Checkout your optionsatopendays

Attending an open day is agreat chance to learn alot aboutthe ethosand cultureofasixth form or college.

It’s an opportunity for you to tour theschooland groundsand see everything from theclassrooms and librarytothe dinner hall andsports facilities

Attendinganopenday is thebest waytoget afeelfor theplace where you will be studying forthe next couple of years.

Insight

It’s also an opportunityfor you to speaktothe staff, includingthe headteacher or principal, as well students, whowill be abletogive youaninsightintowhatit’slike daytoday

Before theopenday,makesureto make alistofafew keyquestions to askinorder to getthe mostout of thevisit

Understandinghow many studentsare in each class, as well as thestructure of lessons, will give youanideaabout howyou will be educated

Otherquestions to askcould includetopics such as whoparents or carers wouldtalktoiftheyhad any concerns abouttheir child’sprogressorwellbeing

It’s also importanttoask how the school or collegechallenges high achieversand supports thosewho requireextra help as well as what strategies they have to ensure that children learnand achievewell.

If you have aspecial interest such as playinga musicalinstrumentor enjoy aparticularsport then asking about extra-curricular activities is also key.

Youcould also askifthere would be anytrips andeventstodevelop andwiden yourinterests and

Knowledgeoutside Theclassroom Curriculum

Oftencurrent pupils will be draftedintoshowprospective studentsaroundtheir classrooms and this will give agoodinsight into what lifeislikeat theschoolorcollege

If they areenthusiasticand motivatedthenthisa goodsignthat they arehappy

If it’s asixth form,thenasking aboutwhatsupport is availableto help students decide what to do af- terleaving school is important Find outiftheyhaveany links with employers andorganise work experience placements. When theopenday is finished,it should give you agoodfeelfor the school.Think abouthow you felt when you listened to stafforsaw theclassrooms.

Consider what you liked about thefacilities andifyou saworheard anything that concernedyou Colleges andsixth formsare also turningtotechnologytohelpthem showcasewhattheyhavetooffer prospectivepupilsand theirfamilies Virtualopendaysbecamepopularduringthe pandemic as away of offering aglimpse into life in theclassroom andshowcasingthe school’s facilities

Some will also arrangeonline question andanswersessionswith keystaff.Ifyou can’tmakeanopen day, then most will be able to organise an individual tour at aconvenient time foryou