Tips for Choosing the Right School

Seven Questions Every Parent Should Ask

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Academic results, facilities, extracurricular opportunities and pastoral care all deserve attention, but they do not tell the whole story. A school can look impressive on a website or during a visit. The real measure of its quality often emerges later, once a child has arrived, settled into daily routines and begun to experience the ordinary ups and downs of school life.

What happens when a student feels homesick, struggles with a subject or needs extra reassurance? How does a school respond when a child’s needs turn out to be different from what anyone expected? These questions are especially important when considering an international or boarding school, where the relationship between families and staff must be built on trust across distances and cultures.

Here are seven questions worth asking before choosing the right school for your child.

1. What does care look like when something goes wrong?

Every school can describe its commitment to wellbeing. Parents should also ask what that commitment looks like in practice, particularly outside classroom hours. If a child is unwell late on a Friday evening, who is available? Who notices when a normally sociable student becomes withdrawn? How do the academic, boarding and health teams communicate with one another?

At La Garenne International School, houseparents are available around the clock for boarding students, and nurses are present on both the Junior and Senior School campuses. These arrangements matter because care should not stop when lessons finish. Families can ask schools to explain their procedures, points of contact and ways of keeping parents informed, rather than relying on broad assurances alone.

2. Which children does the school support best, and where might extra help be needed?

No two students arrive with identical needs, interests or learning profiles. A thoughtful admissions conversation should therefore explore not only what a child can contribute to school life but also what they may need to flourish. Ask how teachers identify learning difficulties, support students who are new to English and challenge those who need additional academic stimulation.

La Garenne has a learning support department and offers English as a Second Language (ESL) support for students who need it. The important question for parents is how support is assessed, coordinated and reviewed for their particular child. A school should be able to discuss its approach clearly, including any limits to the provision it can offer. Finding the right fit is more valuable than hearing that every situation will be effortless.

3. How quickly will you tell us if our child is not flourishing?

A difficult transition is not necessarily a sign that a school is wrong for a child. New friendships, unfamiliar expectations and different languages can take time to navigate. What matters is whether adults notice concerns early, communicate honestly and act together. Parents should ask how schools recognise changes in attendance, motivation, friendships or emotional wellbeing, and when families become part of the conversation.

At La Garenne, wellbeing is a priority, with academic and pastoral care teams working together on individual plans to help students integrate from the beginning. This joined-up approach can make it easier to respond to a concern before it grows. Ask for examples of how the school follows up after an initial conversation and how progress is shared with parents. Clear communication is an essential part of meaningful care.

4. Are the opportunities in the brochure genuinely available to most students?

School websites often showcase inspiring activities, excellent facilities and memorable achievements. Those experiences can be valuable, but families should look beyond the photographs. Can a student who is new to a sport join in? Are creative and extracurricular activities accessible to beginners? How much individual attention is available in lessons, and how are different abilities accommodated?

La Garenne’s small classes are designed to give teachers the opportunity to adapt their approach to individual pupils. When visiting any school, ask to see ordinary lessons as well as special events. Speak to staff about how they differentiate tasks, provide feedback and help quieter students participate. The right school is not simply one that offers impressive opportunities; it is one where your child can realistically benefit from them.

5. How does the school work with parents when views differ?

Even strong school-family partnerships encounter disagreements. A parent may be concerned about a friendship, an academic decision or a boarding arrangement. The key is not whether difficult conversations ever happen, but how they are handled. Is there a clear route for raising concerns? Who listens first? What happens when a matter cannot be resolved immediately?

At La Garenne, parents are treated equally by the senior management team, and the school owner can become involved in mediation when needed. Families should feel comfortable asking about communication channels and escalation procedures before enrolling. A respectful partnership requires both sides to listen carefully, explain decisions and remain focused on the child’s interests, even when perspectives differ.

6. What happens after we accept the offer?

Admissions should not feel like a process that ends the moment a family signs an agreement. Starting at a new school involves practical preparation and emotional adjustment. Children may need help understanding routines, meeting classmates and building relationships with trusted adults. For international families, moving between countries and education systems can make the transition even more complex.

At La Garenne, the admissions team remains involved beyond student recruitment, monitoring how students are settling in and whether support from academic or pastoral care teams is needed. Parents can ask what happens before the first day, who checks in during the opening weeks and how feedback is gathered. A thoughtful transition process helps turn a promising first impression into a lasting sense of belonging.

7. Will the school remain stable throughout our child’s education?

Families are investing not only in the coming term but often in several years of learning and personal development. It is reasonable to ask about leadership continuity, long-term planning and the school’s connection to its local community. How does it preserve its values while adapting to new educational needs? What gives families confidence that the environment they choose today will remain dependable tomorrow?

La Garenne has an 80-year history and has been owned by the same family for three generations. That heritage forms part of its identity and its roots in the local community. History alone does not answer every question about the future, but it can provide a useful starting point for conversations about continuity, stewardship and educational purpose.

Looking Beyond the Prospectus

Choosing the right school is ultimately about finding an environment in which a particular child can learn, feel secure, build friendships and grow in confidence. Academic pathways and facilities matter, but so do the quieter details: the adult who notices a difficult day, the teacher who adjusts an explanation and the team that keeps a family informed.

During a school visit, give yourself time to observe everyday interactions. Ask how students describe their experience, how staff respond to different needs and what support looks like beyond the classroom. The most revealing answers are often specific and practical rather than polished promises.

For families exploring La Garenne International School, the admissions process is an opportunity to discuss these questions openly and consider whether its academic, pastoral and boarding environment is the right fit. A good school choice begins with honest questions and grows into a partnership built around the child.