In the digital age of instant news, interactive review sites and numerous league tables how do you decide which independent school is the best for your child? This text explains the sorts of things you should be doing to help pick the right school for your son or daughter.

Should I take notice of league tables that are produced by reputable organisations such as the Times and BBC?

Each year several organisations produce academic league tables of A-Levels and GCSEs as well as giving schools 'value-added' scores. The thing to remember with these league tables is that they all have their own criteria and methodology for calculating which school is the 'best'. Another thing to remember is that every child is different and not all pupils will benefit from a school that is consistently at the top of the league tables year on year.

Independent school year books are a great resource for reviews aren't they?

There are many books that are published each year stuffed with reviews about many independent schools. They are useful tools if used in the right way; parents must remember that these are subjective opinions based on one person's experience and not to be taken as gospel. Your thoughts on the school could be drastically different. So, as long as you keep this in mind they are not to be disregarded altogether. As with all resources looking at independent schools it is always a good idea to put them into context and consider who, and why, someone is writing the review. Are they looking to promote the school? Are they giving accurate advice? Once again, by all means use these guides but as a complementary resource along with other research.

What is the best method of comparing schools?

Inspection reports, websites, reviews and league tables are all useful indicators of a schools success but there is no substitute for visiting and having a look around. If possible it is always a good idea to talk to pupils at the school to get a sense of the type of student your child will become in that environment. Are the children confident, friendly and happy? When visiting an independent school it is advisable to take a list of questions to ask the person showing you around. Some examples of things to ask are:
- Typically, how many students are in a class?
- What access do boarders have to the facilities after lessons have finished?
- How much direct contact will we, as parents, have with teachers?
- Do you cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs?
- What is the percentage of school leavers that go onto university?
- What support mechanisms are there for those who struggle with maths
and English?
- Are you considering offering any other curricula in the future like the IB or Pre-U?
- What clubs and extra-curricular activities are on offer for students, even if they don't board?
- How many hours of compulsory sport is there?
- Does the school offer the Duke of Edinburgh's Award or any volunteer schemes for students?

How do I make the final decision?

All of these resources are available easily but nobody can make your mind up for you. The independent sector is successful because the flexibility its independence affords it. This means that you can choose a school that matches your child, effectively giving your child a bespoke education. Use the reviews, league tables and websites but remember that none of these can even come close to experiencing the school for yourself.