FAQs
Should I choose a co-educational school?
Many parents have firm views about single sex or co-education. The best performing and happiest schools fall into both categories. Single sex schools, especially senior independent schools, are aware that students are best prepared by ensuring they develop the social and emotional skills to engage confidently with both halves of society. Consequently, they will provide many opportunities for all year groups to work and socialise with their male or female counterparts. Drama workshops and ‘socials’ are two common ways of encouraging integration.
A boarding or day school?
In short, we would never encourage a child to be a day child in what is ostensibly a boarding school and vice versa. Parents often choose boarding school for their children because these parents know their children can spend time socialising with a wider range of other students; they are able to plan and organise their work more effectively at school; they can enjoy a variety of extra- curricular activities and learn to be independent. Some parents we advise will say that they never want their children to board and others will send their children to board aged eight. Neither choice, obviously, is wrong. In our opinion, boarding promotes great pastoral and social values and is a vastly better option than used to be the case even as recently as ten years ago.
A small or large school?
Again this will depend on the student. If your child is socially confident and competitive, a large school may well suit them. However, a quieter and more self-conscious child may prefer the intimacy of a smaller school.
A school that is popular with your friends?
Your friends will have lots of different, often conflicting ideas, about schools. With our help, you will be able to view several appropriate schools and decide on the best one for your child. Do not underestimate your intuition when making this decision. Mums are especially good at feeling what is right for their child. Crucially, your child must also be a fundamental part of the decision making process and be encouraged to view the prospective schools.
A school that is high up in league tables?
League tables will give you a broad idea about how good the staff are at preparing your children for exams and the quality of students it admits. League tables offer a limited window into the soul of a school.
A feeder school?
A school that provides a junior independent education and a senior independent education can be an attractive proposition for parents who want continuity for their children and an improved chance of admission to the senior part of the school. Such schools often make the ‘jump’ from junior independent school to senior independent school much more comfortable.