Getting Your Child Into Your Perfect, First Choice School
It is no secret that, as parents, you want the best for your child and will do whatever you can to ensure they have a good future ahead of them. Today, we know that there is more to the perfect school for your child than just somewhere with a challenging curriculum and students who score high marks. There is a need for emotional intelligence, positive experiences, and a wonderful environment in order to give your child a wonderful school experience and secure a successful future. Here are the three key elements for getting your child into your perfect, first-choice school.
Research
The only way to know which school is the perfect fit for your child and the steps to get there is through thorough research. It is so important to start researching early and gather as much information as possible. To make an informed decision, you will need to have all of the up-to-date information on the schools that you’re interested in and their criteria for admissions.
Furthermore, it is imperative to research the registration and admissions process to avoid missing any deadlines or making any small mistakes that could cost your child. For instance, highly competitive schools require a great lead time for registration, often beginning at age 10 for 13+. You will want to know all that you can about the schools and exams and have a feel for the environment by this time. One way to research the school further is by planning a visit to the campus. This will allow you and your child to gain an understanding of the school’s environment and help you both narrow down the search.
Study
Due to the high competition at these schools, the exam and interview processes are extremely important and require a lot of preparation. Dedicating a lot of time to studying for the entrance exams, preparing your child for the interviews, and learning about the process is necessary for admission into their first choice school. The goal is to have your child feel confident and prepared while completing these steps of the admissions process.
To begin with, you must be ready for the entrance exams at each school. Most exams usually consist of a math, English, and reasoning section. However, some schools may require additional subjects such as a language or humanities subject. The exam will be graded by the school and based on their own criteria. Most schools will provide previous papers that can be used to prepare for the exam, along with lots of free reading and studying. However, most children seek out professional help to make sure they perform their absolute best. It is basically a requirement to reach out to a professional tutor in order to stay up to pace with the other applicants.
If your child is successful with the entrance exam, they will be asked back for an interview with the school. This requires as much studying and preparation as the exam itself. The interview process is how the school will get to know your child’s personality and understanding of their area of study. They will want to prepare by attending mock interviews, and practising answering commonly asked questions. The questions usually revolve around the student’s hobbies, interests, and academic knowledge. They will be expected to be able to debate competently and have lots of research-based evidence to back up any arguments that they make. The goal of the interview is to make sure that the school and your child are a good fit for each other.
Customise
The most important thing to remember is that you want to make a decision that is best for your child, not the one that looks best on paper. Every student is different, and not every school is the perfect fit for them. Be sure to consider your child and their own personal needs at every step of the decision-making process.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a school. For instance, your child might thrive in a single-sex environment rather than a co-educational setting. Their personality will influence their learning style and areas of strength, which can ultimately affect your decision. Other factors such as the school’s location, traditions and values, religious affiliation, security and pastoral care are extremely important considerations. These are all key elements that can change the experience your child will have.
It is also a good idea to speak with other parents and meet with teachers to understand the schools’ expectations and other students’ experiences. This is a great way to discover more about the school than what you are able to find online. Plus, by attending meet-and-greet events and speaking with other parents, your child will be able to interact with and meet other students who could potentially become great friends. This will allow them to have some friendly faces when they begin their time at school, as well as provide you with helpful insight about the school.
The perfect formula for getting your child into their perfect, first-choice school consists of researching, studying, and customising the search for your individual child. By taking these three steps, you and your child will feel confident about your decision, your child’s ability to succeed there, and the possibilities for their future. We can help you get there with the assistance of our expert tutors and school placement services at The Veda Group. With a 100% success rate of placement into first-choice schools and a 100% client satisfaction rate, there is no one better suited for the job. For more information or to book a free consultation, please visit www.thevedagroup.com.