Ask the expert: How do I choose a school for my child?
The best advice I can give as a headteacher is to choose a school where you feel confident that your child will be happy. Happiness and wellbeing are the foundations for learning, progress and success. As parents, it is our prime concern for our children and we instinctively seek to ensure that our children are safe and looked after so that they can thrive. Instincts can and should play an important role in the school choice decision. The best thing a parent can do when choosing a school is visit a number of them. Forget about inspection reports, branding, leavers’ destinations or word of mouth when making the final call. Visit schools yourself and remember that you know your child best. Trust your instincts and you will find that the decision on where your child will be happiest comes easily. Whilst it can be scary, remember that you know best. Try to match your school choice with your own personal educational philosophy and belief on what matters in education today. Think about what skills you want your child to develop during their time at school and experiences you want them to gain from education. Where do you want to see your child in the future? Remember education is not a destination; it is a road map to the future.
Melissa McBride is Head of Primary at Hartland International School. Visit www.hartlandinternational.com.