Open days: the essential questions to ask

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the splendour or the facilities of independent schools. That’s why I find it useful to take a list of questions as a prompt
Phoebe Wright, mum and journalist

Across Britain, schools are opening their doors to parents and pupils in a series of open days that offer excellent insight into the world of independent education. September/October are good times to visit schools so that you have time to draw up a shortlist and enter your child for any entrance exams set (these often take place in January). Another round of open days takes place in spring and some schools hold a summer event, too.

A browse online and a read of the prospectus can only tell you so much, which is why open days are invaluable for children and parents alike. They provide not only the opportunity to look around the school and soak up its atmosphere, but also the chance to meet the headteacher, form tutors and other pupils.

Candid answers

At many schools parents are shown round by a sixth form pupil or prefect and this allows visitors to ask questions about what it's like to attend the school every day. Is it a friendly place to be? Do pupils enjoy their time there? Are there problems with bullying? Is it very academic or is this balanced out with sport/art/drama/musical activities?

With so much to absorb you may find it helpful to take a checklist of questions with you, so that you can find out as much as possible (see below). 

As you're taking your tour it may help to see how the pupils interact with the staff. Is there a sense of friendliness and mutual respect? Do children of different age groups interact well or is there a feeling of distance? Most good schools encourage forms and age groups to mix in order to maintain a friendly atmosphere and prevent 'little ones' from feeling overwhelmed by older pupils.

If you can't attend an open day, you may be invited to visit the school on a normal working day. If this is the case, are you made to feel welcome when you enter a classroom? Teachers should always be ready for visits and willing to show you classwork and introduce you to pupils. Do the pupils look engaged in what they're doing, or are they staring at the clouds outside? Are they interacting well with the teacher and/or working well in small groups? There's so much you can tell before even striking up conversation. 

Informal chat

On many open days there's the chance to chat with teachers and the head over a cup of coffee and this gives you the chance to discuss academic achievement at the school, their staff to pupil ratio, class sizes and extra-curricular activities. If you have any queries on the cost of 'extras' such as school uniform, trips, clubs and music lessons, now is the perfect time to raise these. Some of the teachers may have children at the school or similar schools, so they should be able to give you an accurate idea of how much to budget for.

If it's a boarding school, ask who would be responsible for pastoral care and who your son or daughter could go to with a medical or personal problem. Staff can also advise on term times, how often you can visit and when your child can come home on breaks. Younger children may want to ask questions, such as 'can I bring my iPod or teddy' so it's good if they can chat with other pupils.

See below for a list of questions to ask at boarding school. 

Warning signs

When choosing a new school you are making a decision that affects your child's education for years to come. Clearly you want to look for a happy and friendly school, but continuity is also key especially through the crucial exam years. As you walk around, it's important to watch out for any signs that the school might be in financial trouble or under threat of closure. Do the buildings and grounds look well maintained; is the dormitory furniture of good quality; has the paintwork been refreshed recently; are the facilities up-to-date; are the computers recent models or do they look like big old televisions?

If you have any doubts about a school's finances, look them up on the charity commission website (www.charitycommission.org.uk). Check that the school has made a profit in recent years and that it doesn't have large debts. Or, ask to see the balance sheet from the bursar's office.

The questions parents ask

• What is discipline and behaviour like in the school and is there a clearly defined code of conduct for pupils to follow?
• Is the curriculum broad and well balanced?
• What are the class sizes?
• How long is the school day and what time will my child come home?
• Is there a Saturday school?
• How much homework is there in each age group?
• Where can I buy the uniform from?
• How many activities should my child be doing in a week?
• What kind of trips and excursions are there? How much do these cost?
• What are the music and drama facilities like?
• What is the school policy on bullying?
• Would you send your own children here (to the head/teachers)?
• Is it fun (to pupils)? Asking open questions is the best way to find out if children are happy here?
• What are the results like at the school? How does the school create a balance so that kids are successful but not too pressurised?
• How selective is the school academically and what is the current pass mark for the common entrance exam?
• What are the plans for developing facilities at the school?

If you have any queries regarding the financial viability of the school, the bursar should be able to answer these. Or check the school’s accounts on the Charity Commission website www.charitycommission.org.uk

Questions for boarding schools

• What kind of pastoral care is given to boarders and what healthcare is provided?

• What freedoms do pupils have?

• If they’re allowed out, what time do they have to be back?

• What can they do in the evenings and at weekends?

• How often can we visit?

• How is their day structured?

• Is there a mentoring system at the school for new boarders?

• Pocket money – how much should they have?

• What clothing should they bring and do I have to provide linen and towels?

• What is the food like and can we see a sample menu?

• Do you have a policy of taking siblings?

• How many children share a dormitory? 

• At what stage can my child have his/her own room?

• What's the school policy on drug taking or alcohol abuse?

• Who can they go to at the school if they want to talk to someone about a problem?

Case study: Visiting Westonbirt School... or should that be Brideshead Revisited?

Driving towards Westonbirt School in south Gloucestershire, on a sunny Saturday morning, my daughter Jess and I feel as though we've entered the world of Brideshead Revisited. I half expect to see a butler waiting at the doorway as we park up before the gothic mansion. Instead, a bubbly and friendly deputy head steps out to welcome us to the school's autumn open day – the perfect opportunity to look around, chat to pupils and teachers, and check out the facilities.

We were shown around by a friendly sixth form student, Amy, and were able to ask lots of questions as we wandered amid immaculate grounds, toured the brand-new sports centre and gazed in awe at the ornate library where the walls are lined with silk wallpaper. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the splendour or the facilities of some private schools. That’s why I find it useful to take a list of questions to ask. Even if you’ve studied the prospectus in advance, there are always going to be questions that can only be answered with a visit.

There was a meet and greet session over coffee where we could chat with teachers and the head, and I found this very useful for following up on queries about the curriculum and university entrance from the school.

I thought Westonbirt was excellent in many ways, and Jess loved the swimming pool, art room and sixth form dorms, in particular. It’s definitely high on our shortlist.

Jess still isn't convinced about attending a single sex school, but this is one of the best we've seen in the south-west.

More on shopping around to find the right school

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