Parental responsibility can be overwhelming at times and one of the early tests of your decision making comes in the form of school selection. If you are fortunate enough to be able to buy an independent education for your child then the responsibility to get it right also has economic pressures as well. Having worked in primary education and made that decision for my own three children, I thought it might be helpful to share thoughts on the things that actually matter.
Ethos
I often compare choosing a school to choosing a new home – it’s a feeling – and that usually happens because your own values are reflected in the school values. Understanding the school’s priorities can also really help you understand if the school fits with your own ambitions for your child’s education.
Brilliant beginnings happen at Elmhurst because we lay strong foundations in pastoral care and well-being. A supportive parent/school relationship benefits the child and helps them to thrive and we are always keen to hear feedback from our parents as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
Size
Schools come in all sizes and the decision on which is right for you begins by considering your child. It would be easy to assume a confident, outgoing child needs a large environment to thrive but actually a small school where the child is known can create more responsive opportunities to allow even the most confident children to shine brightest. Interviewing our Year 6s this week it is clear that they echo the value they place on small class sizes, being known in school and having a clear voice within the classroom.
As part of Bellevue Education, at Elmhurst we enjoy the best of both worlds as we work with other schools in the group to create opportunities, such as national competitions and experiences like ski trips, whilst also enjoying the close relationships that a small, inclusive school affords.
Location
Our lives are incredibly busy and simple considerations of the day-to-day reality of attending a school need to be high on your list of priorities. Traffic in London can be frustrating so an easy school drop off, thanks to a handy bus stop or short local walk or drive, can make all the difference to your family life.
At Elmhurst, we are extremely fortunate to be centrally located, so access to London for parents (and pupils on school trips) is a real benefit. Our large car park can make late nights and early morning drop-offs that little bit easier, too.
School day timings
In a similar vein to location, the timings of the school day can have quite a significant impact on your family. Does the school offer flexibility in drop-offs? Is breakfast club an option? Can you collect your child later each day without incurring extra costs in terms of wraparound care?
With our all inclusive fee structure and flexible start to the day, we have tried to make school life as accommodating as possible for families. A forty minute window for drop-off takes the pressure off morning routines and supports a positive start to the day. Our wraparound care runs until 6pm, with children ready to be collected after play, prep and a snack.
Whichever school you choose, a commitment as the adults working with the child to work in partnership goes a very long way to building a long term successful relationship. We are grateful to our parents for their feedback and engagement in school life and see the benefits it brings to pupils everyday.
