Open Day: the Oppidan Guide

Our admissions expert, Cat Sutherland Hawes, gives us the low down on how to pick the right school for your kids.

Cat brings decades of experience in Admissions at Latymer Upper and Wycombe Abbey. Working with us to advise parents on their options for schools, we’re hugely excited to be able to share Cat’s expertise with Oppidan families. 

01. Go with your gut 

For some (and it was for us with our girls) it’s a gut feeling.  You – and much more importantly – they, just feel right.  You identify with the values/ethos/spirit of the place.  You like what you see in the buildings, you like what the Head has to say, you are impressed by – but not overawed by – the pupils and staff you meet.  Yes, it might not all be perfect but go with your gut – if it feels right, it most likely is.  

02. Look at the head  

Ask yourself – do they look comfortable standing up there talking to you all?  Are they a natural communicator – not a showman, but a communicator?  Do you sense they genuinely love this School and it’s not just a career step? Do you, in chatting to other staff, get a feeling that the leadership team is strong and cohesive?   

Really important – do the kids know the Head?  Ask them how much they know about the Head, are they visible and approachable?  The pupils will give you a good sense of how much love there is (or isn’t) for the Head.   

03. The buildings 

Do the rooms have high ceilings, are they well lit, is there facility for letting air in, is the temperature controlled – all the things that help children learn well and be healthy 

Are the conditions cramped?  Ask the pupils taking you round if this is a normal set up or are there normally more desks in the room.  They will be honest.  Look at the facilities on offer, but in relation to your own child – if keen on drama, what is the theatre like?  For musicians what are the practice rooms like, are there enough for them to have free use of them, what are the acoustics like in the auditoriums?  Sports fans will want to look at all that’s on offer there and make sure it’s up to scratch.   

N.B- be wary of attaching too much importance to something that will not be a part of their lives, whatever that is. 

04. The people 

Talk to as many staff as you can. Watch how they engage with each other – are staff having a laugh and chat whilst not talking to you?  Do the teaching and support staff engage with each other?  A mark of a happy school is when you can just see and feel everyone rubbing along together, as equals.   

05. The kids 

Pupils will show you around and depending on the size of the school and number of attendees they may or may not be hand-picked.  Ask them to chat about things generally – most are unguarded and will happily warble on about what they like/don’t like but remember it is personal to them and may not be the same experience for your child.   

06. The Admissions Staff    

Don’t take up their time on Open Day asking questions you can find answers to on the website.  Don’t tell them all about your child then – not the right forum.   

Do introduce yourself very briefly and say what a great day you’ve had/what a good experience it was.  Do ask to have a chat with them (not then – but put down a marker) if you have a specific issue you want to discuss – they will then remember you and it will make things much easier.   

A word on boarding 

the most important thing is that the child wants to board and is excited by the opportunities that offers.  So, take your time to really find out about what their day would look like, how busy they would be, what the advantages would be over day school and how it would work for you as a family.  And just make sure they don’t think it is one long sleepover – it isn’t! 

When is the right time? 

My best advice is to go along with your child, at the right time – so if they’re applying for Year 7 entry, go when they’re in Year 5, Year 9 go in Year 6 if deferred entry and Year 7 if assessment is in year of entry.   

Any earlier and they are not just able to engage in the process and you probably don’t yet know what will suit them. Good teaching and strong work ethics are what you’re looking for.   

Don’t be put off by the numbers – some of the Open Days I’ve been at, and used to run, were huge – four sessions, 150 families at each.  Remember not everyone will apply, those who do will apply to lots of schools and not all places offered will be taken.  So, you have as good a chance as the rest of them.  

Make it easy 

Don’t make it an ordeal for your child.  It’s about you and them seeing the School, learning about it and helping them choose their future.   Open Day is the school selling itself, not the other way round. This won’t be your only visit.