If your child is in Year 5, it’s time to think about their next steps and where they may want to go for Secondary school. Here are our Top Tips for attending Open Days this September.  Most schools will be preparing an Open Evening for prospective parents, most of which will be online this year. This is an opportunity for parents to see the school in action, hear from the students and ask specific questions. The wealth of information available may often be overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Holland Park’s bespoke service can be tailored to your family’s individual needs.  Our consultants can take care of everything from assessing your child, to shortlisting schools. Former Second Master of Sherborne School, Bill Burns, shares the top tips he gives to clients.

RIGHT SCHOOL, WRONG FIT?

London is home to some of the world’s best schools, but choosing the right fit for your child isn’t always easy. According to Bill “Having a good idea of where your child’s interests lie can really help in narrowing down your choice. Do you want a good mix of academic achievement alongside athletic provisions? Would a large music department with extra curricular clubs be more persuasive?” It’s easy to be dazzled by reputation and prestige but ultimately will your child be challenged and engaged during their time there? You may want to consider a school that is more ‘sporty’ and not selective if that’s where your child will thrive.

TAKE YOUR CHILD WITH YOU

Don’t forget your child.”The opportunity to get to know a potential school for your child is invaluable, so make sure you have them with you on the digital tour,” offers Bill. Gauge their reaction to what they see, the teaching staff and the other students who are presenting. Give them a chance to ask questions if they want to. What food do they serve? How do most people get to school? Who is your favourite Teacher? You will most likely be contacted ahead of time to submit questions to the teaching staff, so do be sure to involve your child in the process.

ASK QUESTIONS

Most of these students will have been hand picked but they are still able to offer a wealth of information. Ask them about achievement, if they’ve made progress from year to year. What happens when things go wrong? Is there a peer buddy they can turn to? Don’t interrogate a child on pass percentages or leavers destinations as they may not know the answers, but in submitting questions online, bear in mind that you can direct queries to students as well as the staff.

STAY FOR THE HEAD’S SPEECH

Don’t skip out on the Head’s speech! The info you can gleam from the Head’s vision is priceless. Bill insists “Good leadership flows down into the teaching staff and those with responsibility for the day to day relationships with your child. Does the head have a ‘whole child’ approach or are they mainly focused on academics?” Does that fit in with what you’re looking for? It is also your chance to ask some tough questions. How does the Head plan on adapting the school for the future?

FORWARNED IS FOREARMED

Many selective schools will offer to send out past papers or ‘familiarisation’ papers at their open days. Here’s your chance to stock up and ensure that your child is best prepared for entrance exams later in the year. Don’t go overboard. A sample of each subject paper should be enough for your child to feel in control. Bill also advises it’s never too early to make a good impression. “Be sure to introduce yourself to the teaching staff and heads of department, it’s never too early to connect. Many schools will be willing to offer 1:1 Zoom conversations in addition to their official open days, so do not hesitate to contact the office directly to set up a discussion with the appropriate staff member.”

Want to know more about our bespoke consultancy packages or for more Top Tips for School Open Days , then click here.