Taking the long view

In the final chapter, Matthew reflects on the advice of Headteachers over the years during his time as an Education Editor. Choosing a school for your child can be pressured, stressful and difficult but sometimes it is necessary to step back and remember the bigger picture.

iStock.com/RichVintage

If you would like to share the Attain Guide with a friend – or subscribed to the eBook and decide you would prefer to read the print book – we can post you a copy. As a 'thank you', please use the discount code PRINT20 to save 20%. We also have an audiobook edition for £11.99. Not sure? Read what Heads think of the new Attain Guide

Buy Print Book Subscribe Audiobook

There is no doubt that choosing a school for your child – and especially the process of changing school – can quickly become pressured, stressful and difficult. Hopefully, the advice in this book helps to make the process a little easier but, as parents, we can sometimes end up too involved; although easy to say, it is the time to step back and remember the bigger picture.

Over my years as an education editor, I read a lot of advice from Headteachers. One of the best was a piece written by Peter Tait, who was Headmaster of Sherborne Preparatory School in Dorset for 17 years. He wrote an article for Attain entitled Ten Observations for Parents ¹⁰ and it helps put everything discussed in this book into perspective:

1. Don't be in such a hurry.
It does not help to push children before they are emotionally and physically ready. They will develop at different stages, so...

Feedback Logout

Guide contents

Swipe between chapters and click to select

Disclaimer: Independent education has a wide range of views and the use of quotations does not imply that these contributors share the same views as the author. The views and opinions of the author may also not necessarily be shared by all schools mentioned in this book. The author and publishers do not warrant, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that the contents are error-free and shall not be liable for any loss, however arising, as a result of the information contained in this book.

Wiltshire