Secondary school applications: getting your ducks in a row

If your son or daughter is stepping up to Year 5, now is the time to start exploring secondary school options. There is little time in the Autumn Term of Year 6, so it is worth starting early to minimise stress.

If your child is joining Year 6 in September, it isn’t too late, but you will probably need to get your skates on!

Here are steps to help you shortlist schools and find the perfect fit for their educational journey:

✅ Research and evaluate
Take time to understand different schooling options in your area. State or private? Comprehensive or selective? Consider factors like curriculum, extracurricular activities, facilities and ethos – not to mention commuting times.

✅ Visit open days
Attend school open days or virtual tours to gain insights into their environment, teaching methods and overall atmosphere. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for each school. However, make sure to check the dates and prioritise your visits, as they have been known to clash on Saturdays in October.

✅ Seek recommendations
Talk to parents, friends and education professionals to gather recommendations and insights based on their experiences. Personal referrals can be invaluable.

✅ Shortlist and prioritise
Create a shortlist of schools that align with your child's needs and aspirations. Prioritise factors such as academic reputation, pastoral care and the overall educational philosophy.

✅ Attend taster days
Take advantage of taster days or trial lessons offered by schools on your shortlist. This first-hand experience allows your child to interact with teachers and students, and get a taste of the learning environment.

✅ Consider admissions criteria
Ensure you familiarise yourself with each school's admissions process and requirements and understand key dates, entry exams, interviews and any additional documentation needed. The application deadline for state secondary schools is 31 October, but many state grammar schools have very early deadlines for assessment registration forms.

✅ Consult with experts
Finding the right secondary school is a crucial step in shaping your child's future. As an experienced Education Consultant, I can assist parents in identifying suitable schools that are the right fit for children on the basis of IQ and EQ.

My team and I were among the first in the world to pilot an AI-powered system for academic benchmarking. This allows me to evaluate your son or daughter's current academic levels against the standards of academically selective schools. Our unique educational consultancy approach combines emotional insight into a child’s character with detailed data to guide a family’s school search journey, helping you to make informed decisions, without the stress.

Get in touch now to get all your ducks in a row. 🦆🦆🦆

Picture: Duck Decoy, Max Fernekes (1937) – National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.