Visiting Schools
Many
parents are nervous about visits and fail to ask the questions that are
important. It may well be helpful to write down the questions to which
you want answers.
You need to be sure that you know about:
COST
What do the fees include? What are the typical extras?
DISCIPLINE
Ask about rules and the means of enforcing them and the punishments.
EXAMINATION RESULTS
These
are not the only way of judging a school and it is important to
remember that the academic quality of pupils entering schools may vary
greatly. Schools may be justly proud of successes gained through hard
work by both staff and pupils with children of modest ability. Parents
sometimes over-estimate the ability of their children and a school
prepared to encourage the less bright may be better for your child than
a school which achieves strings of A grades at A level.
Find
out about the school's policy on entries for examinations: some
schools enter pupils even if they do not have a good chance of passing;
other schools enter only pupils who are expected to pass. Percentage
pass rates from such schools will vary! In general it will be most
helpful to you to ask specific questions: 'What happened to last
year's leavers?' is a better question than 'What happens to your
leavers?'
Always remember that you are a potential customer,
that your decision about the right school for your child is a very
important one. Ask what you want to know. Schools will be as anxious as
you are that you know fully about them, but only you know what is
really important to you.
When you have seen the schools and
have made up your mind, the Head will tell you how to apply for a
place. Many schools have a considerable demand for places and so the
earlier your application is made the less likely you are to be
disappointed.
Where to find a Home Tutor:
Taken from the Daily Telegraph Supplement ( Summer 2002)
British Home Tutors : tel no: 020 7681 1079. Internet: www.bht.co.uk
Personal Tutors: tel no. 0161 428 2285. Internet:www. personal-tutors.co.uk
After School Tuition: tel no. 01245 495592. Internet: www.after-school-tuition.co.uk
