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Choosing which school your child should go to is a daunting task, but this autumn you have a chance to narrow down the list of potential places as schools fling open their doors for their annual beauty parade.
“We believe visits are the best opportunity to get a ‘feel’ for our school, to speak to staff and students and ask what they love about it,” sums up Rhion Leadbitter, Admissions Manager at Trinity School.
But before you sign up for multiple open days, narrow down your list by checking out each school’s website, their publications, sign up to online open events and talks, ask neighbours and friends for recommendations and follow the numerous school posts on NappyValleyNet.
Sarah Gillam, Head at Eveline Day School, says: “Virtual open mornings are frequently available on a school’s website. You can gain an overview of the layout of the school, the grounds and usually a glimpse of some of the activities taking place. The very nature of the virtual open morning means that you see the school at its best; everything has been choreographed, with the grounds, children and staff groomed to perfection.”
Virtual open mornings can only take you so far. Ditto whittling down schools from league tables advises Laura Hooper, Director of Marketing and Admissions at Sydenham High School GDST. She says: “League tables do not tell the whole story so try and look beyond the statistics.”
Ultimately there really is no substitute for attending an open day, when you can get a real feel for what the school has to offer. Make sure it aligns with your values, educational goals and the overall suitability for your child. “There is often a ‘make or break factor’ garnered through a school visit which will swing your decision one way or another,” notes Vania Georgeson of Exceptional Academics.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
What goes on outside the classroom is just as important as what happens inside.
So, it is vital that when considering a potential school for their child, parents remember to look at the entire breadth of holistic learning on offer. We know that a full, rich and balanced education is crucial in developing well-rounded, high-spirited, enthusiastic individuals.
Extra-curricular clubs present an excellent opportunity for students to embrace their passions, build new friendships and develop skills for the future. Parents should be confident that the school they ultimately choose will be able to support and encourage their child’s varied interests.
It is usually simple to ascertain what extra-curricular options a school offers; they will often be highlighted on a school’s website, social media and during open days.
Source: James Allen’s Girls’ School
Advises Dr Nick Black, Director of Admissions, Libraries and Archives at Dulwich College: “Do your research first; then make a list of the questions you want to ask. Visit on a school day and see the school in action. Can you see your child comfortably there?”
The quality of the teaching and the feel and heart of the school is ultimately most important
Trinity’s Leadbitter believes a weekday visit “on a smaller tour can give a more rounded view. It’s a great way of seeing the school in action on a working day and gives families the opportunity to tour our facilities and departments while also asking questions about admissions more broadly.”
However, not all schools can run an open day during school time, often for logistical and health and safety reasons, so be prepared for evenings and Saturday morning visits. It may not be possible to access all areas on a weekday visit as the school has to balance showing off the school and respecting the impact on pupils and lessons. Be advised that there is usually more of an opportunity to wander around the school during a Saturday open morning.
“We can’t do school-time open days logistically and disrupt the school day so we set up classrooms so they can see teaching in action on an evening and Saturday morning open day,” explains Claire Edis, Principal of Bolingbroke Academy. Bolingbroke’s Year 7s and 8s show off their school, Year 9s share the talk with the Principal and sixth formers are on hand to show the results of the whole school journey.
It’s important to walk around and ask questions, listen to the headteacher’s talk and discover all about school life, its academic prowess, sporting choices, facilities, logistics, pastoral care, the diversity of the school’s staff and pupils, and extra-curricular options. Moreover, discover what the entry requirements are and what chances your child has of getting in, what percentage of pupils are offered a place, what you’ll have to pay if it’s an independent school and if there are payment plans or bursaries. It’s a long list!
“Go with an open mind and don’t be afraid to ask key questions if you think something hasn’t been covered in the talk,” says Jonny Gilbert, Head at The Roche School. “Parents can be wowed by new facilities but try to get the opportunity to see what is happening in the classroom. The quality of the teaching and the feel and heart of the school is ultimately the most important thing.”
Most schools agree that parents turn up at open days having done their homework and are ready with searching questions, but fundamentally they must narrow down the type of school – single sex or co-ed, boarding or day, private or state.
The key is to visit only those schools that meet your criteria. If a school doesn’t cater for your child’s passion for a particular subject or sport, or the logistics of travelling there make it untenable, there is no reason to waste your time on a visit.
Demand is always high for open days so book early to ensure a place. Some schools will limit visits only to those children joining the following year, so don’t be over-zealous if your child is a few years off applying. The better open days reflect a normal school day, but some will be highly orchestrated with strict and tight timetables, while others are run on a more relaxed schedule where you are free to wander around unfettered and soak up the atmosphere. The style of open day will tell you a lot about how the school is run.
A strict and tightly run open day may suggest a more structured and disciplined environment, while a more relaxed and free-flowing event could indicate a more flexible and student-centred approach.
Where and who you can access during your time there will also speak volumes about the school. Red flags are no-go areas around the school, not being able to talk directly to pupils, and the headteacher scurrying off after a presentation and not sticking around to answer one-to-one questions.
The head, senior staff, subject-specific teachers, key form tutors and pupil ambassadors should all be available.
“To truly understand a school, we recommend speaking directly to the students and asking them challenging questions to gain genuine insights into the school’s environment,” advises Stephen Holsgrove, Head at Thames Christian School.
“I will always stay and answer questions after the talk,” says Bolingbroke’s Edis. “The head has to invest the time and respect the fact that parents are spending their
time to come to the school for what is a very important decision on their child’s education.”
Students should also be on show and available to talk. Many schools will use students to take parents around the school which is a good way to decide if this is how you would like your child to turn out. These first-hand impressions will bring to life the ethos of a school that often a brochure or website cannot.
Another key person to chat to is a member of the admissions team as they are best placed to give you the key information on entry requirements and your chances of being offered a place.
If the open day hasn’t made your mind up, request an individual visit or a smaller group session as the school is then more able to tailor tours to visitors’ particular areas of interest, be that boarding, drama, sport or specific academic subjects.
Ultimately, the best school is the one that is right for your child so it will be different for every parent. “You know your child best – trust your instinct about whether he or she will be happy there,” says Sydenham’s Hooper. “Ask yourself, will she thrive, grow and leave feeling happy and confident about her future?”
Eveline’s Head Sarah Gillam adds, “Remember, what fits one child or family might not be suitable for another – each parent’s expectations are unique.”
Read on for our list of open day dates for your diary.
Questions to ask pupils:
Questions to ask teachers:
WANDSWORTH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS (2-11)
2 Alderbrook Primary & Nursery School
26th September, 4th October, 1st & 12th November, 6th December, 10th January & 6th February, 9:30am; 17th October, 11th December, 6pm.
7 Beatrix Potter Primary School
Every Thursday, 9.30am.
8 Belleville Primary School
28th September, 13th October, 9th & 24th November, 7th & 14th December, 11th & 12th January, 8th February, 7th March, 9.30am at Webb’s Road and 11.15am at Meteor Street.
9 Belleville Wix Academy
Email admin@bellevillewix.q1e.org.uk for autumn term school tour dates.
26/27 Honeywell Infant & Junior School
Email Admissions Officer: laura.glover@honeywell.wandsworth.sch.uk
54 Smallwood Primary School
Email admin@smallwood.wandsworth.sch.uk
WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS (UP TO 11/13)
62/63 Broomwood Pre-Prep, Prep – Boys & Prep – Girls
9th October – Pre-Prep, 11th October – Prep – Boys and Prep – Girls. Or by appointment for a personal tour.
65 Dolphin School
Complete the form online: dolphinschool.org.uk/joining-us/arrange-a-visit/
66 Eaton House The Manor
Email Head of Admissions, Miss Sam Feilding to attend Open Mornings on a number of Wednesdays during term time: sfeilding@eatonhouseschools.com
68 Finton House
Book a place at fintonhouse.openapply.com
70 Hornsby House
10th October, 9am. Group tours on Thursday mornings.
78 Putney High Junior School GDST
12th, 14th & 15th October.
79 The Eveline Day School
School tours throughout the year. Call 020 8673 3188.
80 The Roche School
21st September, 18th October, 20th November, 17th January, 26th February, 9.15am.
81 & 82 Thomas’s Battersea & Thom-as’s Clapham
Contact the admissions departments: battersea@thomas-s.co.uk and clapham@thomas-s.co.uk
84 Wandsworth Prep
13th September, 9am.
85 Wimbledon High School Juniors
14th September.
THINKING BEYOND ACADEMICS
With the increased competition for schools at 11, both independent and maintained, it is easy to forget that children won’t necessarily peak at the end of primary school. Boys and girls are specialising at younger and younger ages in music and sport, when evidence suggests that trying their hand at a variety of activities develops a greater number of transferrable skills that serve them better as they enter their teens.
Encourage your children to give all the co-curricular areas of school a try, keeping the door open across sport, music, art and drama, and even if they’re not top team material or don’t make the selective choir by Year 6, they will have the confidence to give it a go at secondary school. It’s not just about achievement in these areas but creating shared memories and experiences as well as providing a fantastic way to make friends quickly, so important as they navigate the challenging teenage years.
Source: Hornsby House School
OTHER PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN NAPPY VALLEY
Ardingly College
Prep School – 27th September.
James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS)
Pre-Prep 4+ & Prep 7+; 5th October, 9am.
Sydenham High Prep School GDST
21st September, 6th November, 12th March, 9am.
Walhampton School
Contact Registrar, Vicky Candy to book onto a Friday tour: 01590 613300, registrar@walhampton.com
WANDSWORTH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS
88 Bolingbroke Academy
12th October, 9.30am-12pm (for Year 7 and Year 12 entry); 17th October, 5.15pm (for Year 7 entry with Principal’s talks 5.15pm, 5.45pm and 6.30pm)
90 Chestnut Grove Academy
19th September & 10th October, 9am.
91 Ernest Bevin Academy
25th September, 5.30pm, 27th September & 4th October, 9am.
92 Graveney School
Email: info@graveney.wandsworth.sch.uk
WANDSWORTH & MERTON PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS
100 Emanuel School
14th September & 3rd October (Year 6 & 7 open events are sold out; join the waitlist). Sixth Form – 24th September, 5pm.
101 Hall School Wimbledon
Individual tours with the headmaster. Contact admissions@hsw.co.uk
103 King’s College School (KCS)
Junior School – call 020 8255 5335; 11+ open evening – 25th September, Sixth Form – 19th September & 3rd October.
104 London Park School Clapham
15th & 16th October, 9.15am. Head’s coffee, talk and tours most Fridays for all years of entry, 9.15am. Book on website.
105 Putney High School GDST
11+ Open Morning – 10th & 11th October; 11+ Open Day – 12th October (talks at 9am, 10.15am and 11.15am, plus Q&A session at 1pm).
106 Thames Christian School
17th & 24th September, 2nd October, 10.30am; 21st September – 10am & 11.30am; Sixth Form – 17th September, 7pm.
107 Thomas’s – Putney Vale
Contact the admissions department to book: putneyvale@thomas-s.co.uk
108 Wimbledon High School GDST
28th September, 9am to 12pm; Sixth Form – 19th September, 5.30pm.
LAMBETH STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS
115a & 115b Henry Cavendish Primary School
Call 020 8673 3376 to book a tour.
126 Telferscot Primary School
Contact the school office to arrange a tour: office@telferscot.co.uk
LAMBETH PRIVATE SCHOOLS (UP TO 11/13)
127 Streatham & Clapham Prep School GDST
21st September.
128 The White House Prep School
Email: admissions@whitehouseschool.com
LAMBETH PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS
135 DLD College London
Book a tour: www.dldcollege.co.uk/admissions/uk-admissions/arrange-a-visit/
136 Streatham & Clapham High School GDST
Email: senior@schs.gdst.net
MAKING THE MOST OF AN OPEN EVENT
The best way to gain real insight into a school is to visit in person. Usually, you will hear from the headteacher about the vision and values of the school, and you can ask questions about areas of focus for the short and long term.
You can interact with pupils and staff, observe activities and see the facilities. If creativity is important to your child, then you can see the art studios and talk to the children – similarly with the sporting facilities.
Talking to the pupils about their likes or dislikes will give you a real sense of the ethos of the school. Ask about the staff, relationships within the school, the curriculum, the homework and how they feel they are doing.
Open days are often on a Saturday or after school, and this is a wonderful opportunity for the school to showcase various arranged activities such as sport, dance or art. If it is possible to visit during school hours though, you will see the school in action, gaining a true understanding of the day-to-day dynamics.
Source: Eveline Day School
OTHER PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS & THROUGH-SCHOOLS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN NAPPY VALLEY
Alleyn’s School
11+ Open Afternoon, 18th September; 11+ & 16+ Open Morning, 28th September; Taster Afternoon, 27th September.
Ardingly College
Lower School (Years 7 & 8), 20th September; Senior School (Year 7 to Sixth Form), 5th October; Sixth Form Open Evening, 25th September.
Cranleigh School
12th October & 14th June; Welcome mornings – 7th December, 1st & 8th March; Sixth Form welcome mornings – 21st September & 21st June.
Dulwich College
Year 7 entry (12+), 12th & 20th September and 10th October, 10.30am; Year 9 entry (13+), 11th & 24th September, 2.15pm; Year 12 entry (16+), email upperschooladmissions@dulwich.org.uk
Eaton Square Senior School
Call admissions 020 7491 7393 or email office.senior@eatonsquareschools.com
Hybrid@LPS
Head’s coffee, 2nd October & 20th November, 9.15am.
James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS)
11+ entry only 18th & 26th September, 10th October 10.30am; 11+ and 16+ entry 5th October, 9am-1pm.
LPS Clapham
October 15th & 16th, 9.15 & 11am; Friday coffee mornings at 9.15am at Audley Place on September 13th, 20th & 27th, and November 15th & 29th.
LPS Mayfair
10th October, 9.15am. Bi-weekly Head’s coffee, talk and tour on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.15am. Bookings via website.
LPS Sixth
3rd October, 5.30pm. Bespoke tours on request.
Sydenham High School GDST
Whole school – 21st September, 9am-1pm; Senior school – 26th September, 7th November, 20th March, 24th April, 9.30-11am.
Trinity School
5th October.
Whitgift School
28th September.
Woldingham School
21st September, 10th May, 29th January & 11th March.
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