Choosing a secondary school

Secondary school admissions open today (Friday) for September 2024 and close at midnight on October 31.

Although some aspects of choosing a secondary school for your child are similar to choosing a primary school, there are also some big differences. The main one is probably that your child has started to grow up and to show an aptitude for certain subjects and quite is likely to have their own views on which school they should attend.

Although you should listen to your child’s views, they are not the only factor, as they are likely to be very heavily biased by what their friends think, so they should not make the final decision. Having said that, youngsters often do hear things about schools that their parents may not, so talk to them about what is behind their views. It may give you useful information on questions you should be asking when you visit any prospective schools. Be aware that schools can change quickly, a school with a good reputation can go downhill, and vice versa. Walk by schools during lunch breaks and at the end of the day to get a feel for how the students behave when they are out of the classroom.

Always try to visit more than one secondary school, even if you think you know which one you want for your child; it will give you the opportunity to compare what is available and have a back-up plan if your chosen school is over-subscribed.

Don’t just look at Ofsted reports and exam results. One important test is how much ‘added value’ a school gives. Look at the Progress 8 score for the schools you are considering, which shows how well students have progressed at the school across a range of eight subjects. A positive score means they have achieved above-average progress, a negative one indicates it is below average.

You can find information on individual school websites or on all Island secondary schools at iow.life/iwsecondary, where you will also find statistics on absences, finances and other useful information. If you are considering private education you can find reports on schools at iow.life/iwindependent.

If your child has an aptitude for certain subjects then quiz the school on how they teach those and ask to speak to the subject teacher. Similarly, if your child has special educational needs then talk to the school about how they will provide the support needed. Conversations now can give you a feel for how communication will go once your child attends school.

Look at any extra-curricular activities that may interest your child, and consider whether he or she will be able to access them.

This is an important decision for your child, so take time to get it right.