How to choose a secondary school
6 min read ยท updated 2026-09-01
Choosing a secondary school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes before university, and the open-day theatre makes it harder, not easier. This checklist organises the decision.
Start with your child, not the league table
A high-ranking school where your child sits mid-bottom of a very able year can be worse for confidence than a good school where they rank upper-middle. Consider: does the school stretch without crushing? Does it have strength in your child's actual interests? Will the journey be sustainable for six years?
The facts to gather on every school
- โ Entry route: catchment, exam (11+/independent), faith or lottery, and key deadlines
- โ Progress measures: how much value the school adds, not just raw results
- โ GCSE and A-Level/IB subject range, especially for your child's interests
- โ Behaviour and wellbeing culture: ask parents of current students, not just the prospectus
- โ Travel time door-to-door at school-run hours, not on a map
Questions to ask at open days
- โ How are students grouped by ability, and how often does that change?
- โ What is the homework expectation per year group?
- โ How does the school communicate progress to parents?
- โ What support exists when a student falls behind?
- โ Where do students from last year's cohort go after results?
Then plan the academics
Once the list is short, tutoring slots in strategically: 11+ preparation for entry exams, or early GCSE foundations so Year 10 starts strong. Either way, the earlier the plan, the calmer the family. Our free demo classes are a good first data point for the decision.
FAQs
How many schools should we apply to?๏ผ
Most families shortlist three: one ambitious option, one strong realistic option, and one safe option they would genuinely be happy with. Check each one's admission criteria carefully.
When should we start looking?๏ผ
For Year 7 entry, begin in Year 5: open days run in autumn of Year 6 but preparation and entry-exam timelines start earlier.
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