101 Questions When Choosing a School: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Child

We update these questions and add more each year. They are designed to be a guide for helping you with your decision-making process when choosing a school for your child. Not all questions will be relevant, but all are designed to help you identify your priorities for your child and your family. There are no 'correct' answers. They will also serve as a good starting point for questions to ask during a school open day, private tour with a pupil, or when meeting the head.

CO-EDUCATIONAL OR SINGLE-SEX

If co-educational, what is the male:female ratio? Is the school co-educational in all year groups?

If there is a smaller gender group, how is it integrated during school activities?

If it’s a single-sex school, does it have links with other single-sex schools of the opposite gender?

In the school’s view, what are the main advantages of the type of education it provides?

SIZE

What is the overall size of the school?

How many classes are there for each year group and how many pupils per class?

Are all year groups on the same campus?

How integrated are the year groups? eg. during breaks, assembly or activities?

ETHOS & STAFF

What is the school’s anti-bullying policy?

LGBTQ+ issues – are pupils supported? Is inclusivity part of the curriculum and are there societies?

Does the school have a published disciplinary code and will it suit your child’s temperament and your own principles?

Is there a published set of school rules that you can have? What happens to those who steal, use bad language or break the more petty school rules? What about sex, drugs and alcohol? How many have been excluded in the past three years?

What are the qualifications and experience of teachers and what is staff turnover like?

How does the school reward and encourage effort and achievement?

How does the school motivate pupils?

Does the school have prefects and how does the prefect system operate?

Does the school operate a house system and what role does it play in school life?

Is there a mentoring system and how much interaction is here between younger and older pupils?

How involved are parents with school life? Are there regular parental socials? Is there an active PTA? Is there special provision for parents on the school website?

Getting in touch. Can parents talk to (or email) teachers when they want to – and will they get a response?

How does the school report to parents? How often are parents’ evenings? How often are school reports issued?

EDUCATION

Does the school follow the Scottish, English or a wider curriculum and which public examinations are taken for which subjects?

Are there any timetable restraints which restrict certain subjects being taken together?

How integrated is the use of IT/iPads in learning?

If your child has particular interests or you want them to learn a specific subject, is the school strong in this area?

(Ask to meet the head of department as this will give you a good sense of the passion s/he has for the subject.)

For which age groups are languages offered and which languages are available? (Remember to ask about Latin as well as modern languages.)

How much homework is given at each age and stage? Is there a homework club? Is additional help available from tutors or subject teachers via email? How is homework monitored, recorded and reported?

Does the school group pupils in sets, streams or mixed ability groups and for which subjects and year groups?

Which universities and courses have been the most popular for leavers in recent years?

Do class sizes change for particular subjects and/or year groups? How are pupils grouped? Setting? Streaming? Mixed ability?

What are recent exam results like? Are there subjects in which the school excels?

If your child is particularly bright, or has additional learning needs, how many support for learning teachers are there? How many pupils access support for learning?

How does the school support pupils applying to Oxbridge/ Ivy League or international universities?

Do they provide support for entrance exams such as STEP mathematics?

COSTS

Does the school offer bursaries and/or scholarships. Who is eligible and what percentage of assistance is available?

Does the school offer reduced fees for siblings, former pupils or certain occupations?

What additional costs (on top of fees) should I expect?

• Food

• Books/Stationary/iPad/Laptop

• Exams

• School Bus

• After-school Activities

• Compulsory Uniform & Sports Kit

• Music Lessons

FOOD

Is lunch provided for all year groups and is there an additional cost?

What sort of meals are provided and are they hot or cold? Is there a swipe card system? Can parents see what their child has chosen to eat?

Is the food freshly prepared on site and are the menus changed regularly?

Does the school offer a breakfast or evening meal service?

Is there provision for special dietary requirements?

What is the mealtime experience like? Do teachers eat with the children? Do all year groups eat together?

Are children allowed off the campus at lunch time, if so which year groups?

RELIGION

Does the school accept pupils of any faith?

Does the school hold a daily assembly and, if so, is religion brought into the theme?

Do all year groups attend assemblies?

Do the pupils sing hymns on a regular basis?

What role does religion play in the school’s curriculum and how is it taught?

FACILITIES

Which year groups have access to these facilities? How do pupils access off-site facilities?

What has been the largest investment in the school’s facilities recently and does the school plan to invest further?

Which facilities can the children access at playtime?

AFTER SCHOOL & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

What time does the school day start and end? Does the school offer wrap-around care and holidays clubs. If so, how much do they cost? How many places are available?

Are after-school activities included in the fees, are any of them compulsory and are there a variety of activities available for all year groups?

Do any activities have waiting lists and can children of all abilities can join in? Are there plenty of clubs for all interests, from debating to sailing?

Does the school have a CCF unit or participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme?

How many times a term will the average class get a trip? Is the German exchange for example open to everyone, or is it first come, first served?

SPORTS

What sports are timetabled into the school day? How many hours of sport are there on the weekly timetable?

Does the school participate in competitive matches against other schools and in which sports?

How do pupils get selected to be in a team? Who gets to go on sports tours?

What sports facilities does the school have access to? Are they on the same campus as the main school building? If not, how do pupils access these facilities?

What happens to games lessons when the weather is too bad to go outside? Do pupils stay in the classroom with a

video or are there indoor facilities or activities?

MUSIC AND DRAMA

Is drama on the timetable and can you take external drama exams eg. LAMDA?

If private music tuition is offered, for which instruments and which age groups is it available? Does the school offer taster classes and instrument hire?

Are children taken out of lessons to attend private music lessons?

What opportunities do pupils have to perform to an audience, either individually or in groups?

Does the school take part in any external music or drama competitions?

Are shows very competitive or can all children take part regardless of ability?

If your child receives private music lessons outside school, can they still participate in school orchestras, bands and concerts?

BOARDING

Does the school offer full, weekly and/or flexible boarding?

Is it possible for your child to attend taster boarding days?

Do the routines, house system and timetables of day and boarding pupils differ?

What is the boarding:day pupil ratio?

What age does the school take boarders from?

How many other boarders will there be in your child’s year?

Make sure you visit the dormitories and common areas.

Are these facilities modern and comfortable and are children able to personalise their space?

ENTRY PROCEDURES

Is there an entrance exam and what does it involve?

What date is the next assessment day?

Does the school operate a waiting list and is it first come, first served? Or based on academic merit?

How much does it cost to register your child?

Do junior school pupils gain automatic entry into the senior school?

Does the school require reports and sample work from a previous school?

OPEN DAYS

With so much on offer at each independent school, it can be hard to know which school is the best fit for your child.

Most families attend an open day, or book a visit to tour the school and chat with the head before making their final decision.

Read our 7 Secrets to Independent School Open Days

An open day is a school’s way of showcasing what it does best. I would urge you to arrive at the start of an open day and in good time for the head’s address. The head teacher’s message and tone will give you a good sense of the school’s direction and ethos. You’ll meet current pupils and see examples of their academic and extracurricular achievements. Despite the ‘staged’ nature of the event, you’ll still be able to learn a lot.

• Quizzing the pupils who tour you around with key questions can be very revealing.

• Similarly, speaking to heads of departments helps you gauge the passion and vision they have for their subject.

• Are the pupils demonstrating activities themselves or are the teachers taking the limelight?

Even during a staged day, you will get a feel for the school. This should help you narrow down your choices. If necessary, you could then visit again on a normal school day.

Finally, application and waiting lists cost money. However, it does make sense to put your child down on a couple of school waiting lists.

Once you have all the information you need, trust your instincts. If the school ‘feels’ right, it’s very likely to be right for your child.

Best of luck. We hope you enjoy getting to know Edinburgh’s impressive range of independent schools.