Choosing the right school (From Wiltshire Times)

Choosing the right school

FOCUS ON EDUCATION: Selecting a good school for your child is essential for their development both academically and socially.

Schooldays are meant to be the happiest days of a child's life but if the school is not right for them they may turn out to be the most miserable.

There are many factors involved in choosing the right school and one of the most important is whether you want your child to attend a state school or an independent school.

You should also look at the exam performances at a selection of schools and find out what extra-curricular activities there are that your child may be keen to get involved in.

Also if your child has special needs this will have a big impact on your decision and you will want to find somewhere with experienced staff and good facilities to cope.

It is never too early to think about your child's schooling. At many of the best schools competition for places is tough.

It is necessary to register with a school in the year prior to attendance so it is helpful to leave plenty of time to weigh up all the options.

Make a list of schools you are interested in and phone them up to request a brochure, or any literature regarding the school.

Look out for any open days that are coming up or phone and arrange a visit to the school independently, where you can chat to teachers and look at the facilities.

When visiting look for signs of happy children and ask to see samples of work, also inquire about class sizes to make sure your child gets the individual attention they deserve.