Choosing your primary school

23rd January 2023 | Schools

With the deadline for applying for a state school place for Reception recently passing, we know that School choices are fresh in lots of parents’ minds.

If you are still considering your options, or thinking ahead for Reception 2024, I hope you find the below considerations useful.

Visit the School
Websites and social media are a great place to star, however, nothing beats visiting the School, ideally on a working day. This will give you a real sense of how the school works and a chance to speak to teachers and, most importantly, the current students! At LHS, we encourage families to visit as many times as they need.

Have a list of questions ready
You will need to find out about admissions processes and deadlines, uniform, wrap-around care, the curriculum, playtime, homework expectations, extracurricular and leadership opportunities, pastoral support and more! Don’t be afraid to ask for data to back up claims about academic progress. A good school will regularly examine this in-formation to work out the best learning route for your child.

Does the School provide for you practically?
It can be frustrating to progress so far into the admissions process and then realise their lack of wrap-around care means you won’t be able to combine drop-off and pick-up with your working life.

Is the school the right fit for your child?
This is possibly the most important consideration. Think about whether the school is a good fit for your child and if you can picture them there. Happy children make for en-gaged and successful learners.
Remember that your child will only be in Reception class for one year – it is hard to see that now! Your child will move from Reception to Year 6 very quickly, so it is important that you think about the school as a whole and not just a stand-alone year.

If you are considering LHS for your daughter, we are happy to talk you through every stage of the process to make sure you are making the right decision for your family.

Laura Heywood
Head of EYFS, Leicester High School for Girls