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• 'Winning Scholarship to Harrow changed my life'

  A lucky recipient of The Peter Beckwith Scholarship at Harrow School describes his upbringing, studying at Harrow School and his journey to Harvard. 

• 5 questions to ask your school about smartphones

  With evidence mounting of the harmful effects of smartphone usage in childhood, parents are increasingly looking to schools to support a smartphone-free environment – at school and at home. We asked Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of the Smartphone Free Childhood movement to list her 5 essential questions that parents should be asking schools about their approach to smartphones.  

• 6 essential questions to ask a school in 2023

  Some things never change. Certain topics are always at the forefront of a parent’s thoughts when researching a new school. How good is the academic performance? What extra-curricular options are available? Do the pupils get much homework? We have plenty more general questions to ask a prospective school. These are perennial issues for schools and families but there’s nothing like a new year to remind us of time’s constant onwards thrust and the change it generates. It’s inevitable that the ever-shifting landscape of your children’s education throws up new quandaries and questions for both you and them.  

• 6 insider tips for choosing a boarding school

  Despite a drop in international pupils due to the pandemic and world events, UK boarding is as strong as ever. Growth has been recorded across all age groups and while the number of younger boarders remains modest, senior schools have seen a surge in interest and a third of private school 6th formers now board. So, for those families feeling drawn to the dorm, here are six insider tips from our boarding school experts to help find the right school for your child. 

• 6 top schools for swimming

  Want to know which schools boast the best swimming training programmes, pathways, coaches and facilities? In no particular order, here’s our pick of those that stand out from the crowd

• 9 top schools for dance

  A growing number of schools are offering high quality dance provision, both in recognition of its physical benefits and the way it can improve confidence and encourage creativity. Dance tuition can also open up new career opportunities. Here are some of the best schools for fostering both academic and dancing excellence.

• 9 top schools for drama

  Budding young thespians can either go down the route of a specialist drama school or a mainstream school where drama shines. Either way, academics don’t have to suffer as a result, as these schools prove. What’s more, they’re not all private schools. So, in no particular order...

• 9 top schools for rowing

  The UK has an abundance of schools famous for rowing, with teams competing in everything from inter-school competitions through to national ones including the world-famous Henley Regatta. Some even produce World Champion and Olympic medal-winning rowers. We run through eight of the best rowing schools. 

• A levels 2022 - what next?

  When A level results are opened on Thursday this week, some young people will find that they have not received the grades required to study at their first-choice university. Grade inflation, stretched university resources and a higher number of deferred entries caused by the Covid 19 pandemic have conspired to reduce the options available to school leavers this year.  

• Are private schools pricing you out?

  Another day, another newspaper article predicting extinction of the middle-class parent able to choose a private education for their children.

• Ask our experts - April 2020

  Home schooling? To pay fees or not? How to manage family life with everyone at home? School choices? State or independent? What about life after non-existent exam results? Read on as our education consultants tackle your queries.

• Ask our experts - August 2020

  Q: I am keen to relocate my family back to the UK from Hong Kong due to uncertainty around the current political situation but I have no idea of the educational landscape. I have a table tennis mad 7 year old girl and 14 year old bookworm boy. Where do I start?

• Ask our experts - December 2020

• Ask our experts - January 2021

  This month our expert consultants give answers to a range of questions from parents on the subject of paying school fees while schools are shut during the coronavirus lockdown

• Ask our experts - July 2020

  My daughter read avidly from the age of 4 and had finished all the Harry Potter books by the time she was 9. My son is now 9 and I can't get him to read anything other than football magazines. He resists all my attempts to start him on proper books. What can I do?

• Ask our experts - May 2020

  My friends say I'm mad - but I want to keep home educating after lockdown. What do I need to know? Our consultants help with your education concerns, questions and quandaries.

• Ask our experts - Mock exams help

  This month we hear from a family where a child has not got the GCSE mock exam results they had hoped for.

• Ask our experts - Targeting a top academic school

  This month we help a family keen to set their son on the path to academic success from a very young age. There’s no magic formula; all children are different and a common sense approach is best. Read on for our thoughts and advice. 

• Back to school in the 'new normal'

  With just a few short days or weeks until our children return to school, parents, carers and schools are busy preparing for what is arguably the biggest step back towards normality since schools closed their doors on the 20th of March 2020. Schools have issued their Covid-19 pandemic protocols; new shoes, blazers and pencil cases have been purchased and our children and young people can’t wait to get back to school again. Or can they? 

• Bursary applications - how your family finances are assessed

  In 2023, UK private schools spent half a billion pounds on bursaries. These sought-after awards are means-tested, ensuring that only the most deserving applicants benefit. But how does means-testing actually work? In our new GUEST BLOG, Jo Beer, Managing Director at Bursary Assessment Associates, explains.

• Children's books for Christmas

  “One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”  

  Socks or books, socks or books? Our apologies to the world’s most famous wizard but however great socks may be, it is a fairly obvious decision for most when you consider the hours of enjoyment derived from settling down with a good read. And when buying a book for a child – particularly a reluctant reader – you want to make sure that the gift interests and excites from the moment the wrapping paper is first ripped and doesn’t leave the recipient wishing for socks instead. 

• Children's books for Christmas 2023

  From the youngest possible age, an enjoyment of books and reading is essential for the development of knowledge, language and cultural awareness. Quite apart from the thought-provoking and mind-expanding benefits of reading, it’s one of those things that all private schools are keen to see from their applicants. With that in mind, we asked our team of writers and education consultants to name some of their current favourite books for children. 

• Children's books this Christmas: our consultants' top picks

  Landfill-bound plastic toys have never been less fashionable. To keep not only the recipient but also their parents happy, we say a book is the way to go for gifting this year. No nasty packaging, no batteries required, and they can open it time and time again.

• Combining state and private education in London

  London is an expensive place to live and frequently families find themselves choosing to educate their children in both the state and private sectors in order to stretch funds. If you're a Londoner who would like to educate your children privately but baulk at the costs, read on. 

• Coronavirus and school fees: your legal questions answered

  What should parents and schools do about the payment of fees? In our view the only sensible approach is collaboration between schools and parents: there is no precedent for the current circumstances and all parties are learning as they go. The legal relationship between the parties is set out in the contracts that parents sign, however we anticipate these may need to be varied by mutual agreement where possible to avoid parties challenging or enforcing their terms.

• Coronavirus: A level & GCSE results

  As the current situation with Covid-19 rumbles on, this week’s spotlight falls on students who should have taken either GCSEs or A levels earlier in the summer. The class of 2020 will go down in history as the cohort either (depending on how you look at it ) from whom the opportunity to prove themselves on exam day was snatched – or alternatively who side stepped onerous exams and got the chance to learn to cook, perfect their golf swing / gaming technique and spend the post lockdown part of summer care-free, hanging out with their friends.

• Covid-19 lockdown: is this what your school is missing?

  To say that schools are so much more than buildings with classrooms, staff and pupils is an obvious understatement. They are so much more than a sum of their parts; above all, they are communities, each with their own unique DNA and characteristics.

• Don’t blame teachers for grade inflation

  Controversy over decisions made by the Department for Education should not be allowed to undermine pupils’ GCSE and A level achievements. 

  Last year saw a huge grade inflation of around 10-12 per cent in the wake of the pandemic and it is likely – in fact, inevitable - that this year many pupils will once again attain better grades than they would have received had they sat the traditional round of exams.

  This isn’t because anyone is trying to game the system, it’s the system itself. Schools and teachers should not be criticised for wanting the best for, and seeing the best in, their pupils. Criticism should instead be directed towards those at the DfE who came up with the rules. 

• GCSE results day 2022

  As with A levels last week, 2022 is the year that the grade inflation from the two covid-impacted years starts to be brought under control. The Department for Education has decided that grade boundaries must return to those seen in pre-pandemic years by next year and so 2022 is a midway point between the generous 2021 grades and next years' grades which will be more like those

• How to pay for a private school education in an era of VAT

  Private school fees are always on the rise but with the introduction of VAT, costs to families will jump considerably. We asked Joe Askew of Selina Finance to detail the range of options available to parents who have to reassess how they pay for their children's private school education. 

• Is private school still worth the money?

  Small classes, long school days, space for extra-curricular options and time to take part in them. Spending money on private education has long been seen as the best way to set a child up for success. Finding equivalent provision in the state sector is hard, if not impossible, and if something comparable exists, the chances are it comes with huge demand, tricky admissions criteria and a pricey catchment area. Opting for the fee-paying school which specialises in sport, arts, academics, or all three is attractive for those who can afford it. But in recent years, families are starting to question whether shelling out for private school, instead of furthering their child’s chances, might actually count against them in the future.

• Is your family eligible for a private school bursary?

  More children than ever are receiving financial help to enable them to pay private school fees. This is according to the latest data from the Independent Schools Council, the body that represents most UK fee-paying schools.

• Londoners on the move

  As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many organisations have adapted to make working from home more manageable for staff. This has led to people asking whether leaving London might represent a better deal for their family. 

• Mastering private school interviews

  The summer holidays are little more than half a term away and many parents already have one eye on the private school assessments taking place over the proceeding autumn. For this GUEST BLOG, we asked the experts in interview preparation and mentoring at Oppidan Education to divulge some of their valuable knowledge on the subject. 

• Moving from HK to UK and need help finding a school?

  If you are one of the estimated 200,000 people the Foreign Office has estimated will move from Hong Kong to the UK with a BNO visa following recent political changes, making the decision to repatriate may seem to be the hardest one of many. However, if you have school-aged children, the most challenging decisions are likely to centre around education and schools.

• Ofsted gradings: misleading and unhelpful

  Single word judgements used by Ofsted to grade schools are misleading and should be abolished in favour of more holistic information.

• Preparing for A levels: 9 essential tips for parents

  Exam time can be as nerve-wracking for parents as it is for students not least because the teenage angst can ramp up several notches. If you’re racking your brains for ways to support your child through their A level examinations, here are our top tips for parents ahead of exam season. 

• Private schools and VAT - your questions answered

  Despite opposition from families, schools and teachers, the Labour Government intends to introduce VAT on fees charged by private schools and make them eligible to pay full business rates. The legislation is currently in the consultation phase, but details of the new government’s plans and their implementation have been published and are unlikely to change. We answer your questions and attempt to understand what the future of school fees may look like.

• Royals pick Lambrook School

  It’s official! After months of speculation, The Cambridges are off to Lambrook. William and Kate have done their due diligence, visiting a handful of prep schools (each time sparking a fresh wave of gossip through the home counties) close to their new base in Windsor. What is it about Lambrook that’s won the family over? And how will the school prepare these junior royals for a lifetime of leadership and duty? 

• School fees in the latest lockdown: what now?

  Payment of school fees continues to be a huge concern for many parents. Schools are also now under intense financial pressure so striking a fair balance to address the needs of both parties is essential.

• School uniform – does it really matter?

  From the famous tailcoats of Eton College and straw hats of Harrow School to ubiquitous state primary sweatshirts and Sainsbury’s polo three-packs, school uniform is as much a part of the fabric of British life as a cup of tea or fish and chips. But in these times of hybrid working - where suits and ties are practically extinct in the workplace, and the footwear of choice leans more towards New Balance or Nike than Church’s or Loake - what’s the point of it?

   

• Schools offer fees help during pandemic

• Should sustainability matter when choosing a school?

  ‘Being green’ is the number one issue of the day. So how are schools accommodating and encouraging such an outlook and is it something parents should pay close attention to when choosing a school? 

• Special times for special needs

  With hordes of children with EHC plans now learning at home, parents are faced with a raft of new challenges. The Good Schools Guide SEN editor looks at ways to ease the strain and where to go for help if you need further support

• T levels: what do I need to know?

  What are T Levels? T Levels are new qualifications that follow GCSEs, which are equivalent to 3 A levels. Around 80% of a T Level student’s time will be spent in the classroom, with the other 20% spent with an employer on a comprehensive industry placement of at least 9 weeks. 

• The future of private school fees

  What will independent fees look like in a few years’ time or longer? If you’re hoping to educate your child privately for some or all their school years, you’ll want to know what lies in store.htening and penny counting. 

• The Good Schools Guide blog

  Read the latest news, views and reviews of schools and all matters educational. For all blog enquiries please contact: [email protected] or 0203 286 6824

• The London school that gives teens a lie-in

  North Bridge House Senior Canonbury has a novel approach for getting the best out of its pupils. In our final guest article of the year, executive headteacher, Brendan Pavey, explains why scientific research led to the start of the school day being pushed back and how it resulted in happier, fresher and more engaged pupils.

• UCAS to blame for A Level unfairness

  UCAS is unsung villain of A levels fiasco, says Ralph Lucas, editor-in-chief of The Good Schools Guide.

  UCAS has known for years and years that something like 75% of pupils are over-predicted1, but have done nothing to improve things.

  They know that disadvantaged children are particularly over-predicted – but have not, as far as I know, mounted a large-scale investigation into the reasons for this underperformance – which might have led to ways of reducing it.

• What does good pastoral care look like in 2024?

  Wellington College in Berkshire has long been considered a leading practitioner of pastoral care. So much so, the most recent Good Schools Guide review suggested it be renamed 'Wellbeington College'. Tom Wayman, Deputy Head Pastoral explains in this GUEST BLOG his school's culture and its approach to pastoral care.

• What price an education?

  A private school education is expensive. Of the few who can afford it, only a small minority do so without cutting costs elsewhere. But these sacrifices can provide children with enviable opportunities and experiences. David Quintrell of financial experts Brewin Dolphin, guest blogs for us and explores some of the financial options for parents.

• What the SEND Green Paper means to you

  We now have the government’s Green Paper consultation on Special Educational Needs and Disability provision, which has reviewed the burning questions and concerns of parents and practitioners about SEND provision, and yet again it boils down to the three Rs, delivering The Right Support, the Right Place, at the Right Time.

• What to ask at a school open day in 2021

  In-person open days are back up and running (for now, at least) and head teachers are poised to take your questions, hoping that their school fits the bill for young Charlie or Charlotte. But will the usual ‘what are the lunches like?’ or ‘how much homework will they get?’ tick the right boxes in pandemic times? 

   

• What’s the scoop on the covid summer holidays?

  We’re all grappling with the prospect of six or more weeks of school holiday. Most of us can forget about sandy beaches and reclining by the pool. Instead, as we approach the indistinct point when term ends and holiday begins, the forecast is for more of the same. Given that most of us have been stuck at home juggling jobs, work supervision and never-ending meal preparation since mid-March, labelling the summer holidays ‘keep calm and carry on (and on)’, probably feels about right. Right?