School Prospectuses - please help!

[jtejmum]

Can anyone help me? I have started the daunting process of choosing a school and we have a few locally that seem pretty good. What should I be looking for in their prospectuses? Is there anything that is more important than other things? We will obviously go and visit with dd to get a feel, but I don't want to waste our (or their) time if I can see from the prospectus that a school is not right for us.

Thank you!

All prospecti look the same. Read the good schools guide, the inspection reports, tatler (if applicable) and the prospectus of each school. They are all pretty biased but some little snippets will jump out at you.

I wouldn't rule out a school on the basis of a prospectus. A couple of years ago Eton had the most awful prospectus and one of the most expensive preps, where Harry and Wills went, only sent a postcard with a picture of the school and the fees on the back of it!

I personally hate state schools that send out really glossy expensive to produce prospectus as I think they have the wrong priorities.

they are useful when they have the exam results in and a year on year comparison. also useful to see what curriculum a school offers eg mfl opportunities, sports, clubs etc

Ignore them. They are the glossy brochure, designed to show only the best bits. They will all have happy, smiley, pretty children who are very happy with the school. You're better off going to have a look around. You can also tell a lot by listening to the playground at lunch time.

Great, thanks for that. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who thinks that can look a bit samey. Hadn't thought about the priorities bit - I guess you do have to wonder why a school who has just paid for a glossy type brochure didnt spend the money on their current pupils.

Will try and get playground opinions. Thanks for the tips!

Trying to speak with current parents can be helpful.
With the schools near us, all the lentil-weaver type parents send their children to 1 school, all the tiger-moms to another e.t.c ... knowing which school parents (from toddler groups) had in mind for their children gave us a clear indicator of the ethos of local schools.

You're welcome. Very best of luck, it's a minefield out there.