Curriculum
If there is one aspect which is often overlooked when choosing schools – or just taken for granted – it's a school's curriculum. Parents might assume that the curriculum at all independent schools is the same – why would it be different? In fact, curricula is one of the areas which most defines the individuality of independent schools and gives them distinctiveness and identity. You can tell a lot about a school by precisely what it teaches – and what it does not.
Let's start with prep schools. The whole purpose of a prep school curriculum is to foster a love of learning. It covers all the basics of the National Curriculum but, by being independent, it has the freedom to go further and look beyond the basic topics. Good prep schools develop intellectual curiosity in pupils and this is helped by having subject specialist teachers. During these formative years, children begin to learn the skills of independent study and enquiry. They learn to disseminate information quickly, decode problems and put forward logical and well-developed arguments. And they also start to develop the discipline of using time properly and efficiently. They learn how to learn.
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This is exactly the sort of book which parents should be looking at to cut through the marketing glitz of independent school websites and prospectuses, and to focus in on the key issues around finding the right school for their child. Matthew's book offers a wealth of practical advice from someone who really knows the sector, giving parents all the right questions to ask of themselves and the schools they are visiting. If you're looking for a guide to tell you what the best school is, then this book isn't for you. If you want guidance and support to find the best school for your child, then look no further.
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Matthew's new and approachable parent guide to choosing a school is spot on. Naturally, the first thing I looked at was his commentary about Heads. Sage, sensible and savvy advice abounds, as does the caveats and cautions about over glossy marketing spin that schools pump out. The book is really well written, entirely from the perspective of supporting parents. It's also a gentle swipe at some of the nonsense schools promote and how to look past it. Parents, also take heed – there are really good pointers about how to be a great parent in your relationship with the school. Unglossed, direct and delivered with humour, Matthew's book helps make things easier for everyone, and in that way, your child has a better chance of being happy and thriving. Remember, it's a two-way relationship, you're not buying a washing machine.
