EDUCATION
consistently offering small group tours and individual visits. “We quite often get people who might start with an open event or as part of a group and then come back on an individual visit,” continues Gemma Kilby at Felsted. Families may prefer to be part of the crowd and get a taste of the atmosphere and ethos before signing up for something a bit more personal, she feels. Of course, each school is different, so will have their own highlights that make the education offered – and the experience of being at the school – uniquely special. Wellbeing, for example, is assuming greater prominence – particularly since Covid-19 – according to Helen Spurgeon at St Faith’s, where pastoral care has a deservedly strong reputation. “It’s a really important aspect that I would want to ask about as a parent,” she remarks. “We’re definitely getting families asking more questions about pastoral care structures,” confirms Hannah Helliar at St Mary’s, whose well-regarded pastoral care system encompasses the formal (class and form teachers), pupils themselves (peer networks and buddies), as well as the key connections forged through activities like sport and music. For Tom Caston at MPW Cambridge, questions to ask are: “Are there impressive people in key positions who should be driving the school forward academically, from the bottom up? What is the careers programme like? What percentage of students get into their first-choice next step? And not just university – that isn’t always the right option. Schools need to be forward looking and provide other viewpoints. Is there that flexibility?” Once parents have toured our area’s amazing schools (perhaps even several times over!), been wowed by the quality of the teaching, facilities, pastoral care, extracurricular programmes and everything else that’s on offer, how do they come to a decision about what school is going to be right for their child? An initial positive impression of the school is crucial, says Helen Spurgeon at St Faith’s. “It’s really important when parents come and look round a school that they feel welcome as soon as they walk in.” Ask yourself, ‘will my child thrive here?’, says Hannah Helliar at St Mary’s. “Is this the place where an already identified interest, talent or passion will be nurtured , Parents need to think about how happy their child is going to be
AS YOU LIKE IT Both St Mary’s (above) and The Leys (below) are adding flexibility to their events
or somewhere new ones will be unearthed and discovered?” And while parents will have lots of practical questions to ask, checking happiness levels is also of paramount importance. “Your gut feeling shouldn’t be underestimated,” says Gemma Kilby at Felsted School. “Parents need to think about how happy their child is going to be at boarding school. If they are unhappy, they won’t make progress, so the most important thing is how to keep them well and happy.” “The absolute critical decision has to be made the next day, once you and your child have had a chance to reflect,” concludes Tom Caston at MPW Cambridge. “Are they going to be happy there? When they walk through the gates each day, are they going to feel safe, valued and excited at the challenges the day will pose? And will it be fun? Sometimes a school simply clicks and ‘feels right’. That’s the holy grail.”
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2023 63
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