Choosing a school can be a difficult task at the best of times. There are certain things to consider in doing so and it is often best to do so as early as you can. You may need to consider the following questions:

Do we want a private, independent or public education for our children?

This is a deeply personal decision and will depend on your own history and upbringing as well as your beliefs regarding these types of education. It may also depend on the perceived quality of the schools in your area and the TEE marks which are relevant to those schools. If you wish to go for private or independent, especially for high school, it may be best to enrol in a few possible schools as early as possible to avoid missing out. People book into these schools as their children are born and so entering as the child grows older makes it more difficult to attend, particularly if you are not of that particular denomination.

Which denomination do we wish to educate our children in?

This will be purely personal choice also and again will depend on your own upbringing and that of your family. It may also depend on those schools physically accessible to you and your perceptions of particular schools and religions.

How far away from our home is the school we are considering?

This will be relevant in terms of transport to school. If the school is not within walking distance from your home, consider how long it will take to drive or what other public transport is available. Some schools provide a bus service for their students. If you will be driving your child to and from school consider the distance in terms of time management, fuel consumption and the long commitment of doing so. Consider your job or potential positions and how this may or may not fit for your lifestyle.

The distance to school will also be relevant for your children in terms of the location of their friends. If you live some distance from the school consider that many of your child’s friends will live close and hence in later years you will be transporting back and forth to locations near the school for play overs, sleepovers, parties, school functions, parent teacher night, school disco etc. Again this is a big commitment and will impact on your free time as a parent and your fuel consumption.

If the school is close to home, this again becomes something to consider. Friends will be close by and hence may visit on a more regular basis, stay over more often, be more accessible to your child and the community in which you live.

Each of these scenarios can be a positive or a negative thing for you but are worth considering.

How can you choose?

• Get a prospectus from each school you are considering in and out of your local area.

• Read the prospectus and compare each school, sharing your thoughts with your child.

• Shortlist your favourite schools in terms of: expense, location, transport, facilities, first impressions.

• Phone and visit those shortlisted with your child, preferably on a school day across a break time. Take a tour, have an interview and watch the children who are in attendance. Do they appear to be happy? Is there any bullying going on? What is staff supervision like? What work is put up in the classrooms? Has the school been maintained? Do they have up to date facilities and equipment which are of interest to your child? Are the staff welcoming, friendly and approachable and do they appear interested in you and your child? Feel the atmosphere.

• Shortlist your shortlist and visit that list of schools at end of school time with your child. Approach parents in the car park and tell them you are thinking of joining their school. Find out what they like and dislike about the school. Ask the students what they like or dislike about the school.

• Discuss your shortlist with your child and find out what they think. Ask them to consider location, transport, location of friends, activities available, people and feel of the school.

• Put in an application at several options in case you cannot get in to your favourite.

Main things to look for:

• A suitable location that you have at least two methods to attend the school

• Facilities to suit your child and their talents

• Happy Parents, staff and students

• Good atmosphere and playing at break time

• Good teacher supervision

• Genuine interest in your child and welcoming feeling into the school

• Quality work in the classrooms – class sizes, room sizes, heating and cooling etc

Things to do before deciding:

• Talk to your child

• Visit the schools

• Talk to the parents and students

• Check your finances

• Research transport options

• List yours and your child’s requirements and ensure the school will meet them.

Good luck with this exciting decision!!

By Rebecca Doughty