Choosing a school

British school system

Normal primary school admissions are at 3+ into the nursery or 4+ into the reception class. Some are divided into infant and junior schools, the latter starting at 7 years. Most secondary schools start at 11. For a normal application, you will need to apply – with a local address - by around mid-January for primary schools and the end of October of the year before entry for secondary schools.

Catchment area cheat

Pressure for places in the UK’s best state schools is intensifying with state grammar schools leading the way. Popular schools see upwards of 10 applicants for every place. In 2014, almost half of children in some areas have been rejected from their preferred secondary school. Catchment areas are already shrinking as parents who had planned on private schooling join the battle for places in the best state schools.

Child protection

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 school's staff will take the greatest care to ensure that this is always the case.The chances are that your expectations will be fulfilled. Unfortunately, in a sad minority of cases that is not what happens.

Choosing a school - thoughts for parents

What do you want for your child? State school or fee-paying? Day or boarding school? Single sex or co-education? It helps to have a game plan, even if you change it at a later date. What do you want from the school? Undoubtedly you want to find a great school, one that's ideal for your child, with great teaching and possibly good facilities to match.

Educating the gifted child

Gifted children develop cognitively at a much faster rate than they develop physically, emotionally and socially, posing some interesting problems. For some, rapidly grasping what others cannot can lead to boredom, frustration and inappropriate behaviour. In all these cases there are challenges for parents, teachers and the child, who sees conforming to the norm as a major peer requirement.

Evaluating careers departments

What schools teach their pupils ought to be aimed as much at the lives which will follow university as at those dreaded examinations — and the careers department ought to be a strong part of that focus. Undergraduates who started the career decision-making process at school will be likely to make better use of their time at university.

From embryo to eighteen - how to survive the education highway

A lively look at education planning for children of all ages and their parents. We guide you through the schooling stages from 0-18 in both the independent and state sectors, and tell you what to plan for and when.

Getting the most out of parents’ evenings

The regular opportunity to speak to your child’s teachers is not to be missed. Nicky Adams offers some pointers on squeezing the most out of parents’ evenings.

Inspection reports from Ofsted

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 the shopping centre. Puzzling? So just what do inspection reports tell us and have they any value? The answers are lots, and yes, if you know how to read them.

International study centres

International study centres are now dotted around the UK in both the most obvious and the least expected places. These centres serve as a means of teaching young people (usually from age 11-16) academic English and introducing them to English culture and English education. The aim of most of these schools is to provide a gentle transition for foreign (non-English-speaking) adolescents into life in an English school, often as boarders, and to prepare them for either A levels or, in some cases, the IB diploma, which then leads to university entry. In some cases GCSEs or IGSCEs are offered alongside intensive English language programmes to facilitate this preparation.

Mix and match state and private education

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 £150,000+ you’ll need to educate a child privately from nursery to university. But paying for a private education from finger painting to Freshers’ Week is not an option for most families. .

Questions to ask when visiting a school - academic matters

Don't rely on league tables  - look beyond the headlines. Check-out our detailed analysis of results for English state schools to uncover how well a school does for a child like yours. Whether the most able, least able or Annie Average, what matters is how enthusiastic the school is about teaching and developing a child.

Questions to ask when visiting a school - beyond the classroom

Every school says it has plenty of extracurricular activities, but don’t take their word for it. The only drama on offer might be staff fleeing, when the whistle blows! Academic excellence is important but don't underestimate the value of great pastoral care, trips, sport, music, the arts...and how welcome parents are - or not.

Schools and the law: parent power prevails

When to engage legal help. The vast majority of schools act fairly and provide good pastoral care; it is only occasionally that things go wrong. In those circumstances, it is my task to negotiate a fair settlement with the school, steering the parent away from proceedings, unless that is absolutely necessary. Parents need advice as to whether they have a genuine complaint or not.

Schools for children with performing arts talents

As proud parents, we all know our children are unique. They're smarter than anyone else's, funnier, certainly more attractive, better behaved and above all bursting with the kind of talent that would leave Daniel Radcliffe, Jamie Bell and Charlotte Church standing. And for some extraordinary - though totally understandable - reason, everyone but us seems blind to our offspring's God-given artistic gifts.

Schools in London

Let our experts help you navigate the capital’s education jungle. Need to find a school in London? There are very many great schools in central and outer London but, with a population of 8.4 million, places at the best schools can be in short supply. Fortunately The Good Schools Guide is on hand to help. We have considerable data on almost all London schools and we have visited, researched and reviewed many of the good independent and state schools in London.

Sex and drugs and homesickness

Given that the majority of boarding school pupils are aged from 13 upwards, some parents might think school fees a small price to pay for letting trained professionals steer their hormonal offspring over the turbulent waters of adolescence. Even so, we all know that risk taking, underage drinking, drugs, sex, self-harm, anorexia and the other ills that teenage flesh is heir to, can occur right under parents’ noses. What then should you expect boarding schools to do to keep young people safe?

Starting school

The first day at school is a large step for both parents and children, even those who have thrived at pre-school and are eager to move up to ‘big school’. So how can you help to make starting school an enjoyable experience?

The right to see your child’s educational records

Schools can be cagey in the extreme when it comes to revealing anything which might make them vulnerable to a complaint, including information about your child. So what are your rights in terms of accessing your child’s educational records?

Visiting a school - questions for pupils

If you get the chance, chat to pupils; they are the ones who really know what's happening both inside and outside of the classroom. Try not to ask leading questions; similarly don't ask closed questions, especially if visiting a senior boys' school, otherwise you may elicit little more than a grunt.

Types of school

Alternative Schools

• Alternative education Steiner-Waldorf philosophy

  Nurturing emotional and cognitive intelligence. Underpinning Steiner-Waldorf education is a belief that children should be enthusiastic about, and enjoy, learning for its own sake; not to pass exams. As a result enquiry and exploration are encouraged. Read more...

• Alternative education, Montessori - creativity, exploration...

  Pioneered by Maria Montessori to educate the poor in Italy, to the uninitiated, Montessori methods may seem like a free-for-all. Homework, testing and exams are seldom found, the Montessori method concentrates on personal development and progress. Read more...

• Alternative education, Summerhill - learning for life

  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, but not for the challenged or problem teenager, it emphasises knowing yourself and friendship. Read more...

• Home Education - a parent's guide to breaking up from the system

  First, the myths. Home education isn’t illegal in the UK (though it is in some other countries such as Germany). Nor is it deviant or something undertaken only by weirdos whose extreme religious or dietary views put them at odds with society. You’ll definitely encounter a few distinctly quirky perspectives among home educating parents but probably no more so than in any other community defending strongly held views that set it apart from the mainstream. Read more...

Grammar Schools

• Finding a state grammar school

  

  Counties such as Kent or Buckinghamshire are ‘selective authorities’ and most families will have at least one grammar school close to where they live. Elsewhere, for example in Reading or Kingston-on-Thames, there are just one or two grammar schools and competition for places at these is ferocious.

  How to find a state grammar school

  Grammar schools are located in 36 English local authorities. Almost half of these are considered 'selective authorities' (eg Kent and Buckinghamshire), where around one in five local children are selected for grammar school entry based on ability. The others are areas such as Barnet or Kingston, with only a few grammar schools.

  A word of warning: not all selective grammar schools have 'grammar' in their name. Bournemouth School and Dr Challoner's High School are just two examples. Likewise, many schools with grammar in their name are actually fee-paying independent schools (Bradford Grammar School and Bristol Grammar School for example).

  Do you have to live in a grammar school area? Read more...

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  Grammar Schools further reading

• Grammar school admissions

  State grammar schools are permitted to select pupils by ability. Children are usually tested in the final year of primary school (aged 10/11), by an exam commonly known as the 11+. A few schools test for entry at 13+, and many re-open their books at 16+. Some grammar schools now give preference to qualifying children on Pupil Premium.

• Grammar schools - a brief history

  The term grammar school was coined in medieval times, but modern-day state grammar schools came into being as a result of the 1944 Education Act; this made provision for a tripartite system of education, open to all.

• Grammar schools - best value added

  We examined the value-added from KS2 to GCSE for 2015 to see which state selective grammar schools added the most value to their offspring. A note of caution - the more highly selective a grammar school, the less scope there will be to add value.

• Grammar Schools - the politics

  Grammar schools continue to divide opinion. Supporters believe a grammar school education gives all children, regardless of social class, a passport to a good education and future. Detractors point out that grammar schools take very few pupils entitled to free school meals, and denounce them as elitist, divisive and damaging to the moral and esteem of children who feel themselves to be failures at the age of 11.

• State grammar school local authorities

  State grammar schools are located in the following local authorities:

  Grammar schools in London:

  1. London Borough of Barnet
  2. London Borough of Bexley
  3. London Borough of Bromley
  4. London Borough of Enfield
  5. Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
  6. ....

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Independent Schools

• Independent school system in a nutshell

  Left scratching your head about the difference between public school, private school and independent school? And where on earth prep schools and boarding schools fit into the picture? Fear not – our at a glance guide will set you straight:

  1. Public schools: historically, the most exclusive – and expensive – of boys’ private (mainly boarding) schools, eg Eton, Harrow and Winchester. Formerly the realm of the upper classes, who are now (with fees topping £30K) joined by offspring of moneyed entrepreneurs, business people and internationals. Now often co-ed, attended by boys and girls aged 13 to 18.
  2. Boarding schools: schools with facilities for pupils to have a home from home on a termly, weekly or flexible basis, often offering superb facilities and a multitude of extracurricular activities. NB most now include a large proportion of day pupils.
  3. Independent schools and private schools: essentially the same thing, ranging from grand public schools and highly selective day schools to tiny local ones and everything in between. The common denominator is that they have no state funding but rely on tuition fees, gifts and endowments.
  4. Prep and pre-prep schools: preparatory/pre-preparatory schools – essentially independent primary schools for children aged 3 to 7/8 (pre-preps), or aged 7 to 11/13  (preps). They prepare pupils for entry to mainly independent secondary schools of all types. Read more...

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  Independent Schools further reading

• Overseas applicant advice

  Boarding schools should be and generally are exceedingly pleased to welcome overseas pupils. Quite apart from bringing the world to Britain, their patronage almost certainly saved a fair few establishments from going under when the financial crisis was at its worst.

• Preps and Pre-Preps

  As their name suggests, the main aim of ‘preparatory schools’, or prep schools, is to prepare children for entry to fee-paying senior schools at 11 or 13. Traditionally, pre-preps take children from 3 or 4 and prepare them for moving on to preps at 7 or 8. There are fewer stand-alone pre-preps than there used to be as their main market, the boarding prep, has declined in numbers.

• School fees - credit crunch crisis?

  Getting in and out of financial difficulties, the attitude to bill-paying and money varies hugely - the best schools are wonderful and increasingly flexible about payment terms allowing arrangements such as monthly installments. Bursars are expecting this request from cash-strapped parents, no shame attached.

• School fees - extras

  While some schools offer a virtually ‘all-inclusive’ package, at others it’s akin to paying for a 5-star hotel then discovering the rate doesn't include the bed, or towels, or hot-water or cleaning...It's not just children who think money grows on trees, judging by the extras added to the bills of a good many fee-paying schools, so do finance committees!

• School fees, financial assistance, scholarships and bursaries

  You want an independent school education for your children but can’t afford the fees? These days, independent education - especially if you have more than one child - is out of the financial reach of most people. Fees have rocketed in relation to salaries and inflation, and families whose children have traditionally boarded for generations are now looking for cheaper alternatives.

• School interviews

  While state schools are prohibited from interviewing any but potential sixth form students, the interview is an integral part of nearly every private school admissions process, and tends to send the applicant’s parents, rather than the actual applicant, into a spin. Parents feel considerably more responsible for their child’s social presentation than for his or her ability to do long division or conjugate French verbs.

• School open days

  They may not truly reflect day-to-day life at a school (this will be school at its best) but they'll give you a flavour of what's happening and allow you to soak up the atmosphere. They are your chance to have the upper hand, get a feel for the school and chat with pupils and staff. Do visit more than one school: it’s useful to compare and contrast.

• Sussing out boarding

  To board or not to board – is that the question? Traditionally, heartless British parents sent their little darlings off to school at 7 or 8 and didn’t give them another thought until it was time for university. Tom Brown’s schooldays? Go to the bottom of the class. Cold showers, initiation ceremonies and enforced runs are more or less a thing of the past.

• UK boarding - finding a guardian

  If a child is starting school in the UK and their parents can’t be with them, it makes sense to have another adult in the frame, someone outside their school who can act as a stand-in parent and become a trusted presence in their lives when they need someone to turn to. The people who take on the job are known as guardians.

• What type of boarding - full, weekly or flexi?

  If you’re reading this you’ve probably already decided that boarding might suit your son or daughter. If so the next step is to consider the arrangement that best suits your family. Unlike the old days, when youngsters were packed off to school at the age of 7 or 8 and didn’t see home again until the end of term, today’s boarding schools offer parents a choice of full boarding, weekly boarding, flexi boarding or even a combination of these. For instance, flexi boarders may wish to weekly board during exam times or become full boarders in the sixth form.

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Nursery Schools

• Child care choices for under 5s

  What type of childcare suits your family best? We’ve not met a parent who has done birth to school without some form of help. Everyone needs a new perspective on – or a break from - their children at some point in those 5 years. Children also need interaction and to form attachments with those other than their parents for their wellbeing. Read more...

• Finding the right nursery school for your child

  Pre-school isn't compulsory and for good reason. Not all parents want their child to attend a pre-school and it will not suit every child. Your child's early years may be spent at home, with you or with a nanny or au-pair. Alternatively, you may decide that time away from home suits you both. Possibilities include child-minder, nursery, kindergarten, creche, pre-school, play-group, pre-prep school, toddler group. Read more...

• Nurseries and early years - your questions answered

  All work and no play? All play and no work? Or something inbetween? Whatever you choose, think safety first. Nursery / early years education should be an exciting, important, formative part of your child's development but finding what's ideal for your child isn't always easy. The sector is regulated and inspected, though painful headlines haven't completely disappeared. Read more...

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State Schools

• A guide to State schools - the right one?

  When it comes to choosing a state school, how do you work out what is hot and what is decidedly not?

  State schools exist not only in a variety of forms, but with nuances between those.  Some areas continue to have a selective system at 11; others do not. Many secondary schools – and a few primary schools – are now academies. Plenty of these are part of large academy chains such as Harris Federation, E-Act or ARK. Other schools are free schools, set up by local groups, often with a faith designation. These are all state schools, funded by the government, but academies and free schools are not overseen by local authorities. Controversially, they are permitted to employ unqualified teachers, set their own admission criteria and ignore the national curriculum..

  State schools - the main contenders

  However, worry less about the type of school - there are good and bad within all - but look instead at the individual school and how well it will suit your child.

  Over the last 100 years, successive governments have struggled to improve education by reforming its structure, over and over again. What hasn't changed is that in the UK all state schools are entirely free to parents as they are funded through taxation. 

  On this site you will find a wealth of information to help you choose the right school for your child. We have an extensive search facility - simply enter your criteria to locate potential schools.

  School admissions and catchment areas can be tricky. We explain the former and have produced catchment maps showing where children who attend (or have attended) a school come from. See how far they travel and, importantly find out which schools you may be in catchment for, via our Interactive Catchment Area Search and easy to use catchment area maps. Be aware, though, that catchments vary each year. Read more...

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  State Schools further reading

• Appealing for a school place

  Despite all you’ve heard about competition for places at the school you want for your child, it’s still a huge shock when your secondary offer comes through for Unpopular Academy instead. Don’t despair  - you have a legal right to appeal to any school named on your preference form. But it’s vital to have a back-up plan alongside going through the appeals process.

• At the school appeal hearing

  It isn’t compulsory to attend – the panel will consider your case on the documents alone if you don’t – but it would be unwise not to. You can bring a witness or advisor with you, but organise this in good time as you are usually required to give names of those attending a couple of weeks ahead of the hearing.

• British schools

  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 of educating your children in the UK. The majority of schools are day schools but particularly useful are the 36 state boarding schools in the UK which provide for families who can demonstrate a boarding need.

• Evidence for a school appeal

  You must be able to provide documentary evidence of the claims you make. Request letters from professionals immediately, because they may take two weeks to produce them. If there is a health issue, you need a doctor’s letter. If you want school A over school B owing to its dyslexia provision, you need evidence of your child’s difficulties and the difference in help provided at each school.

• Grounds for school appeal

  Places at a school can be granted on appeal in two circumstances: 1) When a school has applied its admissions procedures incorrectly (rare as hens’ teeth), or 2) When the harm done to your child by not getting a place there will be greater than that caused to all the other children by overcrowding (particularly difficult to prove at infant level where class sizes are limited by law to 30).

• Lodging your school appeal

  You are legally entitled to appeal to all the schools you named on your preference form, or if you got your third choice, for example, you can just appeal to the two you prefer. There’s nothing to lose by appealing to all of them. Hearings take place over a couple of months, so you can always drop out of later ones if you get offered a place you are happy with.

• Preparing for a school appeal hearing

  You will be sent a document outlining the reasons why your child did not get a place at the school of your choice – essentially, that other children were higher up the priority list according to the school’s admission criteria.

• Primary school admissions – where do I start?

  Taking that first step into primary school education is crucial for you and your child, but how should you go about making that all important decision as to which junior school is the one?

• State boarding schools

  If you think your child would benefit from a boarding school education, but are put off by the high fees and consequent limited social mix of a typical independent boarding school, you may find that a state boarding school is the answer.

• State school admissions - how to secure a place

  School admissions in England are regulated by the Schools Admissions Code, and schools must play fair, ensuring their admissions policy is not only fair but also transparent. Parents must play fair too: schools and local authorities are wising up on parental attempts to circumvent the code, and hundreds of school places are withdrawn every year, sometimes after the child has started school.

• Still daunted?

  We offer a 30 minute telephone consultation with a highly experienced appeals expert. She will listen to your particular circumstances, suggest ways of approaching your appeal which will optimise your chances of success and give advice on dos and don’ts. She will be frank and realistic and tell you what your chances of success are. Phone 020 3286 6824 or email consultants@goodschoolsguide.co.uk for The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants, which also offers help and advice to parents on finding a school, selection and admissions.

• What are my chances of success?

  It’s impossible to put a figure on this for secondary schools – though we have heard that on average around 15 per cent succeed overall. It varies enormously between schools and between years. You can ask the local authority for figures for the numbers admitted on appeal each year to schools you are interested in, which will give you some idea.