Selecting the best school Ask the experts for help and advice when selecting the ‘best’ school for your child. Although boarding schools appear similar when browsing the web or through prospectuses, in reality each has a unique quality. Our job as Education Consultants is to identify and match your child’s individual talents, skills and aspirations to a school that will challenge, encourage and develop, to ensure that each child reaches his or her full potential. The purpose and aim of the Education Consultant who specialises in school placement is to work on behalf of the family, to offer help and guidance in the selection of the ‘best’ school for their child. The education of each and every child is one of the most important decisions we make, time spent in early exploration and research is wise. Families living overseas are looking for reassurance that their children will achieve their full potential, in a happy, safe, secure environment. Working closely with an Education Consultant for the purpose of school selection should follow the process outlined below: PLAN EARLY WHAT TO EXPECT 1. Early planning is advisable, allow at least 18 months. 2. Ask questions and identify the type of educational environment that would best suit the needs of your child; is it to be co-educational or a single sex school, highly selective or more suitable for the ‘all rounder’. 3. Do you have any special requirements? i.e. Dyslexia, medical condition, learning or physical difficulties, intensive English language provision. 4. Do you require the school to be in any particular area of the UK? 5. Have copies of the child’s School Reports available. 6. Inform the child’s present school of your intentions; the Principal will be required to supply a reference. 7. Be clear about, if and when, you are able to visit the schools selected. 1. The Education Consultant selects schools that best meet the agreed criteria, for your consideration. 2. The Education Consultant will arrange for the school prospectuses to be sent to the family. 3. The Education Consultant should be available to discuss the benefits of each school selected and generally answer parent’s questions. 4. It is advisable to make appointments to visit 3 or 4 schools. To see the school in action is important, parents are advised to visit in term time whenever possible. UK SCHOOLS DIRECTORY 2019/20 5