A parent's guide to choosing a school for your child.

Choosing a school is one of the bigger decisions parents make for their child, and it goes well beyond a school's reputation. It is worth looking closely at what each type of school actually offers before deciding.

Public schools

Public schools offer a diverse, community-focused environment, usually with a wide range of facilities and extracurricular activities at little or no cost. For families who want a strong local community and inclusive environment, this is often the right fit.

Selective schools

Selective schools are designed for academically strong students, usually with smaller class sizes and a more demanding curriculum. Entry is through the Selective High School Placement Test or a school-specific placement exam. This suits a child who does well in a competitive academic environment and wants to be stretched.

Private schools

Private schools generally offer smaller class sizes, a broad mix of academic and extracurricular options, and modern facilities, in exchange for tuition fees. Many families choose them for the individual attention and range of subjects on offer.

What to check regardless of school type

• Philosophy: Does the school's approach match your family's values and priorities?
• Support for learning needs: How does the school support both students who need extra help and those who are ahead of the curriculum?
• Curriculum and activities: Is there a broad enough range of subjects and extracurricular options for your child's interests?
• Environment: Does the school feel safe, welcoming and well run when you actually visit?

Practical steps

• Visit in person and watch how teachers interact with students, not just what the brochure says.
• Ask directly about support systems, class sizes and how the school communicates with parents.
• Involve your child in the conversation. Their comfort with a school matters more than it might seem on paper.
• Consider the practical logistics: distance, travel time and how that fits with the rest of the family's routine.

In short

There is no single "best" school, only the school that best fits a particular child and family. Public schools offer strong community ties, selective schools bring academic stretch, and private schools offer more individual attention for a fee. Visiting in person and asking direct questions will tell you more than any ranking or brochure.