parents, gone are the days when private schools were just for an elite few.

When asked why they have sent their children to a private school, parents say they chose a private education due to the excellent sporting facilities often available, the opportunity to study classical subjects like Ancient Greek and Latin which typically are not on offer in state schools, and the unique networking opportunities that young people can enjoy, in the short, medium and long-term future.

Whatever the reason for choosing private education, the most important thing is to choose the right school for your child – what is a good school for one child may not be right for yours. Choosing is a process of elimination, it is important to view several. If the first school you visit feels right make sure you see others to confirm this, create a list of what you would like when you start looking at schools.

Ask, what is important to you and your child? Including location, before and after school provision, sport facilities, help with learning difficulties, support for gifted and talented children, after-school clubs, and its religious outlook. Arrange personal visits or go to an open day, take your child with you – they will see things from a child’s perspective. Talk to the children at the school – are they motivated?

Private schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum, however, like state schools, they are inspected to ensure they are up to standard. Reports are published online by the organisation who inspects them including – the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), the Independent Schools Inspectorate, the Bridge Schools Inspectorate or the School Inspection Service.

Importantly, think about money, what will you need to pay? Consider family life, does the school offer Saturdays? If you are considering boarding, what type do you choose? How much contact do you get?

If you decide to apply and can pay the fees, what next? Most senior schools use the Common Entrance exam, those at prep schools are coached to sit these exams but you can get a tutor to help your child.