17/06/2024
âTop tips for getting the most out of secondary school open daysâ
âď¸Try and visit during the day, rather than in the evening, if at all possible. You will gain a much more realistic feel for the school when all the students are in on site and lessons are in full swing. If you are lucky enough to be able to pop into lessons, the way in which students speak to their teachers and vice versa can reveal much about the schoolâs ethos.
âď¸Take your own child with you to the event and encourage them to ask questions about things that are important to them. If they have a particular interest, ask to see that department to get a sense of the facilities and help them to envisage themselves at secondary school.
âď¸If your child has special educational or medical needs, ask the SENDCO how the school supports students with additional needs and how they ensure that all students are making progress.
âď¸On the tour of the school, take the opportunity to ask your student guides for their opinions, such as: What do they like about their school? How does the school support their learning and their well-being? Are there any improvements that they would like to see? Their replies can often be more revealing than the headteacherâs speech!
âď¸Finally, remember that you are choosing a school for your child and not for you! It's very easy to be distracted by thinking 'this is just like my school was' and our nostalgia around our own school experience . However, does it feel like a school that will support your child academically and pastorally? Can you imagine them flourishing here?
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