Top Questions to Ask at a School Open Day in 2025
By Jayne Gray, Admissions Manager, Queen’s College Taunton
Choosing the right school for your child can feel like such a huge decision, can’t it? When you’re looking, it’s honestly overwhelming with all the different options out there. And then you get bombarded with information from every direction – online searches leading to endless social media ads, well-meaning friends sharing their opinions, maybe even folks in the neighbourhood chiming in. It can be a lot of conflicting advice! That’s why, from a parent’s perspective, actually stepping foot inside a school open day yourself is such a crucial step.
Most schools are really good about offering several open events throughout the year, and it’s highly recommended to try and go to one. It’s a fantastic chance to meet some of the key teachers and staff, and you usually get a tour of the school buildings and grounds. What many find particularly helpful is that these tours are often led by a current student. It really gives you a genuine feel for the school – you can see how the students act, how they represent their school, and get a real sense of the place.
With all the choices and information swirling around, it might be helpful to consider some questions that often come to mind when visiting schools. Hopefully, they’ll give you a starting point for what to ask at an open event.
First off, it’s always good to know: what makes this school really special? What’s their unique spark? Do they shine in sports, the arts, or maybe drama? Are they known for their amazing academic results? Or do they really focus on each child as an individual? Because let’s face it, every child is different. Even if a school has a certain reputation, it’s worth digging deeper to see the full picture of what they offer – you might be surprised by the balance.
Another thing to explore is their co-curricular or club program. Do they have options beyond the usual subjects? These kinds of activities can open up a whole new world for some children, things they might never have considered! From Model UN to mountain biking, or even something like crochet, it’s great to see if there are opportunities to really engage your child’s interests outside the classroom. This feels especially important when thinking about boarding schools – you want to know your child will be busy and happy, not just stuck in their room.
Which leads to a really important question to consider… What’s their take on devices and technology? Do the students need their own tablets for lessons? Are they allowed to have their phones during the day, or do they have to hand them in? With chidren having so much access to technology these days, it’s vital that schools teach them how to use it responsibly. So, it’s always worth asking how the school supports this.
School values are also high on many parents’ lists. Do their core beliefs line up with what’s important to your family? How do they actually put those values into practice in the school’s day-to-day life? You know, the words themselves are one thing, but seeing it in action is what really matters.
Then there’s the question of whether the school is selective or non-selective. What kind of entrance exams or criteria do they have? Are there any important dates for scholarship applications that you need to be aware of? The last thing you want is to find a school you love and then miss a crucial deadline!
It’s also important to consider, how does this school prepare your child for the future? Of course, most schools help with university applications, but what else do they offer? Are they teaching basic life skills, like sewing a button or managing a budget? And what about skills that will help them stand out when they’re applying for university or jobs? Things are changing so fast, so it’s worth asking if they are helping children stay ahead of the curve.
Getting a sense of the daily or weekly routine is also key. Would the school schedule fit with your family life? For example, are there Saturday classes? How much homework do they typically get? These are all things to think about if you want to still have quality family time on the weekends.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, these questions should give you a strong foundation to explore the schools you’re considering. But above all, trust your instincts.
Now, this isn’t everything, and you’ll likely have your own specific questions, but hopefully this gives you a good starting point for those open events.
But honestly, after all the research and questions, the most important thing often comes down to the feeling you get when you’re there, talking to the teachers and the students. That feeling of knowing your child will be safe, happy, and nurtured as they figure things out, grow into themselves, and become more independent – all while still loving to learn. Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what every parent hopes for?
