Here are a few tips to help you get the most from Independent School Open Days.
Try to visit as many open days as possible this will then allow you to narrow down your choice to a more manageable selection from just one or two schools that may require a further visit ,during a normal school day, to help make up your mind.
1. The open days are very much like a school prospectus or websites – you should view these as a tool to narrow down your options. The open days will hopefully produce at least two schools you can then arrange personally visiting during term time, preferably to include a talk with the Head.
2. Take a note pad and pen to the open days, as one school will merge into another. Define heading’s to allow you to make comparisons.
3. Whilst the sceptics would say wall displays are strategically planned, open days often fall in the Sept or Oct – so teachers have not had much time to be selective. The first year’s (P1’s) work will be fresh and possibly not a true display of a year’s progress.
4. Often you will be shown around by a pupil – congratulate them in the presentation of the school and ask them how long they have taken to ‘prepare’ for today.
5. A good question to a pupil is ‘what are their own likes and dislikes about their school?’ If you have any particular concerns for example – How often do you get chips for lunch? The pupils are likely to let the cat out of the bag.
6. If it is not on display, ask to see the schools long-term development plan.
If you miss a schools open day don’t panic, most school’s are happy to arrange personal visits – remember assessments for that Aug /Septembers in-take often occur in the January or February, so get your visit in before then. Good Luck.
Click here for the - 101 Questions for Open Days or School Visits . Pick just a few question that will help you establish what is important for you to aks the school during your visit.
