First, a few things regarding choosing the best UK Private Schools for your child:
Most Private schools have three age groups.
- 3–7 years – Pre-Preparatory
- 7 to 11 or 13 – Preparatory
- 11 or 13 to 18 – Senior School
Some of the best UK private schools accept children as early as 1, but any child under 4 is in a nursery or kindergarten.
There can also have a “private sixth form college” for older students. Initially designed for A-Level students aged 16 to 20, many have included GCSE students aged 14 or 15.
The term “Preparatory” refers to private schools whose initial aim was to “prepare” students for competitive admission into public schools at the ages of 11, 12 or 13. However, UK independent education has grown significantly. Schools now cater to the requirements of both parents and students.
“Public School” refers to old-fashioned institutions like Eton and Harrow. There are now many more private senior schools, and the phrase “independent senior school” has become increasingly general.
It’s common for parents to send their children to some of the best UK private schools for a year or two before taking them to a mainstream school at 11 – as long as there are excellent state schools nearby.
To understand more about the independent sector, check out this video.
So here are 10 useful tips that will help you choose the best UK Private Schools that would suit your child.
1. Is the school a good match for your and your child’s fundamental needs and requirements?
- Age range, gender, day or boarding school, religious faith, and curriculum provided are all important considerations.
- Will they be day students or be boarding students?
- What do you prefer: weekly, biweekly, or full-time boarding?
2. Does it fulfil your goals for your educational life stage?
- Would you like for your child to pass the Common Entrance Exam for them to get admitted to a certain school?
- Do you prefer your son/daughter to go to a senior school that will provide them with the greatest chance of receiving an exceptional University offer?
- Are you “mixing and matching” your private and state education?
- Will your child be content in that environment?
- What are the opinions of other parents and children regarding the school?
- What is the ethos of the school?
- Is the school focused on academia more, or do they have a wider scope of interests?
- How does the school deliver lessons?
- Does the school develop or cater to your child’s interests?
- Does it have a verified track record of success?
- If applicable, SATS scores, high or low-pressure environments, and teaching quality (qualifications and experience) are all factors to consider.
- Where do their leavers end up?
- Are they successful in getting students into their first-choice senior schools?
- What are the final destinations when it comes to University?
- Do you agree with the school’s philosophy?
- The Head is always in charge of this. Read this and get acquainted with this on the school’s website.
- How would you describe the educational environment?
- Teacher quality and staff turnover are important factors to consider.
- What is their curriculum like?
- The size of the school and the size of the classes
- Discipline and regulations in the classroom
- Report on the school’s inspection
- How are the pastoral care facilities set up and maintained?
- After-school care provided by school personnel, medical care, and other services
- Does it offer school facilities that your child would be able to utilise?
Swimming pool, theatre, music and drama classes, and sports facilities are available at some of the best UK Private Schools have many of these facilities. Check them out.
- Is the location the best possible fit for you?
- What is more important to you, the city or the countryside?
- Is it possible to handle the school run throughout the daily rush-hour traffic?
- Does it provide you with good value for the money in terms of what you want?
Is the school excellent value for the service provided works with your budget and goes the additional mile for you and your child?
Some of the best UK Private Schools come at a hefty cost, and you need to ensure you can keep up.
Other alternatives to sending your child to the best UK private schools are ‘Grammar Schools’ and many parents choose this option. Check out a list of grammar schools in the UK here.
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