Choosing the “right” school is a daunting and difficult task for most parents. Here, we show you how and where to start, providing all the knowledge you need to make an informed and appropriate decision that will benefit your child and your family.
Schools vary greatly in their philosophies, subject range, staff and, of course, cost. Choosing a school is no longer dependent on a preference for private versus public education. These days, many other factors must be considered, such as a school’s specialisations, location and extra-curricular opportunities. Here in Australia, we are fortunate that our education offerings are of a high quality and we have a large range of options from which to choose.
There are, however, so many variables, made even more complex by “league” tables, which are sometimes published in the media and list the top-performing schools. Some parents may find themselves being influenced by a table that ranks the state’s best schools according to VCE results, or by the rankings on the government’s My School website, which allows parents to compare schools’ performance in the NAPLAN tests for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Without taking anything away from the fantastic achievements of the students, schools and teachers who have attained these excellent results, it is recommended that a full picture be gained before these tables are used as stand-alone measures of top schools. There are many indicators of a good school that can help you choose one for your child.Because parents want to match the best school with the aptitudes, interests, values, aspirations and abilities/skills of their children, this often requires a considerable amount of footwork to visit schools to see the facilities on offer and to speak with staff and principals.
When evaluating schools, parents need to be persistent, well researched and have a clear understanding of the Victorian education system — as well as the choices available — before making their final decision.
There’s a lot to be done before visiting individual schools. Parents need to think hard about their child’s needs and their own expectations and values.
Your child will have opinions about what school he or she wants to attend and that may depend on particular areas of interest, subjects offered, perhaps a language and, more often than not, where their friends are going. Ask them to compile a list of what they like about school. Discuss with them their strengths and weaknesses and what they want to achieve within their secondary education.
It is helpful for your child to talk about the senior secondary course they would like to do at school (for example VCE or IB) and the further education, training and employment pathways following completion of school. Most young people respond well to casual conversations about careers, such as the world of work as you have experienced it. The most important thing is to be positive about the ideas and choices made by your child and their chances of finding a satisfying career path. This needs to include a consideration of what they are good at (aptitudes), what they like or enjoy doing (interests), what’s important to them (values), what they want to achieve (aspirations) and what they can do (skills).
Sending a child with little interest in academic studies to a school that prides itself on its high tertiary entrance rate could create problems if your child wants to pursue a vocational pathway. Conversely, students with little sporting interest or ability may suffer by attending a school that enforces extra sporting activities. Talk to your child’s teachers and find out what they recommend. Most importantly, discuss the decision with your child and work with them — it is their future education.
The school you eventually select will have a considerable influence on your child and their future, so you’ll want the values it promotes to be close to your own. You need to work out what you want from a school before asking what it has to offer.
Values don’t just mean moral and religious values. They also refer to a range of social issues, such as the school’s attitude to affirmative action for girls, bullying and discipline policies and the nutrition policy at the canteen.
There are many practical points to consider regarding your willingness to be involved in school-related activities. You need to decide if you have the time to be part of your child’s travel arrangements or if there are public transport options available. How much time and energy are you prepared to give to the school? Some schools expect a high level of parental involvement, others less. If you have more than one child at secondary level, are their needs quite similar or are they likely to attend different schools? If they are, demands on your time will be multiplied.
Choosing a School for Your Child is a great starting point for deciding on a secondary school for your child. But there will be other sources of information for finding out what schools offer, including the internet, school visits, open days and discussions with teachers, principals or other appropriate staff. It is also a good idea, where possible, to speak with the families of students currently enrolled at the school of your choice. The community feel of a particular school is also worth taking into consideration.
Make a shortlist of schools that you consider suitable, then make appointments to speak with the appropriate person(s) at the school. This might be the registrar, the principal or the year-level coordinator.
It’s best to start your research early to meet enrolment deadlines set by schools. At the beginning of a child’s final year of primary school, parents will be asked to complete enrolment forms for the secondary school of their choice. This allows secondary schools to plan for the following year well in advance. The Year 6 coordinator at your child’s current school can assist with questions and the appropriate paperwork.
If you are seeking to gain a scholarship for your child, research exam and interview dates as early as possible as they’re usually held near the start of the school year.