EDUCAT ION
“Some schools like to focus efforts into open days on set dates”
parents whose in-depth knowledge really shines through. “An increasing number of our parents are new to independent education,” she says. “They are professionals who often have very demanding jobs – they really know what they want and are very knowledgeable.” They’re looking for schools, she says, that “go above and beyond for their daughters”. That means not just strong academic provision, but excellent musical, creative and sporting opportunities, first- class pastoral care and, most importantly, an underlying focus on happiness. Another major change is that it’s no longer just the parents who are involved in the decision-making process. Increasingly, it’s a matter for the whole family. “The biggest difference in the past generation has been the extent to which parents say that their children will have the final say in their school choice,” says John Attwater. Some schools like to focus their efforts into open days held on set dates during the year, packing in the crowds so they can showcase the whole school’s multi-disciplinary talents in one go. Other establishments prefer a smaller-scale approach. St Faith’s, for example, has dispensed entirely with mass
One change is that they will often start to visit schools far earlier than they used to. They’ll investigate prospective senior schools when their child is, say, in year 5. If they’re considering nurseries, they may start the process before their baby is born. “They are often looking at more schools and then looking to shortlist two or three to bring their children to,” he says. They’ll want clarity about how the education on offer will dovetail into their busy lives. While the facilities can be out of this world, says Richard Settle, principal of Sancton Wood School, for working families it won’t just be about how amazing they look and how they’re used but the commitment required – and the complexities that can arise as a result. “If your child is signed up for a play, this will link to who’s going to do the commute, pick them up, drop them off and take them back for evening rehearsals or on a Sunday morning,” he says. “You do need to look at the whole picture and ask yourself if it is going to be a good fit in all these areas.” Tracey Headland, admissions officer at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, is also seeing a rise in informed, well-prepared
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