There are plenty of things that’ll influence your child’s future success. And right towards the top of that list is the school that they attend. The right school will inspire a love of learning, help them to achieve their goals, and all-around ensure that they’re in a good position to handle everything that life has to throw at them in adulthood. The wrong school won’t be a guarantee of future problems, but it’ll make things more difficult. As you’ll likely be aware, not all schools are created equal. In this blog, we’ll look at some handy considerations that will guide you towards making the right decision.
Where Are Their Friends Going?
The main goal of schooling is to provide a good education. But the secondary goal is to establish friend groups. You’ll remember from your own school days just how much of an impact it had on creating friendships, many of which will last a lifetime. There’s nothing like old friends, after all. As such, it’s recommended to consider where the friends that they already have are going. If you don’t like that school for whatever reason, then it won’t be the end of the world if your child goes elsewhere — they’ll make new friends — but if you have the choice, go with this one.
Visiting the School and Ofsted Reports
All schools have open days. So go along! This will help to give you a general sense of the school, meet the teachers, and see whether it’s a place where you feel comfortable sending your child. Of course, there’s only so much you can get from an open day: it’ll give you a general feel of the school, but to get a deeper idea of how the school will benefit your child, take a read of the Ofsted report. That’ll give you an idea of how the school performs in relation to others in the area and across the country.
Extracurricular Activities
A school should give a child the capacity to really spread their wings and find out who they are. They’ll learn a lot from the national curriculum, but for many children, the most inspiring aspect of school will be the extracurricular activities. If the school is offering educational trips to New York, music lessons, sports clubs, and more, then you’ll know that it’s a place where your child will be able to have a wide-ranging experience. And you never know what that might lead to.
Practical Matters
You’ll also need to think about practical matters when choosing a school. You don’t necessarily need to select the school that’s located closest to your house, but you’ll probably regret selecting one that’s very far away. Life is difficult enough to manage without having to contend with long trips to school every morning. Try to strike the balance between sending them to a school that performs well and helps them to be the best they can be, and one that fits in line with your schedule and general life structure. You’ll thank yourself later.
