Is there such a thing as a school which is highly academic and at the same time very nurturing?

I’ve been getting this question a lot in my Additional Consultations with parents applying to schools for their children.

As a mother myself, I know how important it is to make the ‘right’ decision when it comes to my child’s education.

Take away that pressure from yourself by knowing that there is no ‘right’ decision. There is merely a decision.

The majority of the parents that I speak to want the highest quality education for their children as a priority. At the same time they want a school that is highly nurturing.

These are the two most important factors when it comes to choosing the ‘right’ education for their children.

Highest quality education

Nurturing environment

With a myriad of schools out there to choose from, some of my clients feel completely overwhelmed when choosing their schools to apply to.

Many of my clients look at exit results to see the results the schools have achieved (11+, GCSA, A levels etc). They also look at the Universities children who have attended these schools have gone onto.

Of course, this is important especially if you want your child to be highly academic. However, don’t just look at the results. Don’t just look at the Ofsted report.

Actually go the schools. And don’t go just once. Go a few times. The only way to know if the schools are ‘right’ for your child is to see days in action at the schools. You will get a feel for the school. You will get to see what the calibre of students are like that go to these schools already.

What one person thinks of the school might be very different than what someone else thinks of the school. Disregard anyone else’s opinion. The only opinion that matters is yours.

‘Highly academic schools that are nurturing’ is a very subjective phrase.

There are also far too many variables to consider such as the teacher/ teachers your child will have. The types of children that will be in their class. The leadership in place at the time.

‘Nurturing’ means different things to different people. What is nurturing to me might not be nurturing to you.

Your child can be ‘highly academic’ at any school. I firmly believe this. I believe the education they receive at home is just as important as the education that they will receive at school.

So please don’t fixate on this. Choose 6-7 schools to apply to and then when you have all of the offers in your hand, you decide what you believe is ‘right’ for your child.

Oh and one more thing.

Don’t be scared to pivot. If for any reason it isn’t ‘right’ for your child, be ready to try again somewhere else. Nothing has gone wrong.