- Start the process early; allow at least 18 months. This will ensure you have a good range of schools to choose from, plenty of time to visit and time to prepare for any entrance examinations.
- Identify the type of educational environment that would best suit the needs of your child: day, boarding, guardian; single sex, co-educational, highly selective or a school for the all rounder.
- Does your child have any special requirements: Dyslexia, supported learning, medical conditions?
- Do you require the school to be in anywhere particular in the UK? Close to an airport, close to London, commutable distance.
- Have copies of school reports available along with any English Language papers sat if English is not your child's first language.
- Inform child's current school of your intentions; the Head teacher/Principal will normally be contacted to write a reference.
- Be clear about if and when you are able to visit the schools selected. Do you want to visit on an open day or have a more personal tour? - Never rely simply on the shiny brochure or Ofsted report.
- We advise families to visit five or six schools during term time rather than during the holidays. This way you get to see what the school is like on a day to day basis and you will also get a chance to speak to members of staff and current students.