Plus open days, secondary school applications and the best schools in Essex
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Dear subscriber
We hope you all had wonderful summers, managed to find some slivers of sunshine wherever you spent the holidays, and are feeling positive about getting back to school and a normal routine. At The Good Schools Guide we love September – it always brings such optimism and the chance to do we love most, getting out and about visiting schools to bring you the most up to date detailed school reviews available.
Much has been reported in the media recently about increases in private school fees, with The Daily Telegraph stating ‘middle classes being priced out of best education for their children as costs rise at fastest pace for 20 years’. Sweeping statements like this don’t sit well with us; the ‘best education’ is not always the most expensive – for many children it is found in the state-maintained sector – and the majority of private schools don't charge the exorbitant fees listed in the media. Our blog on the ever-increasing costs of private education takes a balanced look at the national picture, considers how most independent schools are working to keep fee inflation under control and outlines what parents can expect in the future.
If open days are on your autumn to-do list, you might be feeling overwhelmed but our article on school open days gives you the inside track before you set off. It covers what to look out for on the day and those all-important questions to ask to get a true picture of what a school’s really like. If you’re lucky enough to live in catchment for a great state-maintained secondary school, the application deadline of 31 October is just around the corner and we've got the perfect article to help you through the secondary school admissions process.
Those of you thinking about looking for a tutor to get the academic year off to a flying start should read our article, finding a tutor, to get the inside track on how to track down the perfect match for your child. Don’t forget that we have meticulously reviewed over 50 of the best tutor agencies to help you narrow your search.
Finally, our latest in-depth educational area guide covers the county of Essex. Written by our local experts, it covers everything from nurseries in key towns to the best state primaries, secondaries and grammar schools and the county’s stellar private and boarding options. With links to our famously candid school reviews, it’s the only guide you need if you’re looking at schools in the area or are thinking of moving there. Please share with your friends and family!
Don’t forget that our education consultants are here to help at every stage of your child’s academic journey. We’re more affordable than you might think and love solving your educational dilemmas! London-based parents can visit us in person on stand 602 at the Independent Schools Show at Battersea Evolution on 11 and 12 November.
With warmest wishes
The Good Schools Guide team
News of hefty school fee increases landed this summer with headlines pointing to a handful of British boarding schools charging more than £50,000 a year. But are such fees now the norm or can an exceptional private education be purchased for much less? We explore 2023's hike in fees and the options for families feeling the pinch.
An open day is the best chance prospective parents and pupils will have to get a feel for a school, inspect the facilities and chat with pupils and staff. There's nothing quite like walking through the gates for working out whether a school is the right place for your child. Let us help you figure out what to look for and the questions to ask.
The 2023 Independent Schools Show is the biggest and most feature-packed yet. Meet over 250 schools, for all ages from nursery to sixth form. Meet London day schools, boarding schools, specialist schools, and schools within commuting distance of the capital.
Over 100 speakers in the talks and workshops programme are on hand to answer key parental questions. Find out how to: find the right school, prepare for entry tests, make SEN choices, start boarding, transfer from a state school, see if you qualify for fee assistance. Each year the show helps thousands of families to plan the next steps for their children. Tickets are £15. Advance tickets are FREE.
If your child's just started year 6, you've less than two months before the secondary school application deadline. Have you got all your ducks in a row?
If you're looking for a new school then perhaps entrance exams are on the cards. Could your child do with help from a tutor over the next year?
The Good Schools Guide surveys the best schools in Essex, as well as tutors, boarding and nurseries in the county.
No school can buy their way into our good books. Which is why, now in their 8th editions, The Good Schools Guide London North and London South are invaluable for parents navigating the fiercely competitive London education system.
Packed to the brim with everything you need to know about the London education scene, the books include the latest advice on school fees, entry requirements and 2022 exam results, academic rigour and, of course, more than 400 impartial, straight-talking and thoroughly researched school reviews for which we are famous. Order your copies of the new editions now.
