Choosing a school in United Kingdom can feel like the most stressful part of moving with children. Online information rarely reveals what daily life is really like, and every family has different priorities. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision process — especially for families planning a relocation to London.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before comparing schools, establish your nonnegotiables. Most missteps come from evaluating everything at once without a clear priority list.
- Commute: how long you drive each day matters more than you expect.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: the language your child is exposed to all day.
- Support: learning support, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: structure, discipline, communication style.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expat families well:
A straightforward approach
- Shortlist by location first. In London, traffic can transform a decent school into a daily grind.
- Confirm availability and admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom reality. Class sizes, staff turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Do one visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Trust what you observe more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a single-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. It helps avoid the “everything feels similar” issue.
Important questions to ask schools
These questions often uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you integrate new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start and end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support children who are anxious or adapting to a new country?
- What is your policy on language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you manage heat and indoor/outdoor time during warmer months?
Costs and Logistics (The Part People Dread)
School choices aren't based on tuition alone. Consider the total daily/ongoing expenses:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing based on reputation alone: the day-to-day routine matters more.
- Overlooking commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn't.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than anticipated.
Bottom Line
The ideal school is typically the one that aligns with your family's actual schedule: its location, the support it offers, and everyday comfort for your child — not the one that relies on flashy advertising.
If you'd like help sorting priorities for London (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +44 20 7946 0555.