Selecting a School

Does the school have a good academic record?

What does the curriculum include (a broad and well-balanced curriculum is best)?

Do you wish to send your children to a single-sex or a co-educational school?

Day or boarding school?

How many children attend the school and what is the average class size?

What are the qualification requirements for teachers? What nationality are the majority of teachers? What is the teacher turnover?

What extras are you required to pay?

Which countries do most students come from?

Is religion an important consideration in your choice of school? What is the religious bias of the school, if any?

Are special English classes provided for children whose English doesn't meet the required standard?

If you've decided on a boarding school, what standard and type of accommodation is provided?

What languages does the school teach as obligatory or optional subjects? Does the school have a language laboratory?

What is the student turnover?

What are the school terms and holiday periods?

If you're considering a day school, what are the school hours?

What are the withdrawal conditions, should you need or wish to remove your child?

What examinations are set? In which subjects? How do they fit in with future education plans?

What sports instruction and facilities are provided?

What are the facilities for art and science subjects, for example arts and crafts, music, computer studies (how many computers?), science, hobbies, drama, cookery and photography?

What sort of outings and holidays does the school organise?

What medical facilities does the school provide - infirmary, resident doctor or nurse? Is health and accident insurance included in the fees?

What sort of discipline and punishments are imposed and are restrictions relaxed as children get older?

What reports are provided for parents and how often? How much contact does the school have with parents?

Last, but not least, unless someone else is paying, what are the fees?

School Child Checklist

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