If you want to make sure that your child attends the right school for them, or you are moving to a new area and want to find the best school there for your child, the good news is that there are several tools that you can use to better navigate the UK school system and find out more.
Whether you are simply looking for the best-rated primary or secondary school in the area to send your child to or are hoping that they are able to get into a prestigious grammar school, there’s always a lot to think about when navigating the school system. This includes making applications and making sure that your child meets all the necessary criteria to be taken on as a student.
UK School Blogs
There are several blogs available where you can find school specific information to help you learn more about what will be needed to get your child into the best school in your area. You can find blogs that cover schools from all around the UK or blogs that are more location-specific and only cover the schools in your area. A quick search will help you find out more about entrance exams and tests, student criteria, and much more to help make it easier for you and your child to prepare.
Local Tutors
If you want to make sure that your child gets into the best school in the area, it’s likely that they will be asked to take and pass an entrance exam before they are able to offer a place. Many parents will hire private tutors to help their children prepare for these entrance exams and make the transition into attending a new school easier for them. You might want to speak to local private tutors in your area to find out more about the schools that they usually help kids prepare to get into and if they have any advice on choosing a school and the process for getting in.
Parenting Groups
If there are any available, parenting groups for your local area can be a great way to find out more about the school system in the area and get some ideas and tips for choosing the best school for your child. Local parents who already have kids in the schools that you might be considering for your child can definitely be a great source of advice, since they can provide you with more information on what to expect once your child is a student from a realistic perspective, helping you make a more informed decision for your family.
Exam Prep and Information Sites
UK school test preparation sites can be an ideal tool to use if your child has been asked to sit the 11+ or another type of entrance exam before they will be offered a place at the school. You can use these sites to download mock tests and find out more about the questions that are asked, giving your child the chance to revise and prepare for their upcoming exam and know what to expect from the process.
Schools
Finally, taking the time to visit, look around, and get the know the schools themselves is a big step for both you and your child when it comes to navigating the school system in your local area and choosing where your child will attend. Going to open days or booking a visit to the school can help you make sure that you know as much as possible about what to expect before you decide where you are going to apply for.
With so many schools available, finding the right one for your child in your area and ensuring that they get in can sometimes be tricky.
