Going to see an independant school tomorrow..........

[nikki81]

Hi. Im going to see an independant school tomorrow. My OH works away all week so I have to go on my own. Im hoping they wont make me feel uncomfortable as I am young and will be visiting on my own. We went to a school together on saturday and quite liked it but I want to look at another one. Just wondering what sort of things people think I should ask? If anyone can give me some advice that would be great, feeling abit nervous about it!!

Hi Nikki,
As you are young, I'm assuming you will be looking at a pre-prep or prep school? Are you taking your child with you? If you look on the Independent Schools Council website (www.isc.co.uk) they have a section on questions to ask and things to look out for. I can understand why you feel nervous about going on your own but they won't make you feel uncomfortable - after all they will be trying to sell you something!!!

Good luck!

It's they who should be nervous abot meeting you as they are keener to have your child, you'll be paying the fees after all. It's easy to see independent schools as being 'offish' and exclusive but then again what are your reasons for sending your child there? that's what you need to focus on, are you dissatisfied with what's on offer elsewhere - exactly what? whether it's smaller classes ( check exactly what numbers they have in classes it can depend on year groups and all sorts) better extra curricular activities, longer pastoral hours, boarding facilities or just plain exclusiveness. What else are you looking for from going independent?You need to ensure that this school will provide the things you are hoping to get for your money so this is what you need to ask. If they make you feel at all intimidated they aren't really doing they're job - don't worry I'm sure they won't.

I would ask
where do the children come from? ie are there "feeder" schools - this won't be relevant if your DCs are 4, but might be if they are 7.
Which schools/universities do the children go to after the private school?
Do children live locally or all over the place? (how far will you have to drive on play dates)
Are there after school clubs or are those all during the school day (will pickup be a nightmare if you have more than one child there)?
What do the girls become in future life? (at boys' schools they are keen to tell you they produce captains of industry but for some reason girls' schools all produce lovely rounded human beings - rounded human beings are obviously a successful outcome but I always think the answer is interesting)
what proportion of the teachers are men? (if you want role models for sons at school)
How would they describe the ethos of the school - academic, supportive, sporty
How much money does the PTA raise each year (how often will you have to dip your hands in your pocket)
How long has the head been there and is s/he thinking of moving on soon at all?

I realise looking at your post these questions are probably all too late for today....

If it's primary or up to 13+ you need to know which private secondaries most children go to and how many scholarships to those schools they get per year if you want an academic indicator. Don't worry about age. I was paying school fees by the time I was 27.

Hi nikki81

Hope your visit goes well. My children are at independent school (DS in nursery and DD year 5). I would say I am the youngest parent there which used to make me feel uncomfortable but then I thought - hang on, they are no different from me! Once I got over that its been fine!

Hi everyone. Well I saw the school yesterday and it was fab. I love it, loads of ground for the children to play in, a sporty school, small classes, 16 in each. They have 8 children this year going to the grammer school which is very good but my only concern would be when she gets to that point where would she go. They feed on to good state secondary school or a private school again. They only have one space left and believe it or not I had a message from them this morning saying someone else is interested and going to have a look around next week so now I feel abit pushed into making a decision. The school we both saw last week was nice too and it goes up to 16 so they don't go to a different secondary, Is this better? Also at this school the uniform you can buy from marks and spencer etc, they just have to have a blazer and hat which appeals to me more than buying it direct from the school. I am just so confused!

private schools that only go up to 16 are not normally the best actually. they don't have a levels or a sixth form. Usually they aren't that high in academdic league tables so I'd prefer the one you saw today and liked.

Go with the one you prefer now. Agree with Xenia (for once !) that going up to 16 may not be such an advantage. Probably the more able children move at 11 or 13 elsehere to stay until 18, worth asking abouttheir turnover perhaps.

What Xenia says is not necessarily true- one local up to 16 years school gets their girls into top public schools for 6th form and most of them get scholarships to very competitive schools.

My daughter's school asks for all A's at GCSE and A* in the subjects they want to do for A level, all the girls from the aforementionned school who applied for places last year met that criteria.