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Comparing schools - fees, what they offer etc

6 replies

justthinkingaloud1 · 25/06/2025 09:10

Is there an easy way to compare a selection of possible private schools, in terms of fees and what they offer? How would you go about this process? It’s really hard to see how you compare schools fairly.

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Minnowmeow · 25/06/2025 10:37

I know someone who used AI to do this as part of their school selection process. Otherwise good schools guide is a source of info (but you’d need to make your own spreadsheet if you wanted a side by side comparison).

Hoppinggreen · 25/06/2025 10:40

I work as an Education Consultant and while I do prepare a spreadsheet for my clients I tend to find that its the "softer" things that tend to sway them in one direction or another and how the school feels on a visit
Of course there is then the fact that a school can be excellent but not right for one child and perfect for another.
My advice would be use a spreadsheet to compare fees etc but then visit and see if you think the ethos and overall atmosphere will suit the child

ExistentialThreat · 25/06/2025 10:48

What matters to you in comparing schools will be different for each set of parents. I'd prepare my own spreadsheet (ChatGPT can help!) and consider aspects such as:
Fees
What's included in fees (e.g. lunch / after school care)
Logistics - school run / wrap around care
Next steps - do they prep your child for your likely next stage (e.g. which secondary schools, 11+, 13+, grammar, all through)
Class size
Sex ratios

And then for us:
Access to sport
Outside space
Extra curriculas
Demographic (diversity etc)
Facilities
Perspective on smart phone use / tech in schools

But uttimately - having recently viewed 8 schools - you will walk in and get a gut feel.

justthinkingaloud1 · 25/06/2025 10:59

Minnowmeow · 25/06/2025 10:37

I know someone who used AI to do this as part of their school selection process. Otherwise good schools guide is a source of info (but you’d need to make your own spreadsheet if you wanted a side by side comparison).

Thanks

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justthinkingaloud1 · 25/06/2025 11:00

ExistentialThreat · 25/06/2025 10:48

What matters to you in comparing schools will be different for each set of parents. I'd prepare my own spreadsheet (ChatGPT can help!) and consider aspects such as:
Fees
What's included in fees (e.g. lunch / after school care)
Logistics - school run / wrap around care
Next steps - do they prep your child for your likely next stage (e.g. which secondary schools, 11+, 13+, grammar, all through)
Class size
Sex ratios

And then for us:
Access to sport
Outside space
Extra curriculas
Demographic (diversity etc)
Facilities
Perspective on smart phone use / tech in schools

But uttimately - having recently viewed 8 schools - you will walk in and get a gut feel.

Thanks!

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justthinkingaloud1 · 25/06/2025 11:00

Hoppinggreen · 25/06/2025 10:40

I work as an Education Consultant and while I do prepare a spreadsheet for my clients I tend to find that its the "softer" things that tend to sway them in one direction or another and how the school feels on a visit
Of course there is then the fact that a school can be excellent but not right for one child and perfect for another.
My advice would be use a spreadsheet to compare fees etc but then visit and see if you think the ethos and overall atmosphere will suit the child

Thank you.

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