All “Choosing a School” articles

Visiting a school is the single best way of finding out what it’s genuinely like. Here’s how to do it well.

Want your child to learn pliés and jetés alongside oracy and algebra? We list our favourite schools for dance.

What is the point of school uniform? As British as a cup of tea or fish and chips but how much does it affect a child's education?

There comes a time for most expat families when they have to face big questions about what's best for their children’s education.

We canvassed opinions from parents who had brought their children to the UK and taken up places at British schools.

Whether you are returning to work or want your child to socalise with other kids, there is a world of childcare options available.

Grammar schools are academically selective senior schools, state-funded, and typically popular with ambitious parents.

Elective home education is when parents opt for an alternative to traditional full-time school-based education for their children.

Processes for applying for a state school place outside of the standard rounds of admissions can be confusing.

Some special needs are easy to spot, others are found once a child has difficulties, frustrations, social and emotional problems.

This issue of 'Ask Our Expert' sees our education consultants advise on home schooling, school fees, managing family life and more

Bangkok is now a major hub in Asia and as its global population has grown, world-quality international schools have followed.

Today’s boarding schools offer a choice of full boarding, weekly boarding, flexi boarding or even a combination of the three.

In 'Ask Our Experts' our consultants help a family navigate their child’s educational journey, mixing state and private education.

Registration fees and entry deposits are two hidden costs you could be expected to pay before your child starts at private school.

When a child has an EHCP, a parent can name the school of their choice which gives them priority over many other applicants.

Which UK schools are the best on water? We run through nine of the country’s finest rowing schools.

London is home to many of the UK’s most academic state and private schools. Here’s a beginner’s guide to finding the right one.

VAT is now payable on private school fees. We ask what fees now look like and how schools and families are affected.

To choose a school for a SEN child, first priority is whether the school can support your child’s needs. Here’s what to consider.

What kind of school do you want for your child? It helps to have a plan in mind, even if you change it at a later date.

What can you do to get ahead when planning your family's move to a new country?

Children in Scotland study for six years at secondary school, in year groups that run from S1 to S6

Gifted children develop cognitively at a much faster rate than they develop physically, emotionally and socially.

Want to know which schools boast the best swimming programmes, pathways, coaches and facilities? We choose our favourites.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate is appointed by the Department for Education to inspect private schools.

American international schools were designed to cater for children of US families but these days have a good mix of nationalities.

We give schools advice to a family keen to set their son on the path to academic success from a very young age.

Ofsted inspects and regulates services that care for, educate, and train children and young people.

Moving children between the two hemispheres is tricky due to the different school systems in the UK and Australia.

Whether you want to change from single sex to co-ed or from day to boarding, there are many reasons to move schools post-GCSEs.

How to play the system and when you should change school from private school to state, or state school to private.

School libraries should offer a wide range of books as well as providing an inspiring space to read and study.

Is private school still the best way to give a child a good start in life? We discuss opportunities, universities and fees.

We list five essential questions to ask schools about children's smartphone usage and the support available to parents.

Ukrainian refugees have the right to schooling in the UK. For host families, here's how to find a school for a Ukrainian child.

The Steiner Waldorf philosophy is that children should enjoy learning for its own sake, not merely to pass exams.

Special schools have smaller classes, more individual attention and staff with excellent understanding of the needs of children.

Here our education consultant gives some key pointers to a family looking to leave Hong Kong and return to the UK

At performing arts schools, the arts are intrinsic to the school curriculum. Could it be the right option for your child?

Advice for a family moving their children from an International Baccalaureate school abroad to continue their studies in the UK.

For a child with SEN, the move from primary school to secondary school is far from easy. Here’s how you can support them.

In-person open days are back and schools are ready for parents but will the usual questions tick the boxes in pandemic times?

Social media and AI are becoming the research tools of choice for many parents looking for a new school.

Whether it's about Artificial Intelligence, school closures or online misogyny, we have the key questions to ask a school in 2023.

Key issues to consider regarding education when moving your family to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong.

A child making progress at a slower rate than peers may have global development delay. Here’s how to help them in school and home.

Everything you need to know about state boarding in the United Kingdom plus a list of all state boarding schools.

If your child has specific learning difficulties it can be a dilemma to place your child in mainstream or specialist education.

We asked the British Diplomatic Service Families Association to help answer some often-asked questions.

Welsh schools provide full-time education for children ages 4 to 16 and follow the Curriculum for Wales.

Top schools tax consultant, Kieran Smith of Crowe UK, answers your most pressing questions on the new school fees VAT charge.

Montessori schools put children firmly at the centre of their learning with methods based on creativity and problem solving.

State schools in the UK provide a free, government-funded education for children aged 4 to 18.

Children in Scotland complete 7 years of primary school, starting in P1 and continuing until P7 and then start secondary school.

The National Curriculum in English primary schools is a set of subjects and standards for children aged 4 to 11.

Northern Ireland has its own curriculum which sets out what must be taught to children aged between 4 and 16.

Professionals agree that siblings of special needs children can suffer emotional impacts; evidence suggests it’s not all negative.

Progress 8 and Attainment 8 aim to give a rounded picture of school performance and encourage improvement from all pupils.

How do you find the best secondary school for your child, when do you apply and what is the admissions process?

"La Matu" is the qualification earned by Swiss students towards the end of their time at secondary school.

Private school fees have increased 8% on average in the last year. Many families feel they are priced out of private education.

Alternative schools provide an option for parents who do not want their children to be educated in mainstream schools.

Teaching young people to be resourceful, innovative and enterprising, presenting our favourite schools for DT and engineering.

Parents of summer-born children often wonder whether a later start to primary school would help

Can you plot your child’s every step on their journey through school? We take a look at education planning.

Do you want to know which parts of England have the best state school options?

A game of high sticks. Find out which schools are rated on the hockey field by The Good Schools Guide.

What does good teaching assistant support look like for children with SEN? We examine the role of TAs and LSAs.

Moving from the American system into the British system is a tricky transition and success depends on the age of the student.

Moving school at any age can be difficult and your children will need the right support.

When a child has problems with grammar or speech sounds, poor listening or stammering, it is called speech and language difficulty

Forest school is regular outdoor sessions that to enable children to develop confidence through hands-on learning.

International schools and American international schools should be accredited by globally recognised organisations and agencies.

Children with learning difficulties may appear immature, not mix with their peers and struggle with literacy and numeracy skills.

When children live overseas during formative years in a country other than their own, they are called third culture kids (TCKs).

Find out which English local authorities still have academically selective state grammar schools.

David Quintrell, of wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin, answers questions about financial planning and managing school fees.

You may think you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to international schools but take a closer look at what's on offer.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen Lambrook School in Berkshire for Prince George and his siblings Charlotte and Louis.

How to find a mainstream school for a child with special needs. There are variations in SEN support offered by mainstream schools.

Our boarding school experts reveal their essential advice to help you find the right school for your child.

Nurseries are where children who are too young for primary school go for full-time or part-time care and education.

Online schools are an alternative to more traditional schooling. So who do they suit and how do you find the best one?

The Labour government’s planned shake up of SEND support in schools has far-reaching implications.

Prep schools and pre-prep schools are private schools for pupils aged 4 to 13, preparing them for entry into senior schools.

Timely questions to help parents understand how schools are responding to today’s educational challenges

A headteacher took her own life after her Caversham primary school's Ofsted inspection. We believe change is required.

What will private school fees look like in the coming years? Planning for annual fee increases is essential.

Which grammar schools (academically selective state schools) in England are best at helping children progress academically?

Read about our approach to school data and which measures we choose to publish alongside our school reviews.

The National Curriculum aims to provide a balanced and broadly based education that’s consistent across the country.

What do schools’ affiliations and memberships actually mean? We explore the purpose of these private school organisations.

It’s often the easiest logistically but is expecting one school to suit all your children sensible?

In the UK, 2,500 private schools offer a range of educational styles and academic levels. Here’s everything you need to know.

Most boarding preps go up to year 8 because the senior boarding schools for which they prepare their pupils start in year 9.

Opting for a change of scene at sixth form and choosing a school that offers boarding is not unusual.

Are single-sex schools better than coeducational? Both have their supporters and critics. We weigh up the options.

There is no such thing as an American national curriculum but schools are expected to match certain requirements.

We list the UK schools whose buildings inspire, motivate and bring pleasure to pupils and staff.

Detailed information on choosing and applying for a state primary school in England.

Annual school fees range from £5,994 to £85,989 but how can you tell how much you need to spend to get what you want?

With a variety of nursery options available, how do you choose one in which your child can thrive, flourish, and develop?

Faith schools are state-funded schools in the UK with an affiliation to a particular religion or faith-based organisation.

Nurseries range from tiny village nurseries to larger commercial enterprises and offer a range of childcare options.

British schools, especially boarding schools, like to have children from abroad. Here are our tips for a successful application.

Schools play a pivotal role in guiding young performers on to greater things. We identify just a few of our favourites.

How are schools tackling 'green' issues and is it something parents should pay close attention to when choosing a school?