Comparing schools - fees, what they offer etc

[justthinkingaloud1]

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.

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).

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

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

Thanks!

Thank you.