Choosing a school isn’t something you do lightly. For most parents, the first real glimpse of what lies ahead comes on a visit or open morning. You find yourself walking through the gates, perhaps with a slightly nervous child at your side, and suddenly the decision feels very real. The chatter in the corridors, the way pupils greet their teachers, the buzz of a lesson in action – these are the details that tell you more than any glossy prospectus ever could.
More than simply a chance to look around an open morning is an opportunity to picture your child in this environment, to see how they might fit into the rhythm of the place and to ask the questions that matter most to your family.
That first feel
Every school has its own atmosphere. Some are lively and bustling, others calmer and quieter. You’ll probably sense it within minutes of arriving. Notice how staff greet families. Are pupils happy to chat with visitors? Is there a sense of warmth and order without everything feeling staged? First impressions may not tell you everything, but they’re rarely wrong.
Hearing from the headteacher
Most visits include a talk from the head. It’s worth listening not just to what they say, but how they say it. Do they talk purely about grades and destinations, or do they emphasise the kind of people they hope their pupils will become? The best heads manage to balance ambition with care, showing that they value curiosity, kindness and resilience just as much as academic success.
Inside the classroom
Not every open morning will include live lessons – often classrooms are tidied up and presented for visitors – but some schools do invite parents to observe teaching in progress, especially on private tours during a normal school day. If you do get the chance, pay attention to how teachers interact with pupils. Is there energy in the room? Are children engaged and confident to speak up? Look too at the work on the walls, the books on the shelves and the resources children have at hand. Even when lessons aren’t running, these details reveal the everyday experience that shapes learning.
Where observation is possible, notice how teachers handle different learners. Are they stretching the more able pupils without leaving others behind? Do they give children space to think and make mistakes, or is the pace rushed and pressured? A classroom where pupils feel safe to share ideas, where mistakes are treated as part of the process, is usually a classroom where genuine learning is happening.
If you’re able to see more than one subject in action – perhaps a lively science experiment, a calm English discussion or a maths class full of practical problem-solving – you’ll get a useful snapshot of the school’s teaching style. It’s a glimpse of how your child might experience their own lessons day to day.
Pupils as guides
Many schools invite pupils to show families around. Their honesty and enthusiasm can be the most helpful insight of all. If you get the chance, ask questions like:
- What do you enjoy most here?
- Which clubs or activities are popular?
- What’s one thing you’d change if you could?
How they answer, and how they carry themselves, will give you a strong sense of the school culture. You’ll quickly spot whether children feel confident, valued and proud of their school or whether they are simply reciting rehearsed lines.
Life beyond lessons
Academics are only part of the story. A great school gives children room to explore new interests and develop confidence outside the classroom. Sport, drama, music, debating, art and community projects all help children discover what excites them.
Ask how the school encourages participation. Do the majority of pupils take part in a club, or is it only a small, select group? Are performances, matches and exhibitions celebrated so that every child feels their contribution matters? The richness of school life often lies in these extra spaces, where children discover skills and friendships that last far beyond their school years.
It’s also worth finding out about trips and opportunities outside the school gates. Residential stays, language exchanges, cultural visits and volunteering projects can all broaden horizons in powerful ways. These experiences shape children’s independence, resilience and curiosity as much as anything taught in the classroom.
Care and support
Every parent wants to know their child will be happy as well as successful. Pastoral care can sometimes feel harder to measure, but it’s worth pressing on the details. Ask how new pupils are helped to settle in, what systems exist for mentoring or counselling and how the school deals with worries like friendship issues or anxiety. A strong pastoral culture is often what helps children thrive.
Pay attention to how pupils talk about their relationships with teachers. Do they feel known as individuals? Do staff notice when a child is struggling or in need of encouragement? Schools that place equal weight on wellbeing and achievement tend to bring out the best in children.
The practical side
It’s easy to get swept up in the bigger picture, but everyday practicalities matter too. Think about:
- The journey to school and whether it’s sustainable long term
- Class sizes and how much individual attention pupils receive
- Wraparound care such as breakfast or after-school clubs
- The admissions process and how competitive entry is
If admissions involve assessments, interviews or reference checks, it may be worth thinking about how to support your child in the run-up. At Dukes, we offer tailored entrance exam tutoring and interview preparation to help children feel confident for these important steps.
Questions worth asking
Go armed with a few thoughtful questions. For example:
- How do you support pupils who are ahead in some subjects?
- How do you help children who find learning more challenging?
- How do teachers share progress with parents?
- What qualities do you hope children will leave with beyond exam results?
If you’d like ideas for how to prepare your child for the questions they might face during the admissions process, our private tutoring services can provide that one-to-one guidance.
After the visit
Once you’ve toured a few schools, take time to reflect. Which places linger in your mind? Did any feel particularly welcoming or inspiring? Sometimes the right choice becomes clear not from hard facts alone, but from a gut feeling that your child would belong there. Trust that instinct as it’s often the best guide you have.
It can help to jot down notes straight after a visit. Your immediate impressions, both positive and negative, will be fresher in your mind. Compare these later with your partner or child. Often it’s the small observations like a teacher’s warmth, the way older pupils supported younger ones or the calm of a library space that make the biggest difference in your decision.
Helping your child take the next step
School visits are the beginning of an important journey. What follows can include assessments, interviews and the challenge of stepping into a new environment with confidence. Children often rise to the occasion when they know there is steady guidance behind them – someone to focus them, encourage and remind them they’re capable of more than they think.
If you’d like one-to-one support shaped around your child’s needs, our tutors can help them feel prepared for entrance assessments and interviews, while also building the confidence and resilience that will serve them well beyond admissions. Call 020 3488 0754, email info@dukestutoring.com or complete our online enquiry form to find out more.
