Choosing the right school for your child is one of the biggest decisions you can make as a parent. Open days offer an insight into the school, as well as the chance to meet with members of staff and pupils.
Loretto School shares three things to consider when attending a school’s open day to ensure that you make the most of your visit and find the correct fit for your child.
The Atmosphere
First impressions count. Are you warmly welcomed when you arrive at the campus? Do staff and pupils seem eager and engaged, ready to show you around?
Look for interactions between pupils and staff – do they appear warm and respectful? Due to its size, every child at Loretto is known and nurtured, meaning that great relationships are forged between staff and pupils.
Naturally, every parent wants their child to be comfortable and feel a true sense of belonging at school. Open days are the perfect opportunity to observe whether interactions on the day are marked by kindness and respect, which will give a real insight into the school’s culture and atmosphere.
Opportunities
Whether it’s through extracurricular programmes or trips, opportunities beyond the classroom allow young people to grow and develop their confidence in a variety of settings.
When you visit a school, be sure to ask about the extracurricular activities on offer – the programme should be expansive enough to suit a broad range of interests, as well as introducing new possibilities, reflecting the school’s desire to develop well-rounded individuals.
Committed to the development of each individual child in mind, body, and spirit, a Loretto education ensures that young people have ample opportunities to discover their passions and expand their horizons.
Every Loretto Open Day gives visitors a chance to see firsthand the variety of activities (there are over 80 on offer) and find out more about them directly from the staff and pupils involved.
A Focus on the Individual
For every pupil to achieve their very best, it’s essential that they are known and nurtured as individuals.
Ask questions about class sizes, pupil teacher ratios, how relationships are developed and strengthened between pupils and staff (i.e. tutor systems, pastoral care), and how learning is tailored to suit the diverse needs of the individual pupils within the school community.
Overall, a school open day should provide clarity around whether this is somewhere your child would thrive. And remember, as parents, you know what is right for your child, so remember to listen to what your intuition is telling you, because it’s likely giving you a clear steer.
Interested in finding out more about Loretto? The school hosts open events throughout the academic year, in addition to individual visits, which are available year-round. To register for an upcoming September open day, contact the Admissions Team at admissions@loretto.com or on 0131 653 4455.
