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OPEN DAYS
their pupils in lesson times to the quality of school meals. And they should also spare a thought for the schools themselves. Staff feel huge pride in their school’s achievements, from exam success to sports triumphs – and their biggest advertisements are their pupils, whose first-hand testimonials can do more to sell a school or college than any league- topping results. So while open days are there to help families make the right educational choice for their children, they are also an opportunity for schools to celebrate their strengths. Perhaps it’s not surprising that teachers often describe the open-event season as one of their favourite times of year, waxing lyrical over the electric atmosphere that pervades the campus. That vibe may be harder to recreate when visiting families are clustered around a laptop at home rather than being face to face with, say, a science demonstration – but schools are giving it everything they’ve got. It’s all about seeing schools and colleges operating and teaching successfully in the current climate. To give the open events a real buzz, many schools are interweaving pre-recorded and live content to replicate the experience families would have had on campus as closely as possible. Filmed content may include a virtual tour of the campus, views from current students and parents or ‘fly in the doorway’ views of classrooms to get a flavour of the way lessons are structured. Live sessions, including presentations from head teachers and question- and-answer sessions for students and parents, make the experience more interactive. Visitors may even be allocated small groups to create a more personal feel. For anyone needing additional information or the chance to discuss individual issues related to, say, pastoral care or learning support, schools may be
AUTUMN/WINTER 2020
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