Struggling to find the right school for your child with special educational needs or to get independent advice on educational issues or the law? We highlight some of the professional...

We examined the value-added from KS2 to GCSE for 2009, 2010, and 2011 to see which state, selective grammar schools added the most value to their offspring.  A note of caution...

We examined the 2009, 2010 and 2011 A-level and IB results of selective grammar schools to find out who tops the class. Not all A-levels are deemed of equal value by leading universities....

A very special Queen's Diamond Jubilee invitation With the support of Buckingham Palace The Renaissance of the Portrait Foundation  in association with The Good...

A very special Queen's Diamond Jubilee invitation With the support of Buckingham Palace The Renaissance of the Portrait Foundation  in association with The Good...

In uploading images to The Children's Queen: A Jubilee Portrait Competition for Schools  you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed below.   Summary Rules and...

Academic achievement, proximity.... but forget religion. A survey of parents by The Good Schools Guide has revealed that parents’ top criteria in choosing a school for their...

Would you like to write for The Good Schools Guide?   Have you the courage of a lion, or the hide of a rhinoceros, or whatever else it takes for you to shrug off the discomfort...

Thinking of University in the US Think you'll need 'Uni in the USA'   "You have personal confidence and a healthy dose of independence. You value breadth at the outset, you...

  We think you'll love our "Learning Tree", this beautifully illustrates both the state school and independent school systems in England. Use in conjunction with From...

University information from schools and universities University data Ever wondered who goes where, from which schools and to study what? On this website we carry extensive information...

All you need to know about university in the USA...And Beyond.     Consult our handy check-list below to make sure you've covered all bases.

The Guide written by students for students   ...with a helping hand from The Good Schools Guide   Who will the uni suit? What is it like to be a student there? How...

Use The Good Schools Guide website if you care about your child's future   Do you need to Find A School for your child?    Are you moving house? Do you need to...

If you are preparing to entrust your child to a school – whether day or boarding – you will most likely assume that your child will be safe and that all members of the...

'Public schools' - that count heavy weights such as Eton, Harrow and Rugby among their membership - are so called because enrolment is open to the general public, providing said public...

St Trinian's or St Paul's - how do you decide? What is your child really like? This is your starting point for finding a school to suit him/her rather than you. Having decided...

A lively look at education planning for children of all ages and their parents!Forethought to five 'Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Harvard? One - he holds the bulb and the world revolves around him.   Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts           Undergraduates: 6,500  Graduates: 12,000  For...

Where are the good schools?     We have reviewed more than 1100 schools all over the UK. The maps below show where those schools are.   To re-create the maps,...

Q. How many students does it take to change a lightbulb?  A. Five. Four to go skiing and the fifth to remember on the way up to Whistler, to call an engineering...

 How many U of T students does it take to chance a light bulb? Two - one student to do it and another to immediately compare U of T’s position to McGill’s in the bulb-changing...

Location: Hong Kong Undergraduates:  11,250 Postgraduates: 3,000 If political activism isn’t quite your cup of tea (or coffee shop latte), Chinese University of Hong-Kong...

Location: Hong Kong Undergraduates: 6,000 Postgraduates: 3,000 If you want to save time on other forms of exercise, it’s still possible to traverse the campus on the precipitous...

Location: Berlin, Germany Undergraduates: 60   There are no troublesome exams, but rather a constant evaluation of class participation and set-work, so your relationship...

Location: Berlin, Germany Students: 34,000   Despite being a large and anonymous place to study, many students report a strong identification with Humboldt as a university,...

Location: Hong Kong Undergraduates: 22,000 Postgraduates: 10,000  ‘We were split up into teams and had to solve challenges like Giant Sudoku together’ reported...

Location: Ningbo, China Undergraduate and graduate students: 5,000 International students:160 There are sports facilities aplenty, including football pitches, a couple of tennis...

Lund University  Location: Lund, Sweden Students: 30,000   Uppsala University Location: Uppsala, Sweden students: 20,000    Lund and Uppsala...

Location: Paris, France Students: 9,000 Students who are seeking a high-quality education in an international environment, in the heart of Paris but without the intensity and...

How many NUS students does it take to screw in a light bulb? One. Get back to work. Location: Singapore Students: 27,000 Singapore sits near the equator, and words like “lush”...

State school, faith school, grammar school, independent, London or country school...whatever your choice: Prior preparation and planning are essential if you are to find the ideal...

Q. How many American University students does it take to change a light bulb? A. 101 – One hundred to pass the bill through Congress and one to change it.   Location:...

Is someone near you putting together a Free School?   It's a very tempting prospect: a school that is created by its community,  that you can play a part in shaping,...

Selecting a university that is thousands of miles away, perhaps without the opportunity to visit beforehand, will worry even the most enthusiastic. Fortunately, thanks to the Internet...

How parents can help Getting to university in the US is a drawn-out process with a raft of requirements – and all the while your child is bogged down in the middle of a battlefield...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Amherst? Thirteen – one to change the bulb and an a capella group to immortalize the event in song.   Location:...

Uni in Europe is a wide-open field, as ready for the taking as Napoleon and Hitler once believed. Its universities are fantastic, the price is right (free) and its culture is exquisite. If...

How many Barnard students does it take to change a light bulb? 2 – one to fetch it from Columbia University and one to find a way to integrate it into the Nine Ways of Knowing   Location:...

Making the decision to apply to a US university for your undergraduate course can be exciting if a bit daunting. There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the US of which approximately...

Bennington College Bennington Vermont Undergrads: 670 Grads: 140 If you are free-spirited, liberal-minded and don't have an aversion to body hair or clogs then Bennington could...

Considering uni the in the USA? You're in good company. The US is the top destination for international students wordwide.  In fact, over 8,000 British students...

How many Boston Uni students does it take to change a light bulb? 28 – one to buy it from the CVS across the street, one to dedicate it to Martin Luther King, one to throw it...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Brown? Eleven - one to change the light bulb and ten to share the experience.   Location: Providence, Rhode Island Undergraduates:...

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Undergraduates: 5,900 Graduates: 5,100 There are some frats in operation, but if you’re looking for the craziest parties, look on. Students...

Location: Maastricht, Belgium Students: 13,100   Another benefit is that you can get to know your tutorial group very well, learning a lot from each other in the process....

Internships and full-time study are not the only options available for students wishing to spend time in the land of plenty...For students wanting to take time out before going to...

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Undergraduates: 5,850 Graduates: 2,000  Students are quirky, friendly and intelligent and not ashamed to show it, and hail from an eclectic...

Location: Rome, Italy Students: 150,000   Many courses and professors are great – certainly among the best in the country if not the continent – while others leave...

Most students will be applying at the beginning of the second year of sixth form for a place the following Autumn term. Because of this, universities will scrutinize GCSE and AS/Highers...

Location: Melbourne, Australia Undergraduates: 43,000 Graduates:16,000 (International students- 21,000)  The Monash student is a happy, unpretentious, quietly confident student,...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at the ENS? Only one student is permitted the honour – whoever proves himself the most excellent light-bulb changer.    Location:...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Columbia? Seventy-six - one to change the light bulb, fifty to protest the light bulb’s right not to change, and twenty-five...

Location: Palaiseau Cedex, France Students: 3000 Polytechnic began life as a military academy for engineers, and French first-years still have to do eight months of military training...

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Students: 37,000    Most KU students are happy and most enjoy rich social lives; however, the individuality of the university can sometimes...

Location: Canberra, Australia Undergraduates: 10,000 (International: 4,300) Approximately one?quarter of all student enrolments are international students. Reputation is a big pulling...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Cornell? Two – one to change the light bulb and one to crack under the pressure.   Location: Ithaca, New...

Location: Melbourne, Victoria Undergraduates: 25,000 Postgraduates: 11,000 International students: 12,000  Not a uni for the faint at heart, you will have to work hard...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Dartmouth? None – Hanover doesn’t have electricity.   Location: Hanover, New Hampshire Undergraduates: 4,100 Graduates: 1,100    As...

Location: Heidelberg, Germany Students: 27,000   Most of the university is located in the outrageously picturesque, medieval old-town, with a more modern science complex,...

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Students: 32,000    Amsterdam is perhaps the most high-flying of the Dutch universities academically, and consequently students have...

Location: Brisbane, Queensland   Undergraduates: 31,800 Postgraduates: 12,000 International students: 10,500 To comfort the truly homesick, that iconic stalwart of the...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Duke? A whole frat – but only one of them is sober enough to get the bulb out of the socket.   Location: Durham,...

Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands Students: 29-30,000    Utrechtians love their social life. Utrecht is in many ways perfect in this respect – it’s a true...

Location: Sydney, New South Wales Undergraduates: 32,612 Graduates: 16,447 International students: 10,832   Sydney is truly a world city, a metropolis in a melting pot,...

Once you have selected your universities, contact them directly or access their website to obtain an application form.  However, there may still be additional requirements from...

It used to be the case that only the upper crust and the very wealthy sent their children to private schools. Nowadays more than half the children entering the private sector have parents...

How many Emory students does it take to change a light bulb? That depends.   Location: Atlanta, Georgia Undergraduates: 6,900 Graduates: 5,900  As well as this, students...

Sending your child off to university is a big deal for any parent. As soon as the ‘Thank God I have the house/car/fridge to myself’ mentality has worn off, the   ‘Why...

Want an independent school education but can’t afford the fees?   Don't get your hopes up. It is possible to get help with school fees in some circumstances, but funds...

Finally some good news.  For the past 3 years fee increases at independent schools have been far lower than those in the early part of this century. Nevertheless, as the economic...

How many FSU students does it take to change a light bulb? 2 – one to find a bigger, better light bulb than The University of Florida, and one to change it.   Location:...

On the day the acceptance letter drops into your letterbox you might well be deceived into thinking the hard work, struggle and frustration are over. Think again. The toughest application...

Please feel free to print the poster below to display in your school.

  Q. How many students does it take to change a light bulb at George Washington?  A. 21 – One to change the light bulb and 20 to start a light bulb-saving campaign...

  Are they all Harry Potteresque? For pupils aged 8+ preparatory schools, (or 'prep schools', as they are more usually known) are independent schools that prepare children for...

How many students does it to take to change a light bulb at Georgetown? Four – one to change it, one to call Congress about their progress, and two to throw the old bulb at the...

All those scary newspaper statistics about the long-term costs of keeping your child in nappies and birthday presents pale into insignificance when set beside the £100,000+ you’ll...

How many Georgia Tech students does it take to change a light bulb? About 230 - ten to conceive new light bulb technology, one to sell it to NASA, 175 to build a new research facility...

The Bologna Process was launched in 1999 by the Education Ministers of 29 European countries in an attempt to bring coherence to higher education systems across the continent. Since...

The key to financial planning is to start early so you and your child can keep on top of the many challenges. You must be fully aware of the financial commitment involved in studying...

How many Hunter students does it take to change a light bulb? One, but he can do it on the subway on the way there. Location: Upper East Side, New York Undergrads: 15, 700 Graduates:...

America might proclaim itself the ‘land of the free’, but there is no getting around the fact that an American education is anything but. Until recently, tuition fees in...

Every American high school movie worth its salt is guaranteed to have at least one ‘jock’ in a starring role. These mini-gods of the athletic field are invariably blessed...

Here are some helpful books and website links to supplement the wisdom we have imparted. All Aspects of Higher Education in the US               EducationUSA,...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at JHU? None - no one changes it. The less competition, the better.   Location:Baltimore,Maryland                                                                                              Undergraduates: 5,454 graduates: 13,139   This...

Click on the map to locate universities in the USA that we review. Each map pin contains further information on the selected university with a link to the the Good Schools Guide...

How many Kenyon students does it take to screw in a lightbulb?   Six. One to screw in the lightbulb, and five to form a search party to find him in the nowhere that is Gambier.   Gambier Ohio Undergrads:...

  Jelly on toast? Cheese & onion chips? Aged 20 but still at school? Awesome fanny?  We may speak the same language but do we actually mean the same thing?  Fortunately...

  From birth onwards you need to think about the type of school you want your child to attend. If you're considering the independent sector a great pre-prep school will undoubtedly...

Q. How many LC students does it take to change a light bulb? A. Eight - two to organise a cake-bake fundraiser, five to write a song about it, and one to change it.   Location:...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at MIT? Five – one to design a nuclear-powered bulb that never needs changing, one to figure out how to power the rest of...

Location: South Hadley, Massachusetts Undergraduates: 2,200 Graduates: 0 The student body is open-minded, diverse, and academically motivated (and it has a large number of international...

  As with most reports there’s a code to decipher and a few questions to ask. The local school gets a glowing report, yet you know half the population are banned from...

 How many students does it take to change a light bulb at NYU? Two - one to get the light bulb, one to go to the departmental advisor and see what the advisor thinks is best.   Location: New...

You've identified possible schools, now what? Every single reference book on schools indulges in advice on how to find and choose the perfect school. Lists of questions tend...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Northwestern? Two – One to screw it in and one to tell him how to do it according to the manual.   Location: Evanston,...

Richard Cairns Headmaster of Brighton College observes: Prospectuses abound with girls dancing, boys scrumming and children generally doing everything but think. It has become...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Oberlin? Three – one to change it and two to figure out how to get high off the old one.   Location: Oberlin,...

  With the financial markets in turmoil, city bonuses slashed, unemployment topping 2 million and, in some areas, more than a third of pupils failing to get a place at their...

How many Pepperdine students does it take to change a light bulb? 2 – one to change it and one to give the sermon. Location: Malibu, California Undergraduates: 3,150 Graduates:...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Princeton? Two - one to mix the martinis and one to call the electrician.   Location: Princeton, New Jersey Undergraduates: 4,600  Graduates:...

There are so many guides to schools it can be difficult to know where to start but, The Good Schools Guide is the ONLY guide that 'cherry-picks' the schools it includes. Most guides...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Reed? Just one, and he powers it on his own brain's energy-output.   Location: Portland, Oregon Undergraduates: 1440 Graduates:...

How many Rice students does it take to change a light bulb? 4 – one to change it, one to take it out again and claim it for his own college, one to take it out yet again and...

Location: New Brunswick/Newark/Camden, New Jersey Undergraduates: 38,900 Graduates: 13,600  Admission to Rutgers is tough but nothing like that other famous NJ college (Princeton);...

How many Johnnies does it take to change a light bulb? 16 – one to read Descartes’ famous masterpiece On the Changing of Light Bulbs, and fifteen to form a discussion...

Pupil profiles and value added - what the charts show The charts here are best examined as a group: Chart 1 shows the pupil intake and their ability on entry to the key stage.  Chart...

Bronxville, New York Undergraduates 1330 Graduates: 340   The nightlife stays pretty chilled. Most parties consist of small groups of people gathering in a dorm room - listening...

How many Scipps students does it take to change a light bulb? 16 – ten to set up an artistic team to select the most beautiful light bulb to match the campus, five to publicise...

Getting in and out of financial difficulties   Attitude to bill-paying and money varies hugely; the best schools are wonderful and increasingly flexible about payment...

Undergrads: 2400 Grads: 0 Newsweek recently named Skidmore one of America’s '25 New Ivies', but rest assured, it does not have the ego of an Ivy League. Skidmore is somewhat...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Stanford? One, dude. Location: Stanford, California Undergraduates: 6,600 Graduates: 8,000   This ‘Ivy...

  Times may be hard yet, despite the odd private school closure, reports show the independent school sector is remaining resilient and robust. An independent school education...

Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Undergraduates: 1,500 Graduates: 0   One of the most competitive schools in the country, Swarthmore only accepts about 15% of applicants,...

Undergrads: 13,650 Grads: 5,900   The town of Syracuse is not the most exhilarating place on earth, but the region as a whole is beautiful, and perfect for outdoorsy types....

Senior school extras - out of sight out of pocket?   Don't just plan for school fees, the 'Extras' levied can add-up to more than you bargained for!  Parents' report...

 How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Tufts? Two – one to change the bulb and one to explain how they did it every bit as well as any Ivy Leaguer.   Location:...

How many Gators does it take to change a light bulb? If it'll help them win the next football game, you can have as many as you need.   Location: Gainesville, Florida Undergraduates:...

Trends - How well is this school doing?    The yellow bars show the actual percentages achieving - in this case  - 5 good GCSE's including English and maths at Holland...

How many Tulane students does it take to change a light bulb? 1000s – Think of all the relief workers and money from charitable donations! But certainly no help from the Bush...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at UC Berkeley? 2,001 – one to demand his right not to change the bulb and 2,000 to organize the strike in support of him.   Location:...

Trends - How well is this school doing?    The yellow bars show the actual percentages achieving - in this case  - 5 good GCSE's including English and maths at Holland...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at UCLA? Five - one to change the light bulb and four to find the perfect J. Crew outfit to wear for the occasion.   Location:...

How many University of Chicago students does it take to change a light bulb? None – a second spent changing a light bulb is a second lost writing your thesis.   Location:...

How to use Look for schools that interest you.   Information: Mothers intending: if you want to guarantee you child improved life chances, get your partner to tie a knot...

Location: Athens, Georgia Undergraduates: 25,000 Graduates: 9,000  Athens is as cool a college town as you could hope for out in the middle of the rural South, complete with...

How many KU students does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, and if you shine it from the top of the Fraser Building you can see it from the other side of Kansas.   Location:...

Looking at performance relative to other schools   The charts below show how a school ranks on five different performance measures.   Important note re Independent Schools independent...

Location: Coral Gables (Miami), Florida Undergraduates: 10,000 Graduates: 5,000 Normally parodied as cliquey, attractive, sports-car-driving, dark-shades-wearing, daddy’s-wealth-relying...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at UMichigan? Ten – one to change the bulb and nine to act as the Supreme Court to affirm the decision.   Location:...

How many North Carolina students does it take to change a light bulb? Fewer than those evil Duke students.   Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina  At “fall fest”...

How does this school compare to others nationally? The following charts rank individual schools against the nation on five criteria. NB About a third of primary schools refused to...

Location: Notre Dame, Indiana Undergraduates: 8,400 Graduates: 3,400  A superb private Catholic school in the Middle Of Nowhere, Indiana, Notre Dame has for a long time maintained...

How many USC students does it take to change a light bulb? None – they don’t bother, it’ll just get broken again at the next party. Location: Los Angeles, California Undergraduates:...

Help information available shortly.

How many UT students does it take to change a light bulb? 7 – one to change it, three to choose a local rock band to play for the occasion, and three to argue about the best...

Location: Sewanee, Tennessee Undergraduates: 1,400 Graduates: 200    Though there is not much beyond the campus (the tiny town of Sewanee, Tenn. is inside the university,...

Comparing the performance of schools on your shortlist at KS2 (age 11)

How many UVM students does it take to change a lightbulb? Eighteen: Fifteen to form a long distance trekking team to hike through the mountains to the nearest shop selling light bulbs,...

 How many students does it take to change a light bulb at UVA? Thirteen - ten to form a student committee to vote on whether changing light bulbs is a violation of the Honor Code,...

Compare schools in a 'MySchools' list by subject performance.

How many UW students does it take to change a light bulb? 3 - One to use Amazon to purchase the new bulb, one to make the coffee and one to put the grunge records on the turntable.   Location:...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Penn? Only one – but he gets six credits for it.   Location: Philadelphia, PA Undergraduates: 9,900  Graduates: 8,996    Whether...

  This widget is used to compare up to 200 schools by a number of performance measures, but works best with no more than 20. Choose two measures to compare them by There are...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Vanderbilt? Two - one to call the electrician and one to call daddy to pay the bill.   Location: Nashville, Tennessee Undergraduates: 6,300 Graduates: 4,800 Situated...

Compare schools in a 'MySchools' list by subject performance.

Poughkeepsie, New York Undergrads: 2,500 Grads: 0 The residential life is one of the best parts of going to Vassar and it provides the familial feel of a much smaller college....

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Undergraduates: 23,500 Graduates: 7,200  Although the name might now be forever associated with an awful college massacre, Virginia Tech...

How many Wash U students does it take to change a light bulb? 3 – one to pay too much for it, one to bring it from the East Coast, and one to put the great experience on his...

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Williams? The whole student body – when you’re snowed in, there’s nothing else to do.   Location:...

The schools that peoople go on to from here.

How many students does it take to change a light bulb at Yale? None – New Haven looks better in the dark.   Location: New Haven, Connecticut Undergraduates: 5,200 Graduates: 2,300  This...

Where pupils come from The table shows the main schools which feed pupils to this school.

Help information available shortly.

Help information available shortly.

< This graph looks at the profile of the school as a whole. Sixth form intake, sixth form outcome and sixth form value added use similar formats. They show the cumulative proportion...

We asked: ‘Is a school that does well for children with SEN likely to be good for other children too?’ The Great British Public said... Yes: 'Such a school will be...

This section covers tutor agencies that actually know their tutors personally, ie they meet and interview them and keep in close touch. We have visited and had extensive consultation...

For some children a tutor is essential as they are off school with a long-term health problem. Occasionally, families who are travelling for an extended period take a tutor with them...

  ‘This is the seriously upper crust of the tutoring industry, kneaded and done to a crisp according to the precise educational recipe for your privileged progeny.’...

  ‘A bunch of committed teachers who have organised themselves into a sort of collegiate collective. They’re in it for the enjoyment of the thing.’

  ‘International families send their children here to study on a long-term basis’.

  ‘The tutors are his friends and most of his clients seem to be friends – or certain to become friends – and he is on dining and tennis-playing terms with...

A study of Value Added scores by the Good Schools Guide shows girls really do learn better in girls’ schools than in co-ed ones. Yet co-ed schools thrive in areas where...

Sandra Hutchinson, Editor of The Good Schools Guide - Special Educational Needs, explains how to navigate this site, to find the answers you need to your SEN issues. Some...

  ‘Carefully tailored, micro-managed individual tuition with scrupulous monitoring, feedback and attention to detail.’

  ‘The grandmother of all tutor agencies – and far more besides…This is the crusty end of the market with nothing to prove.’

Will they enthuse, inspire, encourage?  Don't rely on league tables  - look beyond the headlines. Check-out our detailed analysis of results to uncover how well a school...

  ‘There is a unique sense of enjoyment here…this is an unpretentious but top class organisation which other parts …of the country could well look to and...

  ‘There is no shortage of West London tutorial agencies employing bright young Oxbridge graduates to top-up the education provided by costly independent London schools....

  Will the extra activities hit the right note?   Will you find a welcome on the mat, team-talk and an abundance of activities? Will the school give your child a sporting...

What matters is what is important to you. Avoid disaster by asking the right questions before you sign-up but... ask even half these questions and you will probably never be invited...

  This is a real family firm. Also on the staff are his two long-haired Burmese cats.

If you get the chance, do chat to pupils; after-all they are the ones who really know what's happening both inside and outside of the classroom. Try not to ask leading questions...

   ‘They are all passionate about teaching, passionate about education.’

  ‘One of the few female run in this business in this crucial part of London and that does make for a different feel.’

Finding the best...       Not only do we offer a series of starting points to help you consider which course at what uni, but we now feature, on this website, unique...

The Good Schools Guide Review of Simply Learning Tuition   ‘There is a dash of snob value, but we are particularly impressed by their care for children who do not...

  ‘This is the Dom Perignon rather than the Cava end of the market. Clients…quite likely are already employing butlers, housekeepers and cooks.’

New College of the Humanities is a new offering within the UK for students who are seeking alternatives to, or alongside, the regular UCAS university offerings.    About...

Tutor agencies in this section meticulously check references, CRB records, etc but, partly because of the size of their lists, conduct their personal interviews only over the telephone.

  Judge a tree by its fruit, a man by the company he keeps and a school by the universities it sends its pupils to? Well, you would miss out on the oak, the saint and many...

  ‘This is Amazon – you get the quality, the delivery and all done in the mass market but direct to your door and at a discount.’

  ‘A database with a big heart that might well be able to find a gem of a tutor in the North West or Midlands or even elsewhere.’

From 2012 UK universities are allowed to set their own tuition fees up to a maximum of £9,000 pa with private universities free to charge as they choose. The cost borne by...

The agencies in this section are those which have been recommended to us by approbatory parents, whose tutors are happy, whose credentials and approach we have researched and which...

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho it’s off to uni they go... ...with a hop and a skip and a great big lump in your throat. You excitedly prepare your teen for their first term at university,...

  Your child may end up reading for a degree but reading the right university guides beforehand can make a real difference to their whole future.  There is a plethora of...

  ‘A quick surf through a range of people offering their services on this site suggests a very diverse bunch.’

  Brit kids at home and abroad... There's little doubt about the enormous benefits a well-planned gap year can offer school-leavers, and there's an ever-increasing wealth of...

  ‘Coverage is wonderfully quirky – GCSE maths tutors galore in Southampton and Twickenham but you try to find a French tutor there…The John Lewis of the...

  Wherever you choose to study for a degree will be your home for the three years or longer it takes to complete the course, so it's worth choosing the right place - as well as...

  ‘Parents tend to keep K&C as a personal secret – why give an advantage to your neighbours’ children?’

Online Tutors - Do They Cut the Mustard? Online tutoring is very much a growth business. It's cheaper than paying someone to come to your home, and can be more convenient. Some children...

Money matters Increasingly it does... Most schools openly advertise their fees and are increasingly candid about added extras. Many schools offer bursaries to needy families and...

Safety first There are well-established checks that all reputable tutor agencies will make on anyone they take on as a tutor. The most thorough and mostly widely used check is ‘enhanced...

State schools - finding the right one...   When it comes to choosing a state school, how do you work out what is hot and what is decidedly not? 'Secondary modern', became...

We have quizzed and/or visited a number of tutor agencies about whom we have received considerable feedback and talked to their clients and their tutors.  The reviews are available...

The small steps of a child into his or her first school should not be giant leaps of faith for their parents left at the gate. Instead the primary years should be a wonderful...

  Word-of-mouth is the most effective and popular way to source good tutors especially as generally, the best tutors do not work for an agency – they don’t need...

  There are many schools within the UK for those with faith and their dominance of published league tables has led to an unprecedented rise in demand. Like all schools they vary...

The Good Schools Guide Advice Service 0203 286 6824 How can we help? The Good Schools Guide Advice Service is a consultancy run by The Good Schools Guide. It is a personal service...

Here are the answers to some of the questions you may have about the Advice Service. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your individual needs and concerns about your children's...

  Find the right boarding school for your child, with boarding options that suit your child and your family, and they will likely have the time of their lives. Boarding isn't...

Most parents who use The Good Schools Guide Advice Service opt for this service. Once you have contacted us, our administrator matches you to the advisor best qualified to help you...

To board or not to board – is that the question?   Harry Potter and Hogwarts have propelled boarding school life firmly into the spotlight, with a whole new generation...

Some clients have very particular needs and The Good Schools Guide Premier Service is designed to be entirely flexible and match these. Whatever your circumstances we will provide an...

Would your child benefit from a boarding school education? Are you put off by high fees? If so, state boarding schools may be the answer. State boarding schools are cheaper because...

This is a new service offered by The Good Schools Guide Advice Service. The Good Schools Guide has a unique bank of data collected from every available educational source along with...

Entry to top performing state grammar schools is more competitive than ever and forward planning is essential. You will need to think about revision, tuition, a back-up plan, even...

A 30 minute personal advice session on the telephone to help with queries and dilemmas of limited scope eg deciding between two schools or to answer questions on the basics of UK education....

    You don't necessarily have to live in an area with state Grammar Schools to gain a place at one. Some schools will recruit from beyond their home authority, while...

    ... or are their difficulties part of 'normal childhood'? A child may be considered naughty, a fidget, a daydreamer - symptoms of everyday childhood, but  also...

  "Practical, fearless, frank, sympathetic and lively, this guide is exactly what has been needed for a very long time." Nick Hornby, best selling author of ‘High Fidelity’...

  Good Schools Guide online subscription 'The Good Schools Guide school reviews are communicative, interesting, appropriately humorous and reflect an opinion. Well done to...

Educational Psychology is the art of diagnosing the reasons for a child's behaviour or learning difficulties. A good educational psychologist will spend time getting to know your...

Action to take if you think your child has a special educational need Children progress at different rates and have different ways in which they learn best but, if you have concerns,...

'When my child was diagnosed with physical difficulties I was told he'd need to see either a physiotherapist (PT) or an occupational therapist (OT). The referral came through...

Editors banned! - Twenty five years on and still going strong... "It is highly opinionated: the only guide that offers parents a genuine flavour of what a school is like." The...

'Recently...the SEN governor on our board has helped the SENCo produce the self-evaluation form' If you want someone to talk to about what is going on in a school or about how...

'Martin was often very angry, and felt that he did not fit in. Through improvising with the music therapist, he was able to express and share some of his feelings in a constructive...

  The orthoptist - helping your child see differently... 'Coloured lenses - cure or craze?' Orthoptists are specially trained in how the eyes work as a pair, how the eyes are...

'Parents are sometimes flummoxed about what an occupational therapist does. 'Occupational' doesn't explain itself as readily as 'speech and language' or 'physio', and it may conjure...

  'Many parents talk about a 'halo' effect from treatment' Most people are aware that physiotherapy helps children to improve their muscle tone, core stability, balance, posture...

  'There were indeed extenuating circumstances, but this did not appease an irate mother who had to listen to the staff's uninformed opinions on her daughter's abilities!' A...

  Sarah began going to the speech and language clinic for a weekly session with five other children. They played games that helped them listen and use particular speech sounds....

And the winners are...   When it comes to the ‘gold-standard’ maths and sciences A-level subjects, state schools lead the way. An overwhelming 83% of The Good Schools...

  How to use this widget   Choose a qualification. Choose a subject. Choose a gender - boys and girls can perform quite differently in the same school. Choose the...

  Maximising tax benefits  Flora and Rufus, like their parents, have their own personal tax allowance, which in theory should be adequate to cover investment income or...

  Very few savings products or accounts can be held in Flora or Rufus's own name - in fact, only children's bank accounts, friendly society savings plans and NS&I...

  Tutorial Colleges are educational establishments with a difference.  Their appeal depends on offering a tailor-made, (mostly) fifth and sixth form education...

Moving on to senior school...   The transition from junior school to senior school can be a difficult one: the security of one class teacher is replaced by an array of subject...

  Dr Enid Alston, South Thames College of Further Education - explains:   It is not easy to forget the day when a teacher throws a grubby and rather tired folder of...

The Good Schools Guide is the Number 1 trusted guide to schools. Now in its 26th year The Good Schools Guide helps parents in every aspect of choosing the best education for their...

Scroll down or use the quick links:    A-B  C-D  E-G  H-I  J-N  O-Q  R-S  T-Z     A level General...

The SEN system may be in a state of flux but don't let bureaucracy prevent you seeking help for your child. It's thought that approximately 20 per cent of children have special needs...

UK independent schools are still widely regarded as among the best in the world, with top flight schools such as Eton remaining highly sought-after. It's not just the quality of an...

If it’s May it must be time to pass the Prozac...   The stress, the worry, sleepless nights, early rising, recurrent nightmares: turning-up for the wrong exam or discovering...

  Chosen A school? Now find a guardian   British boarding schools will not admit an overseas pupil under the age of 18 unless he or she has a local guardian.    This...

Tom Maher director of British Home Tutors explains why he thinks it’s essential we monitor the monitors. Consoles and computer games are the must-have (or already got) gift,...

The Good Schools Guide 3 Craven Mews London SW11 5PW England Web: www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)203 286 6824 Fax: +44 (0)870 052 4067 Email: editor@thegoodschoolsguide.co.uk We...

How do parents decide what's right for their child? What qualifications are ultimately valued by universities, colleges and employers? Which exams and curricula will prove 'good...

    Nurturing emotional and cognitive intelligence     Underpinning Steiner-Waldorf education is a belief that children should be enthusiastic about, and...

    It is no longer the case that parents opt to educate their children wholly in the private school sector or wholly in state education. Savvy parents are switching...

Is it pure coincidence that the best two subjects at A level are Chinese and mathematics? School league tables have caused a lot of agony and misunderstanding. As raw statistics,...

    A handful of independent schools will take children who have little grasp of English (particularly younger children) but most prefer them to have at least a command...

Free of charge for your charges?   For families resident in the European Union or possessing EU passports, British state schools provide a popular and cost effective means...

  The Good Schools Guide (GSG) Award winning schools for examination performance   Just announced the 2011* examination award winners - Congratulations to all...   GCSE...

Some of our favourite parenting sites. 

Useful 'official' websites from the United Kingdom (and beyond) dealing with a range of education-related issues. 

As UK youngsters venture overseas, so a good number of overseas students choose to spend their gap-year in the UK. Companies vary in their competency and expertise and naturally, much...

Examination boards not only set exams but are also responsible for marking them and distributing results, and awarding qualifications to students. They work with a wide range of education...

  In the state sector, English schools must follow the National Curriculum, adapted as necessary. However, independent schools are free to do as they like. A good many prepare...

Why history may be old hat... Winners of The Good Schools Guide 2009 A level awards for history could be forgiven for thinking that history has repeated itself. More than half...

Apprentice Dragon-Slayers required - apply within... Andrew Grant, headmaster of St Albans School, considers the merits of falling out of a tree... The urban boy or girl, delivered...

Need to find a school inside the M25? There are very many good schools in central and outer London but, with a population of 7 million, how do you get ahead of the crowd?      Fortunately...

All things being equal, always have a go at the school you think is right for your child. Even those independent schools you have been told are jam-packed may have a place. Don’t...

Revision minus the stress - is it really possible? From 16 upwards, top-performers are likely to spend each of the next 5 years revising for 'critical exams'.  And with common...

  l will always be grateful to Gordon Brown, not because of his macro-management of the economy(!) but because his name was the correct answer to my son's 11-plus interview...

  The best schools in the UK are outstanding by any standards. Beware, though, of being fobbed off with second-rate places. For many people outside the UK, Britain's private...

  How to judge the careers department    The careers department, too often that neglected airless cubicle occupied by uninspiring books and a sidelined teacher,...

International Study Centres (ISC)   Children can attend one of these cushy centres for as little as a term but frequently stay for one or two years. Typically they will study...

  Tutorial Colleges are aimed at mature students (aged 16+) whose ultimate aim is to attend a British University.  Tutorial colleges are private academic institutions...

  How the state schools admissions process works depends on where you live within the UK. Recent policies have wised-up to, and tightened-up on, the many scams and ruses...

When things go wrong... "Johnny must go!" declared the Head . "Yessir", responded the father meekly. That was in the old days. Now,the father says "Why?" Peter Woodroffe, Education...

How to find a good Arts, Music, Dance or Drama / Stage School   As proud parents, we all know our children are unique. They're smarter than anyone else's, funnier, certainly...

  Investing thousands in your child's education? How do you ensure the school will survive your child? The death of a school can be a disaster for parents. Schools never...

Everything your child needs to know about English at 11+ Full of wise guidance and sound advice Easy to read, fun and practical   11+ English:...

Terms and Conditions for the Sale of Goods and the Provision of Services on this Website by Lucas Publications Ltd Please read these conditions very carefully before ordering...

Standard terms and conditions for website access   Your access to and use of this site, provided by Lucas Publications is subject to these terms and conditions. Your use of this...

A book that we hope that you will never need Independent Schools Law Custom and Practice by Robert Boyd. Written by a partner at Veale Wasbrough (a firm with much schools experience)...

Books that have proved to be good sources of advice, comfort or amusement on schools and schooling:

Need an academic boost? See our section on Tutors and Tutoring For advice on problems relating to Special Educational Needs, see our extensive SEN section. Please note SEN law is in...

  Tutors: For our extensive advice on choosing a tutor, and our reviews of companies that provide them, consult the tutors section of this website.

Failed to get into your preferred school?  Time is limited so, if you are thinking of appealing, you need to act quickly. There are a number of organisations that can help but...

The Good Schools Guide 2011 - the year's greatest read! "One of the best aids to parents ...informative and witty." Financial Times. "The reviews are communicative, interesting,...

  We are trying to decide whether to send our children to boarding school. Can you offer any advice? Yes, if you are a subscriber you can read (for Good Schools Guide reviewed...

Revision - A day, a week or more? From virtual solitary confinement to a revision lecture with hundreds of other students, what's best is whatever suits your learning style and,...

To ease the process: The Good Schools Guide Advice Service: as if finding new home isn't enough - there are new schools to find too. Let us do it for you. We work with you to find...

Employment Agencies, Head-hunters, Interim Management etc. The Association of Executive Search Consultants: searchable by industry, geography and functional speciality. The Executive...

Is the ideal school hundreds of miles away from your office?  Do you need to change jobs to secure a coveted place? Why not seek the services of a headunter? Alexander Hughes...

A distinction can be made between 'Further Education' and 'Higher education', which is usually associated with universities. But continuing studies isn't just about going to university....

Properties for sale or rent The main internet sites    RightMove.co.uk: Property search is laid out in an easy to use and logical way. Also features guides to various aspects...

A list of the main employment agencies and head-hunters.  The Applegate Directory of employment service companies. Brook Street: local jobs and vacancies. The Employment...

Help with finding a home County Homesearch: 26 offices throughout the UK. Home Fusion: within the M25, with an emphasis on North London. Property Search: cover the day-to-day London...

  The Child Law Advice Line offers advice on all areas of family, child and education law.  These include: child employment; school issues ranging from admissions...

The child with specific learning difficulties can be hard to spot. Often, intelligent and articulate it is their own sense of frustration that is frequently the first clue.   'Specific...

  'Every child is different and Harry may not know that he’s supposed to be dyspraxic because he’s got Asperger’s.'   Over the years there has been...

    The statutory guidance on inclusive schooling that exists for all state schools and nurseries for children with SEN in England doesn't apply to schools in other parts...

Does your pre-school child have special needs?   You may have concerns about your child's sensory development (sight, hearing, speech and language); physical, social, emotional...

ACE is an independent registered charity, which offers information about state education in England and Wales for parents of school-age children. This is a service which, although...

  There is great debate about where a child should be educated. I have been to both special and mainstream schools. I believe, regardless of disability, a school should explore...

Taking care of the vulnerable. Nurture groups  provide a safe environment, help build a child's self-esteem, foster trust and provide a safe, healthy environment in which the...

Debate rages over the best educational route for children with SEN, even for seemingly similar children, with very similar conditions... If a child is profoundly deaf, should...

  Damned by dyspraxia, blinded by dyslexia? Don't despair - help can be there! It isn’t necessarily the type of school you attend, it’s about others understanding...

  Formalising classroom help and target setting   What is an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and what will it mean for a child and their parents if an IEP is suggested? An...

    Right from the start of year 8 at mainstream school I started misbehaving and losing my temper very easily. I still don’t really know why I did. From the start...

  From purgatory to pride: a parent’s experience of ADHD 'No one teaches you how to be a parent, let alone of a child like ours. Our son has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder...

    Seldom do special needs neatly fit into one category. Here, a mother describes how her son was diagnosed first with ADHD and later with dyspraxia. Co-morbidity is...

'Many students go to Further Education (FE) colleges as disaffected or disillusioned learners whose passage through school has been troubled or difficult.' Unlike the average university...

  When school wants a divorce   Every year more than a few children are asked to leave their fee-paying school prematurely. We’re not talking about the kids...

Often, the first a parent hears of his or her child not coping as well as expected is when the teacher suggests placing the child on the special needs register. This can cause great...

If your child needs extra or different help, such as teaching in a different way, different learning materials, extra help individually or in a small group, specialist equipment,...

  If a school cannot meet all the child’s needs from its resources, it may be necessary to apply for a statement of SEN. Statements are designed to ensure a child's...

Autism - a lifelong condition   With grateful thanks to the National Autistic Society for their help in compiling this article. Autism is a lifelong developmental...

    Children with PDD may find it difficult to interact with others, and are likely to have communication difficulties, both verbal and non-verbal. It...

  Children with SPD find it more difficult to extract the central meaning or the saliency of an event. They tend to focus on detail instead, for example: they may, find the...

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is one of the most challenging and controversial areas of special education facing teachers in UK schools today. Parents of ADD children live in...

ADD/ADHD case histories With thanks to Fintan J O’Regan, international expert in ADD/ADHD. It is obviously difficult to assess the time and costs to support children with...

Educational support such as special help from a trained teacher outside the child’s class plus extra help within the class can enable a child to remain in mainstream school. Sometimes...

  Behavioural emotional and social difficulties (BESD) describes a wide range of conditions including: withdrawn, depressive or suicidal attitudes; an obsessive preoccupation...

Obsessional, aggressive, defiant the characteristics of a typical teenager, or cause for concern and alarm? How do you spot the difference between a child who is 'pushing the boundaries'...

  The abilities of children with Down’s syndrome vary enormously, but most tend to be within the mild to moderate learning disability range. Parents of children with...

Fragile X is the second most commonly occurring inherited condition after Down’s syndrome. Children with Fragile X may be developmentally delayed and experience learning...

Whilst there is variability in the severity of the disorder, most people with Rett syndrome are profoundly and multiply disabled with high dependency needs throughout life. Initial...

Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes are rare genetic conditions both caused by irregularities in chromosome 15. They aren’t diseases, but are neurological disorders which can...

Spider writing, letters of all shapes and sizes, appearing above and below the line, some joined-up, some printed with a random mixture of CApitAl and loWer-caSE letters? Avoidance...

Reading, writing, spelling difficulties - could the problems your child is facing be indicative of dyslexia? Dyslexia is a common difficulty, but that does not make it less of a...

  Katherine Hamlyn - the author of the best-selling 11+ English: A Parent's Toolkit (published by The Good Schools Guide) not only provides incisive answers and helpful...

  Love it or loathe it, you just can't get away from the fact that maths matters, yet many people have a ‘difficulty’ with maths – hated it at school, couldn’t...

Is your child's room a nightmare? Are you always buying band-aid? Do you have trouble deciphering what they have written? Dyspraxic children may be more likely to fall or trip...

  Does your child have difficulty making consistent speech sounds or producing words, yet have good receptive language skills? Is so, they have Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia...

Non-specific learning difficulties overview When children have learning difficulties that are more generalised and don’t relate to a specific neural problem or immaturity, they...

The majority of children with MLD are educated in mainstream schools, with provision made for additional help and support appropriate to their needs.  However, often, by secondary...

Children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) are likely to find it difficult to understand, learn and remember new skills. As a result they will have problems with both...

In addition to very severe learning difficulties, children with profound and multiple difficulties  have other significant problems, and complex needs. These may include physical...

  Vision and reading problems     Sometimes problems with reading or focusing have nothing to do with actual visual impairment, but with control over how the...

  The number of schools that exist specifically for children with visual impairment has fallen significantly in recent years, and those that remain are educating pupils with...

    Children with a hearing impairment range from those with a mild hearing loss to those who are profoundly deaf. Some pass the hearing screen tests in school, but...

Is your child easily distracted? Do they find noisy environments upsetting? Is reading, writing and spelling a problem? Do they find it hard to follow conversations? Could they...

  Children with multi-sensory impairment have both visual and hearing difficulties and are sometimes referred to as deaf-blind. Incidental learning is limited and children...

  When a child is noticeably behind their peers in acquiring speech and/or language skills, communication is considered delayed. Sometimes a child will have greater receptive...

The term selective (or elective) mutism describes the behaviour of children who are able to speak, but remain silent with certain people or in certain settings; they are often misunderstood...

    Spina bifida meaning split spine, occurs very early in pregnancy. The neural tube, which should develop to form the spinal cord, brain and spine, is split and...

  Most children with epilepsy attend mainstream schools and do not require any additional provision, aside from special consideration or understanding.  Epilepsy is...

As a result of muscle weakness and spasticity, a child with cerebral palsy will often appear clumsy when walking, talking, using their hands or carrying out everyday tasks and activities...

  Tourette’s syndrome (TS) usually starts in childhood, around the age of 7. The first symptoms of Tourette's syndrome are usually facial tics such as rapid blinking...

  My son signals he needs to leave the room to release a flurry of tics by asking the teacher if he can get a drink of water. Depending on the nature of the tics, it may be...

  To understand highly gifted children it is essential to realise that, although they are children with the same basic needs as other children, they are also very different. So...

  Starting school 'There's nothing quite like your child's first day at school, that gut-twisting feeling when your four-year-old waves you goodbye and sets off alone on...

How do you decide what type of school or level of SEN provision is right for your child? As mainstream schools cater for an ever increasing range of special educational needs (SEN)...

Each school as unique as your child? Give a great deal of thought to what sort of character you want your child to turn out to be. Boarding schools, because they enfold your child...

Is there a perfect age to become a boarder? The younger the better, a year before senior school, sixth-form, when family circumstances dictate or not at all? ‘If the child...

  It's not just the financial outlay... Most people are aware that, for the vast majority of boarding schools hefty fees and extras are a given, but what about the hidden costs? The...

  Under the Disability Discrimination Act, appropriate help must be provided by schools and colleges so that children with special educational needs are ‘on a level playing...

Many of the greatest thinkers and creators of our time were neuro-diverse: Albert Einstein, Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Winston Churchill and Jamie Oliver to name just a few! Neuro-diverse...

Subscription queries answered   So much information is available free of charge, what are the benefits of subscribing? If you think our free information is good, wait until...

I am the head of a school. How can I organise for one of your writers to visit us? The Good Schools Guide is an independent guide (we do not charge schools for their entries). The...

Stupendous! Extraordinary! Notable! – Gongs galore!..   What a summer 2008 was! Golden boy Michael Phelps swam his way to a staggering eight gold medals in one Olympic...

Something to say? Few people can resist sharing their thoughts and views on education and schools and why not? We like having our say and much of what we say comes from you...

Read all about it...   "David Cameron doesn't just live "in London". He lives in SW1A 2AA. It's a nice area but according to The Good Schools Guide, it's not over-blessed...

  If you plan to ask difficult or embarrassing questions preserve your anonymity by NOT wearing a badge. The ripping down of tattered displays, cleaning of classrooms and smartening...

  Anxious parents are willing to lie, cheat, and even change their religion to get their offspring into the right school.    With the financial crisis in full...

  Selective grammar schools are often viewed as a great and 'free' alternative to an independent school education. But are they really a bargain? In areas with grammar schools,...

These Catchment Area1 Maps show, for each English state school, where pupils come from (independent schools and other countries do not have catchment data). To interpret the maps properly,...

  People whose brains process information differently have a great deal to offer the corporate world, if that world understands how to accept it. Once young people reach the...

  Connexions is the government’s support service for all young people aged 13–19 in England. It offers support through personal advisers, who can provide not only...

Understanding learning difficulties and disabilities in the workplace A number of organisations provide training, consultancy and resources to promote understanding of difficulties...

    If the type of education or support you need is not available at your local FE college, it may be possible for you to go to a specialist or residential college such...

Pro test or protest? Eton started it, now they've been followed by Marlborough, Wellington and getting on for a dozen others. What are they after - precocious sophistication or just...

An alarming and unacceptable 14% of children are not meeting reading expectations. That's more than more than 4 per typical primary school class. In 2008 only 86% of children attained...

Click on any area to see the 50 nearest state schools. This map shows, for each area1 in England2, the average performance of its schools they do not say anything about how well...

Contact a Family provides support, advice and information to families with disabled children across the UK. They can help parents through any and every stage of their special needs...

  If you really want an alternative education, where children are free to attend lessons or not, Summerhill may be the ticket. A haven for those who find school challenging,...

IPSEA is a volunteer-based organisation. Many of the volunteers who provide telephone advice and support at tribunals are themselves parents of children with special educational needs...

We are particularly grateful to ISEA for providing invaluable, highly-readable advice on SEN and Scottish law for The Good Schools Guide - Special Educational Needs Guide. We're sure...

Parent partnership services support parents of children with SEN by offering information, advice and support. Under the terms of the 1996 Education Act, a local authority must...

  SOS!SEN is a friendly, helpful organisation with parents at their very heart. Not just well-intentioned: they really do work wonders for parents of children with learning...

Local Authority (LA) contact details

The best days of their life? Every September thousands of youngsters take the first tentative steps on an education journey that will shape their future. 'There's nothing quite...

  Children are tested either on entry to school or even before they have set foot through the door. Not just the three Rs and cognitive ability, but interaction, co-operation...

  YoungMinds provides comprehensive information on a range of mental health issues that affect children and young people such as: depression, eating problems, self-harming,...

    Skill helps disabled people across the UK make the most of their learning and employment opportunities. Skill is an independent national charity that promotes...

Everyone's credit is crunching but, tellingly, tutor companies are reporting no downturn in numbers of clients. It is interesting to reflect on what that says about people's priorities...

The Good Schools Guide team have visited a selection of Montessori schools and independently reviewed them. Montessori schools are a particularly popular option with parents of younger...

  'The ultimate aim is for a child to be as independent as possible...   ...Everything is so positive even if learning is slow and limited every child benefits from intensive...

Schools for the teaching of children with dyslexia   If your child is in need of specialist help for dyslexia, and possibly other associated difficulties such as dyscalculia...

  The Good Schools Guide - Can you afford not to read it?   Authoritative, sought-after, truthful...   Try before you buy Click on the links below to read...

  'The 11+?” you may query. “I thought we abolished that back in the ’70s!'   This is THE must read article for any parent of a child under eleven years...

  Pioneered by Maria Montessori to educate the poor in Italy, to the uninitiated, Montessori methods may seem like a free-for-all.  The reality is carefully thought...

    We feature in-depth reviews of more than 250 state school, have catchment area information on most English state schools and detailed exams analysis on all applicable...

  A feature of dyslexia friendly schools is to take the fear out of school for children with dyslexia; many of whom, if not correctly and expertly helped can feel alienated...

  Sometime ago I organised a day conference for dyslexic pupils from a neighbouring comprehensive school. At the end of the day, the pupils got together in groups and listed what...

Preparing your child for 11+ (or 13+) Maths   I was taught things like ‘cross multiply’ and to multiply by 10 put a zero on the end– will these help my child? We...

Children, who are supported in their studies by parents, can make great strides both in performance and a confidence. How you help your child depends on your own interests and confidence;...

It was the lack of a grasp of simple probability that led expert witnesses to conclude wrongly that mothers, with more than one child who had suffered a cot death, were guilty of...

  On first glance, children with dyspraxia may not seem different from other children around them, until they are asked, perhaps, to do a co-ordination task at speed. Passing...

'When I was seven I declared, to my teacher, that I wasn't going to paint anymore and I didn't. When other children took to their easel I took to my history project.' But, other...

  A selection of comments from Good Schools Guide Advice Service clients     Cake [sent as a gift] is a poor substitute for the advice, which we appreciated all...

For advertising and licensing information please contact:   Charlotte Hollingshead Publishing Matters Friston Studios Coreway Sidford Sidmouth Devon EX10 9SE Direct line:...

Looking for professional schools advice for your employees or clients? The Good Schools Guide is THE authority other educational consultants turn to.   Corporate and Group...

Put the spoons away...   Dr John L Taylor, Director of Critical Skills, at Rugby School, and Chief Examiner for Edexcel Project Qualifications explains, why even Harvard professors...

International schools in Britain The Good Schools Guide covers all schools in the UK including international schools based here; with in-depth reviews of the 1000+ 'Good Schools'....

With thanks to the RNIB. The needs of the individual will vary so do check but visually impaired children usually find it easier to work in rooms where lighting levels are lower...

Beware the 'all-exclusive'.   While some schools offer a virtually ‘all-inclusive’ package, at others it’s akin to paying for a 5-star hotel then discovering...

  The home education journey - tickets anyone?   Would you consider educating your own children rather than sending them to a school? This is exactly what my daughter...

  Schools ranked by performance in individual subjects at age 18

Unique   NO SCHOOL CAN PAY TO BE IN THE PRINTED GUIDE WE CHOOSE THE SCHOOLS WE WANT TO REVIEWWE VISIT SCHOOLS AND INDEPENDENTLY WRITE THE REVIEWS    The printed...

Play, in its many forms, contributes to our development. It provides opportunities to use imagination and to be creative. Through play there is the potential to explore the natural...

    Gifted children are not ‘young Einsteins’ or geniuses in the making but children with above average intelligence who have the capacity to achieve well...

  Gifted is one of a number of issues in education that cause the blood to stir. For some 'Gifted' is an elitist concept that beggars definition; others do not see what all...

    'Don't just tell them about a cherry pie - show them; let them smell, touch, taste - even make one. ' Talking in the abstract can alienate even the most gifted learner....

Instructions for use Enter an English postcode to see a map of the state schools used by people living round there (we have no data on other parts of the UK). Refine the display by...

Instructions for use   Select the year of entry that interests you (e.g. Year 7 for secondary schools), if more than one such year is available. If you wish, select a calendar...

How is this map helpful? This map provides an immediate visual impression of:  where to live if you want access to good schools This map, (and the others like it), show the...

Instructions for use Choose a qualification (eg AS or A-level)  to see the results for that qualification.   What does this graph tell me? The purpose of this is to allow...

Instructions: Choose a qualification to see how grades in this school compare with national results.   What the graph shows The green bars show the cumulative percentage of...

About this pie chart This chart shows which qualifications are important in this school. Qualifications are weighted according to their A level equivalence - so a school where pupils...

Instructions for use   The green bars show the percentage of pupils nationally who get each grade.  Choose a qualification to see how grades in this school compare with...

About this graph This graph looks at the profile of the school as a whole. Sixth form intake, sixth form outcome and sixth form value added use similar formats. They show the cumulative...

About this chart This chart show the trend in the numbers on roll, and in two performance measures.   In hard and uncertain times numbers are a quick indicator of the health...

SENs and their associated problems are as wide-ranging and individual as the child. If you decide to visit a school, allow at least half a day, longer if your child will be boarding...

Few things cause so much angst for parents as finding the right school for their child. Once offspring have been through the system most parents wise up to what’s really on...

  Finding schools that provide for particular educational or medical needs on this site...Choosing a school for any child can be difficult. When the child also has an SEN decisions...

  The special school v mainstream school debate  can be traced back to the Warnock Report of 1978. It coined the phrase special educational needs (SEN) and suggested 20%...

'Schools in socially deprived areas do not  have to have depressed outcomes.' As Jasminder Grewal, Headteacher of North Primary School, explains:  Education,...

'There is many a dyslexic father who lies to his children about why he won't read them a bedtime story' At its best, counselling has helped alleviate misery and confusion in pretty...

'A good learning support assistant will offer the tools to help the child to succeed.' A good assistant won't be a barrier to the child working with other children, and all good...

Life-skills are what's necessary to live at ease with yourself, interact with others successfully and maintain relationships, live successfully as a contributing member of a community...

  An average placement in an independent special school is likely to be twice as expensive as that in a maintained school.  But does more expensive equal better? What...

By attending a mainstream school it’s suggested that children with SEN are on an even footing, not marked out as different. Yet children with special needs who attend mainstream...

Ultimately what matters, is getting the most appropriate type of schooling at the right time and having a choice available. We highlight the features that make a school good for SEN...

  Bridging the divide? A greater understanding of special needs and improved resources means that, for many children, it is no longer a straight choice of being educated...

  When it comes to choosing a specialist school beware of schools that offer all things to all people. What is the head’s attitude, and what are the children like? There...

    If your child has a statement of SEN and you live in England, you can, on part 4 of the statement name the school you wish your child to attend. It can be a mainstream...

    When a child has known special needs, interview and assessment are the norm. This is to make sure school and child are a good match, and to consider any further...

  Ms Clarissa Farr MA PGCE the High Mistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School in west London believes: 'Those who think we are now educating girls for an equal society...

Ipod too far? Or, just maybe, parents should get in on the act Are holidays  designed for youngsters to loll about on sofas, multi tasking with their ipods, laptops and the...

How to use Look for schools that interest you.   Information: Mothers intending: if you want to guarantee you child improved life chances, get your partner to tie a knot...

Ofsted publishes annual summaries of its inspection judgements, this chart is derived from them. It gives you a quick look at how Ofsted rates the school on the main criteria that...

The green bars show the numbers of schools in each band of the chosen measure, so you can see how this school (the yellow bar) stands in the company of its peers.

How to use   Choose a subject, a university, or both.   Any warnings? Exercise your curiosity as to which schools are best at getting their pupils into your chosen courses...

Which years does the data refer to?   The information is based on data from September 2005 - 2008. 2009 is in the course of analysis. University data is not generally available...

How to use This widget opens with a summary chart. To see the detail that lies beneath a summary category (e.g. Science) click on its bars. To return to the summary click on the...

How to use If you are offered a choice (which depends on the nature of the school) please choose the year of arrival or departure that interests you.   About the entry/exit...

How to use This widget is used to compare up to 200 schools by their performance in individual subjects, but works best with no more than 20 Choose a measure to compare schools...

  This widget is used to compare up to 200 schools by a number of performance measures, but works best with no more than 20. Choose two measures to compare them by There are...

This is a list of all the web-accessible spring and summer courses that we know of. We have not visited or assessed these courses in any way (let us know what you think of them if you...

How to use Choose a subject and a gender   What does this widget show? Schools are listed in descending order of Wow Factor1 for the performance at A level (for the subject...

     'A little bit of Oxford fell to earth one day, it landed in Winchester.' Keith Pusey's attempts to retire from WInchester College in 2009 didn't quite go...

Sit there for the present... We sincerely hope teachers will give our children the gift of learning but in this season of goodwill, what can parents offer in return? The...

To use this widget   Choose a qualification Choose a subject Choose a gender - boys and girls can perform quite differently in the same school. Choose the kind of school...

Statements explained 'My number one piece of advice would be to review every SINGLE word in a statement every year. I did not realise how important it was to quantify help and so...

Special needs and the law Education law is a complex business and one that's easy to misquote or misunderstand, especially as each country of the UK has its own educational legislation....

When can mediation help? 'The service is voluntary and free to parents....Taking part in mediation does not prejudice any rights to appeal to the SEN & Disability Tribunal (SENDIST)....

'Negligence could include a failure to educate, to take proper account of dyslexia and other learning difficulties.' Fees, bullying, breach of contract, negligence...The vast majority...

The Code of Practice All maintained-sector schools, including city academies, city technology colleges, pupil referral units and early years settings that receive government funding,...

Scotland's Education Act 'It is imperative that parents are aware of their rights in order that they access the appropriate system The Act does give a power to an LA to help a child...

With thanks to David Ruebain, education and disability lawyer (England) Grounds for appealing SENDIST - the Special Educational Needs tribunal was set up in 1994 to deal with appeals...

Since September 2002, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has been extended (by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001) to cover discrimination faced by disabled...

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This widget displays school performance, subject by subject.

An acclaimed panel including: Brian Sewell - Art Critic, London Evening Standard John Julius Norwich - Historian Sir Timothy Clifford - Former Director of the National Galleries...