Independent School Open Day - Checklist
Find the perfect fit for your child
This checklist is designed to guide 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 also serve as a starting point for questions to ask yourself, then pick those to ask during an open day, a private tour with a pupil, or when meeting the head.
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 with department heads helps you gauge their passion and vision for their subject. Notice whether the pupils are leading activities themselves, or whether the teachers are 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, applications 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.
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