Education consultants for UK state school choices
Do you need help finding the right state school?
Parents often find that securing a place in a UK state school is more complicated than they expect. They can feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice and uncertain about what their options might realistically be.
Many families come to us because they are trying to understand catchment areas, admissions rules, oversubscription criteria and application deadlines. Others are concerned about securing a place in a school they have set their heart on, navigating a secondary school application, or because they are moving schools and need advice about in year admissions or entry outside the main admissions points such as reception or year 7.
Our education consultants help families understand the realities of the state school system and identify schools where children are most likely to be happy, supported and successful.
Whether you are applying for a primary school, choosing a secondary school, considering changing schools, or exploring alternatives having been disappointed with the school that was allocated to you, we help families understand their options and plan the best route forward.
Speak to a state schools education consultant
If you need expert guidance on choosing a state school, we are here to help.
How we support families
Each family's circumstances are different. Some contact us before they apply for a school place; some after receiving an offer they are unhappy with. Others might have missed out on their first (or even second and third) choice school, or be moving house. Or perhaps they have decided that their child's current school is no longer the right fit.
Our role is to help families feel informed, supported and confident about the decisions ahead.
We tailor each service depending on your circumstances, but typically we will:
Arrange an initial consultation to understand your child, your priorities and your options
Explain how state school admissions work, including timelines and key deadlines
Help families understand catchment areas and admissions criteria
Advise on primary school and secondary school applications
Support families navigating school place allocations and appeals
Discuss options for changing schools
Research schools likely to suit your child's needs and personality
Suggest a list of schools that we feel would work for your family and your child
Advise on transition between primary and secondary school
Provide guidance on SEN provision where relevant
Offer ongoing support throughout the process
Many families return to us at different educational stages, from choosing a primary school through to secondary school transfer and sixth-form planning.
Some ways we can help
- Advising on SEN provision
- Advising on school catchment areas
- Support with applying for a school place
- Understanding state school admissions
- Supporting families with changing primary schools
- Understanding availability of secondary school places
- Helping families understand when to apply for primary schools
- Helping families understand how to choose secondary schools
- Understanding the appeal process after a disappointing school allocation
- Advice on the transition from the state sector to private schools and vice versa
- Advice on how to apply for primary school and how to choose a primary school
- Guidance on how to apply for secondary school and understanding the secondary school application process
Our heritage
Over the forty years since it was founded The Good Schools Guide has developed an unrivalled understanding of schools across the UK. We know that two schools with similar results can offer very different experiences for children, and that the 'best' school on paper is not always the school where a child will thrive.
Our consultancy service exists because parents often need more than the bare facts. They need context, perspective and independent advice from people who know the schools well.
Whether families are choosing a primary school, navigating the transition to senior school, moving house or exploring alternatives after an unsuccessful school application, we help them make decisions with greater confidence and clarity.
Who are our education consultants?
Our education consultants are specialists in the UK education system and have extensive experience supporting families through state school admissions, school transfers and educational transitions. They understand children, schools, and the pressure every parent feels to ensure they make the right decision for their child.
Families come to us for many reasons. They may feel uncertain about their options, confused by admissions processes, or concerned that their child is not in the right school environment.
We focus on helping families identify schools where their child will thrive academically, socially and emotionally, while giving parents the clarity and reassurance they need to make informed decisions.
We provide:
Totally unbiased, independent advice — unlike many other educational consultants, we don't receive payment or commission from schools
Deep expertise across state primary and secondary schools
Guidance on admissions, transfers and school place allocations
Advice focused on both wellbeing and educational outcomes
Discreet, family-focused consultancy
Talk to us about state schools
We can help you understand your options and find the right school for your child.
Some families are lucky enough to live near a state school which is the perfect fit for their child, but more often than not parents are looking for choice, for a comparison. Choosing between state schools can be just as much of a dilemma as choosing between private schools, as is considering whether to move between the sectors at different points in a child’s educational journey. Our consultants have an unrivalled breadth and depth of knowledge across both state and independent schools and can offer expert advice, whatever your circumstances.Grace Moody Stuart, Consultancy Director
Some of our team
Grace Moody-Stuart
Consultancy director
Grace is director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants and has worked for The Guide for 20 years.
Elizabeth Coatman
Education consultant
Elizabeth is our leading state schools consultant and has advised over 400 families in their search for a good state school.
Charlotte Phillips
SEND consultancy manager
Before joining The Good Schools Guide, specialising in SEND, Charlotte wrote about education and family life for The Telegraph, Times and Guardian and more.
Other services we offer
Supportive schools for autism consultancy
Our experienced SEN education consultants support families looking for the right school for a child with an autism diagnosis.
London consultancy
With our team of consultants, we are ideally placed to advise families navigating the wide range of schools in London.
Private school consultancy
Our experienced private school consultants help families navigate the world of private schools.
FAQs about our state school consultancy
Can you help me find the right primary school for my child?
Our writers and consultants are based all over the UK, this means we can go beyond desktop research to give you the inside track and help you identify the best schools.
Can you help me find the right secondary school for my child?
The short answer is yes. We work hard to consider your child’s profile from a holistic point of view, their character, interests, academic profile and ensure that we can identify options where they will reach their potential.
How do catchment areas work and how will they affect our school choices?
Catchment is not straightforward as the boundaries can vary from year to year depending on the number of places allocated to groups of pupils higher up the priority list. However, we can help assess the chances of getting a place and work to help you identify other options to ensure you are not closing any doors.
How do you apply for a primary or secondary school in the UK?
There is a clear process and system that you need to follow. We can advise on this and ensure you are clear about any deadlines for applications and the criteria for admission to ensure you maximise your child’s chance of successfully getting a place in the school of your choice.
We didn't get the school we wanted. Can you help us understand our options?
We have an excellent state school appeals service. Our consultant will advise about your chance of success and support you with the preparation of your appeal. They can also provide information about alternative options.
How do you change primary schools in the UK?
It is possible to apply to any state school outside the usual entry point. This is a called an in year admission. Our consultants can advise about the process which will vary according to the local authority you are in.
How do you change secondary schools in the UK?
It is possible to make an in year admission application to any state school outside the usual entry point. Our consultants can advise about the process for this as well as which schools you might want to consider.
Can you help us choose where to live based on schools?
School provision in a particular area is often one of the most important factors when it comes to moving house. Where the very best state schools are located is a key part of the advice we can offer.
Will the consultant check whether schools have places available?
As part of our State School Premier Service, which involves hands-on support throughout the process and is designed to save you time and stress, we contact schools on your behalf to ensure you only apply where there is a reasonable chance of securing a place.
Can I speak to a consultant about a particular school?
Absolutely. We can arrange for a meeting with a consultant who knows the school and is able to give you objective, unbiased advice about that school in the context of your family’s circumstances and your child’s character, strengths and weaknesses.
Can your consultants assess my child's educational needs?
While we are not educational psychologists we frequently work with ed psychs and are experienced at understanding their reports, as well as reading between the lines of school reports. This helps us to identify which schools are likely to meet the particular needs of each child.
Can The Good Schools Guide guarantee my child a place at a school?
No. Places in state and private schools are offered on the basis of specific criteria and the starting point is whether there is any space in the school. Using an expert Good Schools Guide education consultant means you can ensure that you are applying to schools where your child has a good chance of getting a place and the process is likely to be smoother and more efficient.