EDUCATION
You can visit most schools from your armchair through 360° tours
“You can now visit most schools from your armchair through 360° tours, film tours, online Q&As and virtual visits,” adds Jeanette. “I recommend having a look at what can be viewed online, as well as visiting in person. It is very hard to squeeze everything about St Mary’s into a two-hour visit. However, online we have talks from every department, with the opportunity to look inside our facilities and be in control of your own tour at the click of a mouse!” A HEAD START Before you put on your coat and scarf and head out, there is some important information to get to grips with first. “I recommend all families spend time looking at the website for each school they plan to visit and get a feel for all of its strengths, subjects and the community in advance,” says Jeanette. “If you are short on time, make a list of the departments that are a ‘must see’ for you, so you can let a tour guide know your priorities, make a list of questions in advance and spend some time reassuring your child that open events are usually a lot of fun! It can feel a bit overwhelming visiting new schools and getting prepared for change, but open events involve lots of interesting things to see and do, and often nice refreshments and friendly people to meet, so they shouldn’t feel worried about coming along.” Having your priorities, queries and questions pinned down before you arrive is always handy. “Most open events include
opportunities to interact with current pupils, either in the form of a guided tour or a chance to speak to them about a particular subject, so come prepared with questions on any topic,” urges Fane Henderson, head of marketing at The Leys School in Cambridge. “Pupils currently at the school will be best placed to provide you the best insight into what life there is really like.” SET ON ARRIVAL After you’ve marshalled the family out the door and hopefully arrived in the nick of time, you will likely be greeted with a presentation on the school’s values and academic feats. While this is important – and will likely contain key information – don’t be dazzled. “Be careful not to be impressed by a big show,” warns Tom Caston, principal at MPW.
74 OCTOBER 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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