Finding your child’s first school, by Headteacher Caroline Oglethorpe
It is undoubtedly nerve-wracking selecting your child’s first school and home of academic, emotional and social learning for the next seven years. Where has the time gone? As parents searching for the right match, we all want teachers who will create a happy, safe childhood experience and ensure our children reach their potential. We hope that our sons and daughters will make great friends and their natural curiosity will be nurtured, as they become engaged, self-confident and lifelong learners.
With so many catchment schools plus independent options, how do we choose? Always visit, don’t listen to hearsay. How do the teachers and pupils interact. Do you see kindness, manners and fun? Does it feel welcoming? Do the children look happy? Questions to ask: What kind of behaviours/skills does the school value most? What breaks up the day - PE, forest school, drama, music or art? How do teachers bring a topic to life to benefit all the pupils in a mixed ability class? What’s the community like? Are there affordable childcare and afterschool club options to help busy parents? Do all the pupils get to use to all the facilities?
I’d like to invite you to visit my school, Westbourne House. We are opening our doors to visitors for a week, 27-31 January 2025. Come and see the teachers in action, witness the enriched learning opportunities and talk to pupils about what they love about school. Register with admissions@westbournehouse.org or visit www.westbournehouse.org/visit.