By James Miller, Head of RGS Junior School
How to find the right school for your child.
If I wasn’t working in education, I sometimes think I could have made a decent Phil Spencer.
I’m talking, of course, about the Location, Location, Location Phil Spencer; the man who can walk into a house and within minutes spot the things that really matter, while everyone else is distracted by the kitchen island and whether they like the wallpaper.
Choosing a school is a little like choosing a house. It’s a big decision, it’s hugely personal and, importantly, what one person loves, another may not like at all.
And that is why my first piece of advice to any parent visiting schools is simple: go and see them.
A website can tell you about results, facilities, fees and the curriculum. A prospectus can show you beautiful photographs. But neither can tell you how a school feels. You need to walk through the doors, listen to the conversations, meet the people and, most importantly, watch how your child responds to the vibe.
Because choosing a school shouldn’t be about whether your child is right for the school. It should be about whether the school is right for your child.
Every child is different. Some thrive in a busy, bustling environment; others need somewhere smaller and more intimate. Some know exactly what they want to do; others need a school that will expose them to possibilities they haven’t even considered yet. Some are academic, some sporty, some creative, some quietly curious – and most are a wonderful combination of all of these things.
So ask yourself: Can I see my child being happy here? Can I see them making friends? Will they be encouraged to try things they’ve never tried before? Will they be challenged? Will someone notice when they are struggling – and celebrate when they succeed?
That is where Open Mornings can be invaluable. At RGS Newcastle, our forthcoming Open Morning is a chance to look beyond the prospectus: to meet our pupils and teachers, explore our facilities and get a genuine sense of what makes the school tick.
But sometimes, an hour or two isn’t quite enough.
At Westfield School – now part of the RGS Newcastle Group of Schools – we offer prospective pupils the opportunity to spend much longer in school, from extended taster days to, in some cases, a whole taster week. It means children can get properly involved in school life, meet other pupils, try lessons, join activities and experience the school as a member of the community rather than simply a visitor.
I think that is incredibly powerful.
The school where a child feels they belong is the school where they are most likely to thrive.
Of course, there are some practical things I would encourage parents to look at too. A school should have a strong track record and be well established, with sound financial foundations that give it the confidence to invest for the long term. Look carefully at the breadth of subjects and opportunities available – both inside and outside the classroom – and consider whether that breadth will continue to serve your child as they grow and their interests develop.
Look at academic outcomes, but don’t look at results in isolation. Ask about pastoral care, SEND provision, co-curricular opportunities, destinations and how the school supports children as individuals. Look at the quality and stability of its staff. And ask whether the school has a clear sense of where it is going.
But above all, trust your instincts – and your child’s.
You can spend hours comparing league tables, facilities and statistics. They all have their place. But sometimes the most important information comes when your child walks through the gates and simply says, “I like it here.”
That’s the school-hunting equivalent of Phil Spencer finding the house with the perfect location. And, in my experience, it’s usually worth listening to.
www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk
www.westfield.newcastle.sch.uk