If your child is nearing schooling age or is soon to make the leap from primary to secondary, you will already be weighing up your options regarding which school they should attend. Academic success will likely be at the top of your agenda, though choosing a school that you know your child will be happy attending is equally important. With the following advice from an independent school in Somerset you can be sure to make the right choice for both yourself and your child.
Pay a Visit
By making use of open days you can visit schools to get a feel for them before you make a decision. Open days will give you an overview of the facilities on offer and give you an opportunity to interact with staff members, allowing you to decide if a particular school would be a suitable match for your child. You can also use this visit to consider logistical questions such as transportation to and from. Is this school a walkable distance from your home? Or are their transport options available for students?
Extra-Curricular
Conduct some research into the extracurricular options each school has to offer. If your child is a budding musician or even just has an interest in learning an instrument, you’ll perhaps want to choose a school which boasts a successful music program. Children who love sports may benefit from attending a school who put emphasis on physical activities and competitive sports teams. There are also schools who focus on language acquisition and offer exchange programs with schools abroad.
Academic Success
The academic success of a school will undoubtedly be a key factor in your selection process. Independent schools tend to outrank state schools when it comes to results, which is something that many parents will find appealing. The financial implications of private education may be a cause for concern for some families, but no parent wants their child to miss out on the best education. Luckily many independent schools offer bursaries or scholarship programs, usually based on the outcome of entry exams, enabling children from all walks of life access to the best education.
