Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision. While brochures, prospectuses, and the school’s website can provide a great picture of an independent school, Open Days present an opportunity to explore the environment for yourself, meet teachers and pupils, and gain real insight into the school’s ethos and community.
Before visiting, it is a good idea to determine which factors are most important to you and your child. Define what the optimal learning environment looks like, ask the right questions, and ensure that the school offers the best opportunities to help your child fulfil their potential.
What happens at an Open Day?
Typically, an Open Day will offer a mixture of talks and tours that invite you to ask questions and learn more about the school. For example, at The Downs Malvern, our events feature a Welcome Address from our Headmaster, Andy Nuttall, before allowing prospective families to tour the school with current pupils while meeting staff along the way—an excellent opportunity to ask them about their experience of the school. Our tours include classrooms, workshops, sports facilities, boarding facilities, and even our smallholding and miniature steam railway!
Top tip: If you would like more time to discuss your questions, ask to book an additional private tour of the school. This will also allow you to see the children in action and gain additional insight into the school on a ‘normal’ school day.
Who Should I Talk to at an Open Day?
It is a great idea to speak to as many staff and pupils as possible. Where possible, it is worth seeking out the Headmaster, Registrar, and Heads of Department, as well as pupils across different year groups; helping to give you an authentic view of the school from a variety of perspectives.
Speaking to senior pupils can be incredibly enlightening as they will be able to discuss how they have developed during their time at the school. Ask about their favourite subjects, extracurricular activities, future aspirations, and the support they receive to prepare them for senior school. Don’t be afraid to ask why they chose their school compared to others.
What Questions Should I Ask at a Prep School Open Day?
When considering questions to ask at a Prep School Open Day, you may want to consider the following areas:
Ethos and Educational Values
- Do your own values align with the school’s?
- Does the school promote a learning culture that will inspire your child?
Curriculum
- What is the structure of a typical school day and academic year?
- Which subjects are compulsory, and which are optional?
- What teaching methodologies are used in the classroom?
- How are parents informed about their child’s progress and areas needing improvement?
- What support is offered to pupils who are struggling academically?
- How does the curriculum prepare pupils for secondary education and beyond?
- How does the school prepare pupils for examinations and scholarship applications?
- What qualifications and ongoing training do the teachers have?
At The Downs Malvern, we provide a two-year bespoke Baccalaureate course for pupils in Years 7 and 8, enabling them to refine the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to thrive in future studies and beyond.
Results
- What are the school’s results in standardised tests?
- How do pupils typically perform in national assessments compared to national averages?
- How does the school track and support academic progress throughout the year?
- What percentage of pupils gain admission to selective senior schools at 13+?
- Extra-curricular and Co-curricular Activities
- What extra-curricular activities are offered by the school?
- Are there any unique clubs or societies that pupils can join?
- How does the school support pupils in developing their talents in the arts, sport, and academics?
- Are extra-curricular activities included in the fees?
Facilities
- What facilities does the school have to offer both in and out of the classroom?
- Is the school accessible for pupils with additional physical needs?
- If you are able to, dine on campus—do you like the food options and dining hall?
- Where is the school located, and how large is the campus?
The Downs Malvern is located on a 55-acre campus, set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the base of the Malvern Hills. In addition to superb facilities for all areas of the curriculum, our location provides a peaceful and varied environment for our pupils to explore, including a smallholding, Market Garden, well-resourced Forest School, and even our miniature railway which runs for a ¼ mile around the campus.
Pastoral Care
- How does the school support pupils to transition between key stages?
- What does the school do to support the mental health and wellbeing of pupils?
- What systems are in place for pastoral care and counselling?
- Can you describe the pupil support teams or services available at the school?
- How does the school handle pupil conflict and bullying?
- What is the school’s approach to discipline and how are parents involved in such matters?
Boarding
- What boarding options are available, for example, full-time, weekly, flexible boarding?
- How do you ensure the health and safety of boarding pupils?
- What is the boarding accommodation like, and can we visit this?
- How do boarders spend their evenings and weekends?
- How are boarders supported with their homework?
- How does the school facilitate communication between boarders and their families?
If you are interested in your child boarding, it is essential that you meet with the boarding house staff, including the House Parents and Matrons, as these are the people who will be looking after your child and supporting their needs 24/7.
At The Downs Malvern, we offer a range of boarding packages designed to meet the diverse and evolving needs of busy families, with full, weekly, and flexi options available.
Admissions and Selection/Assessment Process
- What are the entry requirements?
- How does the prep school support and prepare pupils for their next step at senior school?
General Observations
- Is it warm and welcoming?
- How do staff and pupils interact with visitors?
- How do staff and pupils interact with each other?
- Are staff and pupils proactive and keen to talk to you?
- Are pupils polite and confident?
- Are classrooms vibrant and well-equipped?
- Do teachers speak passionately about their subjects?
It is also worth investigating the school’s online profile outside of their official website. Resources like The Good Schools Guide provide a wealth of information, as does a review of the school’s most recent ISI inspection report, which will let you know if it meets the required standards while identifying any areas in need of improvement.
Register for our next Open Day here.