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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Help choosing an independent school

10 replies

1busybee · 04/05/2021 07:33

We are considering sending our son to an independent school as we are lucky to suddenly be able to afford it whereas before it wasn’t affordable to us. The local school isn’t great and my son has been there a few years and is miserable.

Thing is we don’t really know much about the best school for him. Is there a company or group or similar which can advise on the right school for the right child type thing. I’m guessing there is. If so are they worth it or is it better just to put in many hours of research. Obviously I would expect to visit any potential school but it’s a bit of a needle in haystack last minute option for us. Thank you

OP posts:

MissyB1 · 04/05/2021 07:40

is it primary or senior school? Either way it's really about thinking of your child's personality/ strengths/ weaknesses, then look at whether the school is a good match for those. You want a school that will build him up as a person, make the most of his talents, and accept but improve his weak spots.
We got it wrong with ds prep school, it wasn't a bad school it just wasn't the right one for him. We've got it right with the senior school though, I think we knew more about what he actually needed this time.

4PawsGood · 04/05/2021 07:43

How can you tell what the school is really like though, @MissyB1

They all seem to say they are all rounders where we live.

AnotherNewt · 04/05/2021 08:03

Is there a company or group or similar which can advise on the right school for the right child type thing

Yes, the established name is Gabbitas, but there are other providers too. Google 'education consultants'

Original poster

1busybee · 04/05/2021 08:12

Thank you @AnotherNewt. It’s for secondary @MissyB1. He s extremely sporty, quite quirky and is bored at school. I don’t think he s Uber bright but he sits very happily in the top sets at his local school and says it’s boring. The teachers say he has more potential than he shows. I just think he s my son!!!

OP posts:

tickingthebox73 · 04/05/2021 08:45

@AnotherNewt

Is there a company or group or similar which can advise on the right school for the right child type thing

Yes, the established name is Gabbitas, but there are other providers too. Google 'education consultants'

I used the good schools guide consultants, they were good...

tickingthebox73 · 04/05/2021 08:49

@1busybee

I would also post on here with your area, and an idea of him as a child - also CAT scores or SATS scores (rough) and people can help!

There are many people on these boards who have experience of the private school system - I for example could give pretty good advice about the north Surrey and West London areas for both Prep and secondary as can many others!

LIZS · 04/05/2021 08:57

There are some fundamentals to consider - Location, travel distance, coed/single sex, which sports at what level, affordability, Saturday school or not, mix of day/boarding etc.

If he plays club sport where do others there attend locally? Which schools focus on his sport/s, offer specialist coaching and compete with others. Academics are often in league tables (although not all subscribe) or published on their website.

Seeline · 04/05/2021 08:59

Also what year would he be going into, and whether a school has spaces.

Madcats · 04/05/2021 09:03

The trouble is that a 10 year old child is very different to the 16/18 year old they become. The ones that thrive are the ones who enjoy new things and seize opportunities without being overly worried about failure.

There are a few simple things to think about to help prune the list. If you have a local library they might have a copy of the Good Schools Guide (or get a month's subscription online):

Do you want/plan to move house? Is there a region you need to stay in?

Would you want DS to board/flexi-board?

What is you stance on single sex/mixed and religious schools?

I think most schools have managed to sort out personal tours outside of the school day so at least you can see more than a glossy brochure.

PS fees vary A LOT (and don't forget to allow for extra curricular activities and trips).

MissyB1 · 04/05/2021 11:09

@4PawsGood

How can you tell what the school is really like though, *@MissyB1*

They all seem to say they are all rounders where we live.

It’s a good question, and it’s how we made a mistake! Because they simply didn’t live up to some of their claims. That might not have mattered to some children but it definitely disadvantaged our ds.

I would say ask around as many people as possible that know the school. And be very very specific with the questions that you ask the school. Ultimately though it can be a bit of a gamble.

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