Selecting a secondary school can be a big decision, there are so many factors to consider, sometimes even more so than picking their primary school or nursery. By the time your child reaches secondary school age, you know more about their personality and their interests, as well as their strengths, weaknesses and friendship groups. Do you choose a school that is geared towards a certain subject or one that will give your child a chance to explore new interests? Plus, you have to make sure it is convenient, is it on your commute? Is there a bus? There is a lot to consider, which is why it is so overwhelming.
Here are a couple of ways you can make the whole thing easier.
- Know when the application deadline is.
The deadline will depend on your local authority, generally, it tends to be around October, so the start of the new school year is a good time for anyone with a child in Year 5 to start researching prospective schools. If you’re looking at a grammar or selective school you’ll need to be even more prepared, as these often require entrance exams too. - Research local school
You’ll probably already know a bit about what schools are available in your local area, but it doesn’t hurt to research them anyway. Schools that are run by an academy are often part of a trust that includes both primary and secondary schools, meaning your child can stay within the same group. Make sure to get a list of schools in the area from your local authority and see how each one fits with your child. - Attend as many open days as possible
At the start of the new school year, secondary schools will hold a series of open days and it is important to visit as many as you can so you can get a feel for how each operates. Many schools will also give you a chance to visit during the school day, so you can observe lessons and the other students. - Check the admission criteria
Once you have an idea of what kind of school you’d like your child to attend, you’ll need to look at what requirements there are to enrol. Some schools will require your child to sit an entrance exam, while others may have certain catchment areas and will require a certain postcode, and others, like a faith school, will depend on your denomination.
Now you hopefully have a better idea of how to narrow down the best school for you. While OFSTED reports and league tables are important, you need to consider what school your child feels comfortable with the choice.
